Yep. Brio is the probably the best configured engine if you have a practice of revv-ing hard. The 4 pot engine is a gem. Only depends how you ride it.
Last edited:
New Honda Brio SMT - Ownership Review
- Thread Starter sudeep.roy
- Start date
I am a very sedate driver and mostly do light-footed driving. I don't revv my engine too hard. To be frank i hardly remember revving my Brio more than 3000 rpm except on a couple of occasions. I always drive my Brio in the Honda's "ECO" mode. At first during my initial driving days i used to try hard to stay on ECO mode. Now it has become a second nature to me. Even without a conscious effort i stay 80-90% of the time in ECO Mode.
During sundays and public holidays when there is not much traffic on the main roads, i get an unbelievable fuel efficiency of over 30km/pl with my Brio with AC on (according to the Mileage Indicator in the dash board). Unfortunately i cannot maintain it during the rest of the week days due to heavy bumper to bumper traffic and therefore my fuel efficiency drops to around 15km/pl (as per the Mileage Indicator of Brio). I know this is not accurate as the full tank to full tank method. So when i tested it using the full tank to full tank method i consistently got a fuel efficiency between 13-15km/pl. As per my observations the Dash board fuel efficiency/mileage indicator is fairly accurate with an error of 1 to 2km
I just want to know if it is bad for the engine if i dont revv it hard enough once in a while. Read somewhere that revving up the engine once in a while is good but i couldn't care less.
I would like to know about Engine Idling for Honda Brio. Is it necessary to idle the petrol engine after a long drive? As far as i know only diesel powered engines require idling. But my friend who owns an i10 does this and tells me it is good for the engine. Wish someone experienced could shed more light on this.
One last thing... My Brio VMT had dual horns and i still don't know how to change the horn sound![[embarass]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Embarass.gif "Embarass [embarass]")
Glanced through the manual but couldn't find it. I would really appreciate if you could tell me how to do this![[:D]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Big%20Smile.gif "Big Smile [:D]")
During sundays and public holidays when there is not much traffic on the main roads, i get an unbelievable fuel efficiency of over 30km/pl with my Brio with AC on (according to the Mileage Indicator in the dash board). Unfortunately i cannot maintain it during the rest of the week days due to heavy bumper to bumper traffic and therefore my fuel efficiency drops to around 15km/pl (as per the Mileage Indicator of Brio). I know this is not accurate as the full tank to full tank method. So when i tested it using the full tank to full tank method i consistently got a fuel efficiency between 13-15km/pl. As per my observations the Dash board fuel efficiency/mileage indicator is fairly accurate with an error of 1 to 2km
I just want to know if it is bad for the engine if i dont revv it hard enough once in a while. Read somewhere that revving up the engine once in a while is good but i couldn't care less.
I would like to know about Engine Idling for Honda Brio. Is it necessary to idle the petrol engine after a long drive? As far as i know only diesel powered engines require idling. But my friend who owns an i10 does this and tells me it is good for the engine. Wish someone experienced could shed more light on this.
One last thing... My Brio VMT had dual horns and i still don't know how to change the horn sound
Glanced through the manual but couldn't find it. I would really appreciate if you could tell me how to do this
Last edited:
I just want to know if it is bad for the engine if i dont revv it hard enough once in a while. Read somewhere that revving up the engine once in a while is good but i couldn't care less.
I would like to know about Engine Idling for Honda Brio. Is it necessary to idle the petrol engine after a long drive? As far as i know only diesel powered engines require idling. But my friend who owns an i10 does this and tells me it is good for the engine. Wish someone experienced could shed more light on this.
One last thing... My Brio VMT had dual horns and i still don't know how to change the horn sound Glanced through the manual but couldn't find it. I would really appreciate if you could tell me how to do this
I would like to know about Engine Idling for Honda Brio. Is it necessary to idle the petrol engine after a long drive? As far as i know only diesel powered engines require idling. But my friend who owns an i10 does this and tells me it is good for the engine. Wish someone experienced could shed more light on this.
One last thing... My Brio VMT had dual horns and i still don't know how to change the horn sound
Glanced through the manual but couldn't find it. I would really appreciate if you could tell me how to do this
Nothing wrong if you dont revv it hard but atleast once in a day there is a situation when you have to revv hard and you are left with no other option. (many steep roads here in bangalore, atleast in the route i travel daily and oh yes the malls parking lot. How can you forget that).
It is necessary to idle your engine before and after you put it under any load. There should not be sudden increase or decrease in temperature of engine (on and off). It will increase the engine life. Start your engine, idle it and in the mean time get your seatbelt plugged in and adjust the music. 30 sec of idling is enough. I have heard many people tell that idling is a must in turbo diesel engines, but why not follow it in petrol engines too when all it does is have a positive effect on your engine life.
Have the same doubt regarding the horns. Planning to get them changed. May be nitin, sudeep or any other expert can shed their views on the same.
![[:)]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Smile.gif "Smile [:)]")
Thread Starter
#679
Hey Rahul,
Long time man! and yeah time flies.. :)
And buddy, if my thread/posts helped you, the pleasure is mine.
Even I have claimed zero dep twice..![[clap]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Clap.gif "Clap [clap]")
Keep Posted!
Long time man! and yeah time flies.. :)
And buddy, if my thread/posts helped you, the pleasure is mine.
Even I have claimed zero dep twice..
Keep Posted!
Hey Rahul,
Long time man! and yeah time flies.. :)
And buddy, if my thread/posts helped you, the pleasure is mine.
Even I have claimed zero dep twice..
Keep Posted!
Long time man! and yeah time flies.. :)
And buddy, if my thread/posts helped you, the pleasure is mine.
Even I have claimed zero dep twice..
Keep Posted!
. I was told by the dealer that the 3rd Service is a "major service" and things like Filter, Oil etc have to be changed. He told me that the approximate price for the 3rd service will be between Rs4000 to Rs5000.I am not aware of these things about car servicing and i need your advice on this matter. I would like to know what needs to be done/changed during the 3rd service of 10,000km or 1 year. It would be really helpful if you can also tell me how much will the approximate servicing fee be so that i wont be taken for a ride by the service guy. Any other important things that i need to know are welcome.
Thanks,
Rahul
Thread Starter
#681
How is your Brio doing buddy? Have you completed your 10k Km? I am planning to take my Brio for 3rd service in a couple of days. I have successfully completed 10,000 km yesterday. I was told by the dealer that the 3rd Service is a "major service" and things like Filter, Oil etc have to be changed. He told me that the approximate price for the 3rd service will be between Rs4000 to Rs5000.
I am not aware of these things about car servicing and i need your advice on this matter. I would like to know what needs to be done/changed during the 3rd service of 10,000km or 1 year. It would be really helpful if you can also tell me how much will the approximate servicing fee be so that i wont be taken for a ride by the service guy. Any other important things that i need to know are welcome.
Thanks,
Rahul
. I was told by the dealer that the 3rd Service is a "major service" and things like Filter, Oil etc have to be changed. He told me that the approximate price for the 3rd service will be between Rs4000 to Rs5000.I am not aware of these things about car servicing and i need your advice on this matter. I would like to know what needs to be done/changed during the 3rd service of 10,000km or 1 year. It would be really helpful if you can also tell me how much will the approximate servicing fee be so that i wont be taken for a ride by the service guy. Any other important things that i need to know are welcome.
Thanks,
Rahul
Hi Rahul,
My Brio is doing pretty well buddy. I will be touching the 10K mark soon (9.7k Now), and I am through with my 3rd service already. I got it done at 8.8k kms I think. It was as per the 6 month service schedule.
As far as I remember, I paid a little above 2.8k for the service including oil & filter changes.
thanks sudeep, that should help me to some extent as we both stay at namma bengaluru. I have also most clocked 13.5 Kms, and probably expect to hit the 20k mark in the next 3 months.
Where would u recommend the service? magnum or dakshin?
do u have a breakup of the bill copy, so that i can use it for my ref? Ramu
Where would u recommend the service? magnum or dakshin?
do u have a breakup of the bill copy, so that i can use it for my ref? Ramu
Thread Starter
#683
thanks sudeep, that should help me to some extent as we both stay at namma bengaluru. I have also most clocked 13.5 Kms, and probably expect to hit the 20k mark in the next 3 months.
Where would u recommend the service? magnum or dakshin?
do u have a breakup of the bill copy, so that i can use it for my ref? Ramu
Where would u recommend the service? magnum or dakshin?
do u have a breakup of the bill copy, so that i can use it for my ref? Ramu
ok thanks, i completed 14.2k today, but the gearbox is still rubbish. I plan to complete 20k before i give the car for the 3rd service.
The gearbox is still very hard when it goes into reverse, so i plan to tell them do a complete clutch overall. thoughts?
ramu
The gearbox is still very hard when it goes into reverse, so i plan to tell them do a complete clutch overall. thoughts?
ramu
Thread Starter
#685
As far as service is concerned, I suggest you to stick to the Honda Schedule i.e 10K Kms or 6 months whichever is earlier.
I am through with my 3rd service already. The Gear box seems to be much better than how it was initially. I think there is more room for improvement in my case as I have clocked 10k Kms only.
I am through with my 3rd service already. The Gear box seems to be much better than how it was initially. I think there is more room for improvement in my case as I have clocked 10k Kms only.
Hi Sudeep.Roy,
Your 'Ownership Review' has helped me immensely with my decision on buying a car. So, Thanks a lot.
And I have decided to post my views in your review itself as I though it fit to do so. Hope you donot mind.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before buying a car , we normally do our homework. I was no exception. My homework started primarily on the internet and with some of my neighbours and colleagues who already owned cars.
And so it happened with BRIO too. I first saw this car on a big hoarding. I liked the smashing front look of this car. And the classy rear butt with brilliant chrome H O N D A on it. Though I never owned a Honda bike or a car, the word has an instant connect with me. When I was in school/college, the legendary Formula One driver (many say , ‘the all-time best F1 driver’) Ayrton Senna used to drive their engines. And all the Honda Cities and the Civics are only going to make the connect deeper. And not to talk of Honda’s brilliant reputation. And so it was pure love. And that too at first sight.
My dad has a swift @ home. And I have driven it extensively on highways and I should say it is one brilliant car, albeit a bit old fashioned in looks. It does full justice to its name S W I F T. So when I wanted to buy a car, as swift is already at home, I had 3 cars in my mind that I really liked.
1. Honda BRIO
2. Ford Figo
3. Maruti Wagon R
For some reason, i10 is never on my agenda. Something in it, does not strike a chord with me.
After visiting dealerships and having test rides and after going through reams and reams of reviews on the internet , I decided to buy Honda BRIO. I dropped the idea of Wagon R as it had high center-of-gravity and with it comes body roll. Though a value-for-money car, not so much fun-to-drive. And there is an element of risk around the corners at high speeds.
In my experience, Honda dealership came across as more attuned to prospective customers needs and are lot more professional in their approach. They have patience and time to sit with a customer and work a way through. I am also impressed by the neat and expansive showrooms they have. One such was Pride Honda, Hyderabad.
One funky thought though:- I like the Ford Figo interiors a lot. They are colourful and vibrant. Put a Honda engine into a Ford Figo petrol and I would lap it up.
After owning a Blue VMT trim for 2 and half months now, my take on the Honda BRIO is as below:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Honda’s Philosophy in overall Design : ‘Man Maximum and Machine Minimum' principle. This is the most impressive thing. Cabin space belies its lean exterior dimensions.
Overall feel of the car in the traffic : It runs like a hare in the city's crowded traffic. On open roads, it’s a hound. Runs like a mad dog.![[drive]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Drive.gif "Drive [drive]")
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big 10 Pros :![[thumbsup]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Thumbs%20Up.png "Thumbs Up [thumbsup]")
1. Sheer ease of driving. Super light steering.
2. fastest car in the segment doling out 88 bhp ; best power-to-weight ratio
3. Fun to Drive. Super to handle.
4. Roomy and comfortable cabin space which belies its small exterior.
5. Honda Brand and its formidable reputation in 'DQR'.
6. Value for money.
7. Good Audio.
8. Ease in parking and overall visibility. Low turning radius.
9. Like a F1 car, this road car is lean, mean and super fit. (among all its competitors)
10. Driving around corners is a breeze. Having low centre of gravity will help its cause. No body roll.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big 3 Cons:
Honda Car India : I-Vtech
I have read this piece in the link above and somehow reasoned why the engine may be sluggish once it takes off from a complete halt. What I fathomed is that for deriving greater fuel efficiency at lower speeds, it keeps its valves open narrowly so as to allow only a small quantity of fuel to get through the inlet value for the onward combustion.
You might have read many reviews till now. So I would not like to bore you again mentioning the same things. But would like to dwell more on some specific things:
DQR (Durability, Quality & Reliability)
In order to understand this particular aspect, we need to have a look at how Formula One cars are built. They are built only to last one race. They are built to be driven at high RPMs . As high as 18,000 rpm. Because they need to have the such great power with a minimum overall weight of the car (in order to achieve the best power-to-weight ratio), the strength of the materials also need to be that great. So in a Formula one car , we need to have ‘Reliability’ that the car will race without fault for one good race and the ‘Quality’ of the materials to be used need to be top notch, but the ‘Durability’ aspect need not be there. As the same Formula One car will or need not be used for another race. In fact if a Formula One car has something in it to keep it going for one more race, then certainly it is carrying some more material which it can shed. So the ‘Durability’ of Formula One car = One good race (nothing more , nothing less)
But in road cars, while buying one, we need to take in to account , all 3 factors. And choosing a company which has a reputation for taking care of all these. Because for a road car, ‘Durability’ is one of the essential factors as the car is going to stay with the owner for years together unlike a Formula One car which becomes almost a disposable thing once a race is done, except for usage in some R&D stuff.
I am of the firm opinion that companies like Honda & Suzuki score in this respect. Japanese and the German cars are the ones you want to own, if you want to keep them for many years and keep away from troubling and niggling issues. This is entirely my personal opinion though. No offence to any other car makers.
Please note :- Honda Brio was the highest ranked Premium Compact Car in the proprietary J.D Power Asia Pacific 2012 India Initial Quality Study. And also the internet is awash with very good ownership reports of Honda cars. Not to mention the expert reviews.
For example :- AutocarIndia review on Honda BRIO begins as below
“They say that too much of a good thing can be bad. But you don’t need to spend too much time in this little Honda to realise that the Brio is an exception. And after having the car for 10 months, and the countless hours of entertainment it has provided, saying that it is hard to let go of is an understatement.
Right since the day it entered our long-term fleet around 14,000km ago, it was plain for all to see that there was something special about this car. Its cabin space belied its compact exterior proportions – four of us could be seated in it in absolute comfort. Another aspect of the Brio that surprised us was the driving experience. The nonchalant ease with which our Brio handled city and highway conditions alike is something very few cars in this segment can manage, and in true Honda fashion, the 1.2-litre 88bhp motor really came alive in the upper reaches of the rev band. Goading the car all the way to its 6500rpm limiter was an aural treat.
The Brio wasn’t quite that responsive at slow engine speeds, though – its low-end torque isn’t great. But rev it hard and it turns into a completely different animal. The smooth petrol engine made darting into fast-closing gaps in traffic a cinch thanks to its brilliant handling, and highway overtaking manoeuvres were child’s play for the baby Honda. Make no mistake, this is one seriously quick hatchback.”
Source :
Honda Brio 1.2 | Cars Long Termer | Budget hatchbacks | Autocar India
And for BRIO Vs i10 , the below link is a must read comparison. And no prize for guessing which is the winner.
Honda Brio vs Hyundai i10 | Feature | Autocar India
And for BRIO Vs Ford Figo comparison :
Confused B/w Honda Brio and Ford Figo Petrol?- Detailed Comparison
You may also go through the below interesting link:
Honda Brio review - Brio-lliant! | Business Line
For general car ‘Terminology’ :
Formula 1® - The Official F1® Website
Your 'Ownership Review' has helped me immensely with my decision on buying a car. So, Thanks a lot.
And I have decided to post my views in your review itself as I though it fit to do so. Hope you donot mind.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before buying a car , we normally do our homework. I was no exception. My homework started primarily on the internet and with some of my neighbours and colleagues who already owned cars.
And so it happened with BRIO too. I first saw this car on a big hoarding. I liked the smashing front look of this car. And the classy rear butt with brilliant chrome H O N D A on it. Though I never owned a Honda bike or a car, the word has an instant connect with me. When I was in school/college, the legendary Formula One driver (many say , ‘the all-time best F1 driver’) Ayrton Senna used to drive their engines. And all the Honda Cities and the Civics are only going to make the connect deeper. And not to talk of Honda’s brilliant reputation. And so it was pure love. And that too at first sight.
My dad has a swift @ home. And I have driven it extensively on highways and I should say it is one brilliant car, albeit a bit old fashioned in looks. It does full justice to its name S W I F T. So when I wanted to buy a car, as swift is already at home, I had 3 cars in my mind that I really liked.
1. Honda BRIO
2. Ford Figo
3. Maruti Wagon R
For some reason, i10 is never on my agenda. Something in it, does not strike a chord with me.
After visiting dealerships and having test rides and after going through reams and reams of reviews on the internet , I decided to buy Honda BRIO. I dropped the idea of Wagon R as it had high center-of-gravity and with it comes body roll. Though a value-for-money car, not so much fun-to-drive. And there is an element of risk around the corners at high speeds.
In my experience, Honda dealership came across as more attuned to prospective customers needs and are lot more professional in their approach. They have patience and time to sit with a customer and work a way through. I am also impressed by the neat and expansive showrooms they have. One such was Pride Honda, Hyderabad.
One funky thought though:- I like the Ford Figo interiors a lot. They are colourful and vibrant. Put a Honda engine into a Ford Figo petrol and I would lap it up.
After owning a Blue VMT trim for 2 and half months now, my take on the Honda BRIO is as below:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Honda’s Philosophy in overall Design : ‘Man Maximum and Machine Minimum' principle. This is the most impressive thing. Cabin space belies its lean exterior dimensions.
Overall feel of the car in the traffic : It runs like a hare in the city's crowded traffic. On open roads, it’s a hound. Runs like a mad dog.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Power and torque : One of the fastest car in the segment with the best power to weight ratio.
- Ride Quality : less choppy ride (jerky ride) ; does not get tossed around that much.
- NHV (Noise, Harshness, Vibration) : Engine Refinement. This is a gem.
- Poise and Balance: Aerodynamic Design. Sexy triangles every where. Good poise and balance.
- Handling or Steering precision and feedback : Butter smooth steering. You can put the car precisely where you want.
- Parking : Good all-round visibility. Low turning radius.
- Comfort : Good Interior Space, Nice ergonomic seating, with ok leg space
- Ingress and Egress : Fairly ok
- Fuel Economy : Good (Bumper-to-Bumper :11 and fairly open roads : 16) ; On highways , it should give more.
- Brand Image : Terrific. Mind blowing.
- Audio: This audio is also very much to my liking. Soft on your ear and long on quality.
- Gear Box and shifts : Could have been more precise, smooth and slick.
- Driving around corners : Bliss. Great fun.
- Driving on open roads : Pure pleasure. Gives a mighty kick.
- Owner's degree of happiness : Every day , when I wake up , the first thing I want to do is to put my feet on its throttle and feel elated.
- Total Cost of Ownership: Peace of mind that comes with Honda's DQR. Durability. Quality. Reliability.
- On-road Price : Value for money
- Exterior Design : Cute. Distinctive. Futuristic. As against the boring and the same old designs we see on the roads.
Big 10 Pros :
1. Sheer ease of driving. Super light steering.
2. fastest car in the segment doling out 88 bhp ; best power-to-weight ratio
3. Fun to Drive. Super to handle.
4. Roomy and comfortable cabin space which belies its small exterior.
5. Honda Brand and its formidable reputation in 'DQR'.
6. Value for money.
7. Good Audio.
8. Ease in parking and overall visibility. Low turning radius.
9. Like a F1 car, this road car is lean, mean and super fit. (among all its competitors)
10. Driving around corners is a breeze. Having low centre of gravity will help its cause. No body roll.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big 3 Cons:
- Gear box and gear shifts are not that precise. Not as per my expectation. My personal opinion.
- Boot space is just enough for me. If you ask me if this is a con for me, I would say no. So this point should not be here. But just because you might be wondering why boot space is not in the ‘-‘ ves, …
- Low-end torque could have been better.
- Head-lights brightness is not all that sufficient on highways. They do their job, but not with confidence
Honda Car India : I-Vtech
I have read this piece in the link above and somehow reasoned why the engine may be sluggish once it takes off from a complete halt. What I fathomed is that for deriving greater fuel efficiency at lower speeds, it keeps its valves open narrowly so as to allow only a small quantity of fuel to get through the inlet value for the onward combustion.
You might have read many reviews till now. So I would not like to bore you again mentioning the same things. But would like to dwell more on some specific things:
DQR (Durability, Quality & Reliability)
In order to understand this particular aspect, we need to have a look at how Formula One cars are built. They are built only to last one race. They are built to be driven at high RPMs . As high as 18,000 rpm. Because they need to have the such great power with a minimum overall weight of the car (in order to achieve the best power-to-weight ratio), the strength of the materials also need to be that great. So in a Formula one car , we need to have ‘Reliability’ that the car will race without fault for one good race and the ‘Quality’ of the materials to be used need to be top notch, but the ‘Durability’ aspect need not be there. As the same Formula One car will or need not be used for another race. In fact if a Formula One car has something in it to keep it going for one more race, then certainly it is carrying some more material which it can shed. So the ‘Durability’ of Formula One car = One good race (nothing more , nothing less)
But in road cars, while buying one, we need to take in to account , all 3 factors. And choosing a company which has a reputation for taking care of all these. Because for a road car, ‘Durability’ is one of the essential factors as the car is going to stay with the owner for years together unlike a Formula One car which becomes almost a disposable thing once a race is done, except for usage in some R&D stuff.
I am of the firm opinion that companies like Honda & Suzuki score in this respect. Japanese and the German cars are the ones you want to own, if you want to keep them for many years and keep away from troubling and niggling issues. This is entirely my personal opinion though. No offence to any other car makers.
Please note :- Honda Brio was the highest ranked Premium Compact Car in the proprietary J.D Power Asia Pacific 2012 India Initial Quality Study. And also the internet is awash with very good ownership reports of Honda cars. Not to mention the expert reviews.
For example :- AutocarIndia review on Honda BRIO begins as below
“They say that too much of a good thing can be bad. But you don’t need to spend too much time in this little Honda to realise that the Brio is an exception. And after having the car for 10 months, and the countless hours of entertainment it has provided, saying that it is hard to let go of is an understatement.
Right since the day it entered our long-term fleet around 14,000km ago, it was plain for all to see that there was something special about this car. Its cabin space belied its compact exterior proportions – four of us could be seated in it in absolute comfort. Another aspect of the Brio that surprised us was the driving experience. The nonchalant ease with which our Brio handled city and highway conditions alike is something very few cars in this segment can manage, and in true Honda fashion, the 1.2-litre 88bhp motor really came alive in the upper reaches of the rev band. Goading the car all the way to its 6500rpm limiter was an aural treat.
The Brio wasn’t quite that responsive at slow engine speeds, though – its low-end torque isn’t great. But rev it hard and it turns into a completely different animal. The smooth petrol engine made darting into fast-closing gaps in traffic a cinch thanks to its brilliant handling, and highway overtaking manoeuvres were child’s play for the baby Honda. Make no mistake, this is one seriously quick hatchback.”
Source :
Honda Brio 1.2 | Cars Long Termer | Budget hatchbacks | Autocar India
And for BRIO Vs i10 , the below link is a must read comparison. And no prize for guessing which is the winner.
Honda Brio vs Hyundai i10 | Feature | Autocar India
And for BRIO Vs Ford Figo comparison :
Confused B/w Honda Brio and Ford Figo Petrol?- Detailed Comparison
You may also go through the below interesting link:
Honda Brio review - Brio-lliant! | Business Line
For general car ‘Terminology’ :
Formula 1® - The Official F1® Website
Hi Sudeep.Roy,
Your 'Ownership Review' has helped me immensely with my decision on buying a car. So, Thanks a lot.
And I have decided to post my views in your review itself as I though it fit to do so. Hope you donot mind.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before buying a car , we normally do our homework. I was no exception. My homework started primarily on the internet and with some of my neighbours and colleagues who already owned cars.
And so it happened with BRIO too. I first saw this car on a big hoarding. I liked the smashing front look of this car. And the classy rear butt with brilliant chrome H O N D A on it. Though I never owned a Honda bike or a car, the word has an instant connect with me. When I was in school/college, the legendary Formula One driver (many say , ‘the all-time best F1 driver’) Ayrton Senna used to drive their engines. And all the Honda Cities and the Civics are only going to make the connect deeper. And not to talk of Honda’s brilliant reputation. And so it was pure love. And that too at first sight.
My dad has a swift @ home. And I have driven it extensively on highways and I should say it is one brilliant car, albeit a bit old fashioned in looks. It does full justice to its name S W I F T. So when I wanted to buy a car, as swift is already at home, I had 3 cars in my mind that I really liked.
1. Honda BRIO
2. Ford Figo
3. Maruti Wagon R
For some reason, i10 is never on my agenda. Something in it, does not strike a chord with me.
After visiting dealerships and having test rides and after going through reams and reams of reviews on the internet , I decided to buy Honda BRIO. I dropped the idea of Wagon R as it had high center-of-gravity and with it comes body roll. Though a value-for-money car, not so much fun-to-drive. And there is an element of risk around the corners at high speeds.
In my experience, Honda dealership came across as more attuned to prospective customers needs and are lot more professional in their approach. They have patience and time to sit with a customer and work a way through. I am also impressed by the neat and expansive showrooms they have. One such was Pride Honda, Hyderabad.
One funky thought though:- I like the Ford Figo interiors a lot. They are colourful and vibrant. Put a Honda engine into a Ford Figo petrol and I would lap it up.
After owning a Blue VMT trim for 2 and half months now, my take on the Honda BRIO is as below:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Honda’s Philosophy in overall Design : ‘Man Maximum and Machine Minimum' principle. This is the most impressive thing. Cabin space belies its lean exterior dimensions.
Overall feel of the car in the traffic : It runs like a hare in the city's crowded traffic. On open roads, it’s a hound. Runs like a mad dog.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big 10 Pros :
1. Sheer ease of driving. Super light steering.
2. fastest car in the segment doling out 88 bhp ; best power-to-weight ratio
3. Fun to Drive. Super to handle.
4. Roomy and comfortable cabin space which belies its small exterior.
5. Honda Brand and its formidable reputation in 'DQR'.
6. Value for money.
7. Good Audio.
8. Ease in parking and overall visibility. Low turning radius.
9. Like a F1 car, this road car is lean, mean and super fit. (among all its competitors)
10. Driving around corners is a breeze. Having low centre of gravity will help its cause. No body roll.
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Big 3 Cons:
Honda Car India : I-Vtech
I have read this piece in the link above and somehow reasoned why the engine may be sluggish once it takes off from a complete halt. What I fathomed is that for deriving greater fuel efficiency at lower speeds, it keeps its valves open narrowly so as to allow only a small quantity of fuel to get through the inlet value for the onward combustion.
You might have read many reviews till now. So I would not like to bore you again mentioning the same things. But would like to dwell more on some specific things:
DQR (Durability, Quality & Reliability)
In order to understand this particular aspect, we need to have a look at how Formula One cars are built. They are built only to last one race. They are built to be driven at high RPMs . As high as 18,000 rpm. Because they need to have the such great power with a minimum overall weight of the car (in order to achieve the best power-to-weight ratio), the strength of the materials also need to be that great. So in a Formula one car , we need to have ‘Reliability’ that the car will race without fault for one good race and the ‘Quality’ of the materials to be used need to be top notch, but the ‘Durability’ aspect need not be there. As the same Formula One car will or need not be used for another race. In fact if a Formula One car has something in it to keep it going for one more race, then certainly it is carrying some more material which it can shed. So the ‘Durability’ of Formula One car = One good race (nothing more , nothing less)
But in road cars, while buying one, we need to take in to account , all 3 factors. And choosing a company which has a reputation for taking care of all these. Because for a road car, ‘Durability’ is one of the essential factors as the car is going to stay with the owner for years together unlike a Formula One car which becomes almost a disposable thing once a race is done, except for usage in some R&D stuff.
I am of the firm opinion that companies like Honda & Suzuki score in this respect. Japanese and the German cars are the ones you want to own, if you want to keep them for many years and keep away from troubling and niggling issues. This is entirely my personal opinion though. No offence to any other car makers.
Please note :- Honda Brio was the highest ranked Premium Compact Car in the proprietary J.D Power Asia Pacific 2012 India Initial Quality Study. And also the internet is awash with very good ownership reports of Honda cars. Not to mention the expert reviews.
For example :- AutocarIndia review on Honda BRIO begins as below
“They say that too much of a good thing can be bad. But you don’t need to spend too much time in this little Honda to realise that the Brio is an exception. And after having the car for 10 months, and the countless hours of entertainment it has provided, saying that it is hard to let go of is an understatement.
Right since the day it entered our long-term fleet around 14,000km ago, it was plain for all to see that there was something special about this car. Its cabin space belied its compact exterior proportions – four of us could be seated in it in absolute comfort. Another aspect of the Brio that surprised us was the driving experience. The nonchalant ease with which our Brio handled city and highway conditions alike is something very few cars in this segment can manage, and in true Honda fashion, the 1.2-litre 88bhp motor really came alive in the upper reaches of the rev band. Goading the car all the way to its 6500rpm limiter was an aural treat.
The Brio wasn’t quite that responsive at slow engine speeds, though – its low-end torque isn’t great. But rev it hard and it turns into a completely different animal. The smooth petrol engine made darting into fast-closing gaps in traffic a cinch thanks to its brilliant handling, and highway overtaking manoeuvres were child’s play for the baby Honda. Make no mistake, this is one seriously quick hatchback.”
Source :
Honda Brio 1.2 | Cars Long Termer | Budget hatchbacks | Autocar India
And for BRIO Vs i10 , the below link is a must read comparison. And no prize for guessing which is the winner.
Honda Brio vs Hyundai i10 | Feature | Autocar India
And for BRIO Vs Ford Figo comparison :
Confused B/w Honda Brio and Ford Figo Petrol?- Detailed Comparison
You may also go through the below interesting link:
Honda Brio review - Brio-lliant! | Business Line
For general car ‘Terminology’ :
Formula 1® - The Official F1® Website
Your 'Ownership Review' has helped me immensely with my decision on buying a car. So, Thanks a lot.
And I have decided to post my views in your review itself as I though it fit to do so. Hope you donot mind.
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Before buying a car , we normally do our homework. I was no exception. My homework started primarily on the internet and with some of my neighbours and colleagues who already owned cars.
And so it happened with BRIO too. I first saw this car on a big hoarding. I liked the smashing front look of this car. And the classy rear butt with brilliant chrome H O N D A on it. Though I never owned a Honda bike or a car, the word has an instant connect with me. When I was in school/college, the legendary Formula One driver (many say , ‘the all-time best F1 driver’) Ayrton Senna used to drive their engines. And all the Honda Cities and the Civics are only going to make the connect deeper. And not to talk of Honda’s brilliant reputation. And so it was pure love. And that too at first sight.
My dad has a swift @ home. And I have driven it extensively on highways and I should say it is one brilliant car, albeit a bit old fashioned in looks. It does full justice to its name S W I F T. So when I wanted to buy a car, as swift is already at home, I had 3 cars in my mind that I really liked.
1. Honda BRIO
2. Ford Figo
3. Maruti Wagon R
For some reason, i10 is never on my agenda. Something in it, does not strike a chord with me.
After visiting dealerships and having test rides and after going through reams and reams of reviews on the internet , I decided to buy Honda BRIO. I dropped the idea of Wagon R as it had high center-of-gravity and with it comes body roll. Though a value-for-money car, not so much fun-to-drive. And there is an element of risk around the corners at high speeds.
In my experience, Honda dealership came across as more attuned to prospective customers needs and are lot more professional in their approach. They have patience and time to sit with a customer and work a way through. I am also impressed by the neat and expansive showrooms they have. One such was Pride Honda, Hyderabad.
One funky thought though:- I like the Ford Figo interiors a lot. They are colourful and vibrant. Put a Honda engine into a Ford Figo petrol and I would lap it up.
After owning a Blue VMT trim for 2 and half months now, my take on the Honda BRIO is as below:
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Honda’s Philosophy in overall Design : ‘Man Maximum and Machine Minimum' principle. This is the most impressive thing. Cabin space belies its lean exterior dimensions.
Overall feel of the car in the traffic : It runs like a hare in the city's crowded traffic. On open roads, it’s a hound. Runs like a mad dog.
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- Power and torque : One of the fastest car in the segment with the best power to weight ratio.
- Ride Quality : less choppy ride (jerky ride) ; does not get tossed around that much.
- NHV (Noise, Harshness, Vibration) : Engine Refinement. This is a gem.
- Poise and Balance: Aerodynamic Design. Sexy triangles every where. Good poise and balance.
- Handling or Steering precision and feedback : Butter smooth steering. You can put the car precisely where you want.
- Parking : Good all-round visibility. Low turning radius.
- Comfort : Good Interior Space, Nice ergonomic seating, with ok leg space
- Ingress and Egress : Fairly ok
- Fuel Economy : Good (Bumper-to-Bumper :11 and fairly open roads : 16) ; On highways , it should give more.
- Brand Image : Terrific. Mind blowing.
- Audio: This audio is also very much to my liking. Soft on your ear and long on quality.
- Gear Box and shifts : Could have been more precise, smooth and slick.
- Driving around corners : Bliss. Great fun.
- Driving on open roads : Pure pleasure. Gives a mighty kick.
- Owner's degree of happiness : Every day , when I wake up , the first thing I want to do is to put my feet on its throttle and feel elated.
- Total Cost of Ownership: Peace of mind that comes with Honda's DQR. Durability. Quality. Reliability.
- On-road Price : Value for money
- Exterior Design : Cute. Distinctive. Futuristic. As against the boring and the same old designs we see on the roads.
Big 10 Pros :
1. Sheer ease of driving. Super light steering.
2. fastest car in the segment doling out 88 bhp ; best power-to-weight ratio
3. Fun to Drive. Super to handle.
4. Roomy and comfortable cabin space which belies its small exterior.
5. Honda Brand and its formidable reputation in 'DQR'.
6. Value for money.
7. Good Audio.
8. Ease in parking and overall visibility. Low turning radius.
9. Like a F1 car, this road car is lean, mean and super fit. (among all its competitors)
10. Driving around corners is a breeze. Having low centre of gravity will help its cause. No body roll.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big 3 Cons:
- Gear box and gear shifts are not that precise. Not as per my expectation. My personal opinion.
- Boot space is just enough for me. If you ask me if this is a con for me, I would say no. So this point should not be here. But just because you might be wondering why boot space is not in the ‘-‘ ves, …
- Low-end torque could have been better.
- Head-lights brightness is not all that sufficient on highways. They do their job, but not with confidence
Honda Car India : I-Vtech
I have read this piece in the link above and somehow reasoned why the engine may be sluggish once it takes off from a complete halt. What I fathomed is that for deriving greater fuel efficiency at lower speeds, it keeps its valves open narrowly so as to allow only a small quantity of fuel to get through the inlet value for the onward combustion.
You might have read many reviews till now. So I would not like to bore you again mentioning the same things. But would like to dwell more on some specific things:
DQR (Durability, Quality & Reliability)
In order to understand this particular aspect, we need to have a look at how Formula One cars are built. They are built only to last one race. They are built to be driven at high RPMs . As high as 18,000 rpm. Because they need to have the such great power with a minimum overall weight of the car (in order to achieve the best power-to-weight ratio), the strength of the materials also need to be that great. So in a Formula one car , we need to have ‘Reliability’ that the car will race without fault for one good race and the ‘Quality’ of the materials to be used need to be top notch, but the ‘Durability’ aspect need not be there. As the same Formula One car will or need not be used for another race. In fact if a Formula One car has something in it to keep it going for one more race, then certainly it is carrying some more material which it can shed. So the ‘Durability’ of Formula One car = One good race (nothing more , nothing less)
But in road cars, while buying one, we need to take in to account , all 3 factors. And choosing a company which has a reputation for taking care of all these. Because for a road car, ‘Durability’ is one of the essential factors as the car is going to stay with the owner for years together unlike a Formula One car which becomes almost a disposable thing once a race is done, except for usage in some R&D stuff.
I am of the firm opinion that companies like Honda & Suzuki score in this respect. Japanese and the German cars are the ones you want to own, if you want to keep them for many years and keep away from troubling and niggling issues. This is entirely my personal opinion though. No offence to any other car makers.
Please note :- Honda Brio was the highest ranked Premium Compact Car in the proprietary J.D Power Asia Pacific 2012 India Initial Quality Study. And also the internet is awash with very good ownership reports of Honda cars. Not to mention the expert reviews.
For example :- AutocarIndia review on Honda BRIO begins as below
“They say that too much of a good thing can be bad. But you don’t need to spend too much time in this little Honda to realise that the Brio is an exception. And after having the car for 10 months, and the countless hours of entertainment it has provided, saying that it is hard to let go of is an understatement.
Right since the day it entered our long-term fleet around 14,000km ago, it was plain for all to see that there was something special about this car. Its cabin space belied its compact exterior proportions – four of us could be seated in it in absolute comfort. Another aspect of the Brio that surprised us was the driving experience. The nonchalant ease with which our Brio handled city and highway conditions alike is something very few cars in this segment can manage, and in true Honda fashion, the 1.2-litre 88bhp motor really came alive in the upper reaches of the rev band. Goading the car all the way to its 6500rpm limiter was an aural treat.
The Brio wasn’t quite that responsive at slow engine speeds, though – its low-end torque isn’t great. But rev it hard and it turns into a completely different animal. The smooth petrol engine made darting into fast-closing gaps in traffic a cinch thanks to its brilliant handling, and highway overtaking manoeuvres were child’s play for the baby Honda. Make no mistake, this is one seriously quick hatchback.”
Source :
Honda Brio 1.2 | Cars Long Termer | Budget hatchbacks | Autocar India
And for BRIO Vs i10 , the below link is a must read comparison. And no prize for guessing which is the winner.
Honda Brio vs Hyundai i10 | Feature | Autocar India
And for BRIO Vs Ford Figo comparison :
Confused B/w Honda Brio and Ford Figo Petrol?- Detailed Comparison
You may also go through the below interesting link:
Honda Brio review - Brio-lliant! | Business Line
For general car ‘Terminology’ :
Formula 1® - The Official F1® Website
Overall feel of the car in the traffic : It runs like a hare in the city's crowded traffic. On open roads, it’s a hound. Runs like a mad dog.
