Honda is all set to take on Hyundai Creta with BR-V

Though the BR-V is based on the Mobilio platform, it is certainly more than just a Mobilio derivative.

With Instant popularity both in terms of sales and when compared to its peers in the compact SUV/crossover space, the Hyundai Creta has become a runaway success. Hyundai retails 6-8k units of the Creta monthly and Honda is hoping to grab some of the Creta’s share with its upcoming 7-seater SUV offering the BR-V. Though the BR-V is based on the Mobilio platform which also underpins the likes of the Brio and the Amaze and it faintly reminds one of the Mobilio, specially from the side profile, it is certainly more than just a Mobilio derivative. Let us see what the Honda BR-V has to offer more than the (sales-wise) king of this segment -- the Hyundai Creta.

Ground Clearance > 200 mm

The Honda BR-V will cross the 200 mm mark when it comes to ground clearance and will ride just a nudge over at 201 mm above ground. Compared to this, the Creta has a ground clearance of 190 mm (similar to the i20 Active cross hatchback). The 11mm difference might not appear to make a difference on paper but in real life conditions, it will help in avoid obstacles on Indian roads.

3-Row Seating

The biggest advantage of the BR-V is that it gets 3 rows of seating, making it a segment-first seven seater. Like the rest of the compact SUVs, the Hyundai Creta is also a 5 seater. There will also be roof-mounted AC vents for the second and third rows in the BR-V. The car will not borrow seats from the Mobilio/Amaze/Brio and will have wider and more premium seats with adjustable headrests, much like the Jazz and the City.

1.5l i-VTEC with 6-Speed Manual

Borrowing the renowned 1.5-litre petrol from the City and mating it to a 6-speed manual will probably turn out to be the car’s biggest advantage in its segment. The Hyundai Creta also offers a 6-speed manual with its 1.6-litre petrol (engine borrowed from the Verna), though it is not as famed as the one in the City despite being more powerful. Honda will also offer an option of their newly developed CVT (continuously variable transmission) with the BR-V. Besides these, none of the compact SUVs offer a decent petrol offering in this space.

Fuel Efficiency

Hondas are fuel efficient and it is quite evident from their portfolio. It is likely that the BR-V will have best-in-class fuel efficiency figures. A Mobilio diesel with similar specs returns a healthy certified figure of 24.2 kmpl, that too with a 5-speed manual. An additional gear in the BR-V will certainly improve this figure further. Similar is this case with the petrol, the Mobilio/City offer ARAI certified mileage in the vicinity of 17 kmpl. We expect the same or slightly higher figures with the 1.5-litre BR-V petrol.

Source: CarDekho.com