Let me give a brief background of my expectations when I bought BRV in July 2017. The requirement was: a safe, strong car with a (preferably) petrol engine and an automatic transmission. The budget was a little flexible, around 10-15 Lakh. I was not interested in a sedan, and keen on looking at 7 seater options so that the kids (two of them, boys) can relax in their own territories during a long drive.
The cars considered:
(1) Ertiga VX AT (interior quality was a let down, beige interiors were not preferred, 4 gear AT sounded insufficient.
(2) XUV 500 AT models (expensive, third row seats up means no space at all for any luggage, not very interested in diesel)
(3)Creta AT (for all what we know about Hyundai, surprisingly this car did not offer any thing extra from BRV, more expensive and only 5 seater)
When I first test-drove the BRV VCVT, the ease of handling a big car, the smooth iVTEC engine, the confidence given by the sales executive were all positive. Especially coming from driving different Hyundais for 10 years, the steering looked perfectly light to get used quickly. I was offered a touch-screen head unit, reverse camera and parking sensors with the purchase.
The interiors felt one segment cheaper for the car, but it still looked the best car I needed. The car was delivered in about 1 week of booking.
During the two years of having this car, this is what I noted: Honda certainly compromised on the quality of material used for interiors - the plastics more so. That said, the 1.5L iVETEC is a gem. It is very quiet, responsive and delivered what is asked from it. I should mention here that I am a sedate driver.
Over the time, I realised that the fuel economy of the car depended a lot on the driving style. A light pedal, keeping the car always in economy zone will help. The nice little live mileage indicator on the dash helps a lot to remind me of how bad I am driving.
The best speeds to drive on a highway to keep the engine running butter smooth resulting in good mileage is between 80-110 kmph. On average, in city driving conditions - an year in Hyderabad and an year in Bangalore, the car returned a fuel economy of 10-12 kmpl. On a highway, this economy increased to 15-16 kmpl.
The breaks are fantastic; they give a lot of confidence while driving. The car almost comes to stand-stil in no time without any problem.
The air-conditioner works well in any condition. The rear A/C is a big help in long drives, especially during summers. The car cools down in no time. However, I had to get the air-conditioner serviced recently (after 19 months of use); the engineer informed me that the coolant gas needs to be filled up,; the filter got clogged as well. After the service, the performance returned to its best.
Since the driver's seat can be adjusted for height, the driving position can be tuned to one's own style. I tend to change between a SUV feel position (high) to a sedan feel (low). The seat comfort is very good for all seats, front, middle row and back (with its limitations). Getting into the last row is also very easy, the middle seat rolls up in one single push and gets out of way. The best part is that all three row seats are reclinable with adjustable head-rests.
Even with all three rows up, there is still a lot of space for a family of 4 to pack luggage for a couple of weeks' trip.
The low beam projectors and high beam head lights are excellent in their reach and throw. The fog lamps also are effective and efficient.
The doors and boot open wide and close with a smooth gentle push. No need to use force. The doors automatically get locked at 20 kmph and unlock when the gear is changed to P. This can be changed to a few other options (I have not tried, nor felt the need to).
I realised that the touch-screen systems are about useless. Inspite of having android system in the HU, I tend to use my phone on holder with google maps. This is more practical and convenient.
What I miss in the car (after driving for 2 years):
(1) even as the car has bluetooth calling feature built in, the steering wheel does not have a button to answer/ decline/ end the call. I have to reach out to the HU.
(2) no backlight on PRNDS, power windows buttons, car charger area, USB slot or the OVRM joystick. My old Grand i10, half the price and more than an year older, has this.
(3) This results in pitch dark lower half (nothing below the A/C controls is lit) during late evening and night times.
(4) The suspension tends to be hard, especially when the car is very slow.
(5) The OVRMs do not close automatically when the car is locked (again, my Grand i10 has this feature).
Accessories Added over two years:
(1) Touch screen android KITKAT based Blaupunkt entertainment system (reviewed separately)
(2) Reverse parking sensors with sound and distance indicator, reverse parking camera
(3) Long and black side protectors
(4) Centre arm rest with storage for front seats
(5) Seat Covers (provided by the dealer - must say they look cheap and were not fitted nicely. They will go in another 10,000 km for sure.
(6) Step illumination for both doors on the front. A cool light blue coloured BRV lights up when the door is opened.
(7) window shades (to be upgraded to magnetic BRV specific shades)
Otherwise, I am a very happy customer and love the BRV.
Please do reach out to me if you think we can discuss anything. Since there are many pictures you can find in the internet, I am not posting them again.
The cars considered:
(1) Ertiga VX AT (interior quality was a let down, beige interiors were not preferred, 4 gear AT sounded insufficient.
(2) XUV 500 AT models (expensive, third row seats up means no space at all for any luggage, not very interested in diesel)
(3)Creta AT (for all what we know about Hyundai, surprisingly this car did not offer any thing extra from BRV, more expensive and only 5 seater)
When I first test-drove the BRV VCVT, the ease of handling a big car, the smooth iVTEC engine, the confidence given by the sales executive were all positive. Especially coming from driving different Hyundais for 10 years, the steering looked perfectly light to get used quickly. I was offered a touch-screen head unit, reverse camera and parking sensors with the purchase.
The interiors felt one segment cheaper for the car, but it still looked the best car I needed. The car was delivered in about 1 week of booking.
During the two years of having this car, this is what I noted: Honda certainly compromised on the quality of material used for interiors - the plastics more so. That said, the 1.5L iVETEC is a gem. It is very quiet, responsive and delivered what is asked from it. I should mention here that I am a sedate driver.
Over the time, I realised that the fuel economy of the car depended a lot on the driving style. A light pedal, keeping the car always in economy zone will help. The nice little live mileage indicator on the dash helps a lot to remind me of how bad I am driving.
The best speeds to drive on a highway to keep the engine running butter smooth resulting in good mileage is between 80-110 kmph. On average, in city driving conditions - an year in Hyderabad and an year in Bangalore, the car returned a fuel economy of 10-12 kmpl. On a highway, this economy increased to 15-16 kmpl.
The breaks are fantastic; they give a lot of confidence while driving. The car almost comes to stand-stil in no time without any problem.
The air-conditioner works well in any condition. The rear A/C is a big help in long drives, especially during summers. The car cools down in no time. However, I had to get the air-conditioner serviced recently (after 19 months of use); the engineer informed me that the coolant gas needs to be filled up,; the filter got clogged as well. After the service, the performance returned to its best.
Since the driver's seat can be adjusted for height, the driving position can be tuned to one's own style. I tend to change between a SUV feel position (high) to a sedan feel (low). The seat comfort is very good for all seats, front, middle row and back (with its limitations). Getting into the last row is also very easy, the middle seat rolls up in one single push and gets out of way. The best part is that all three row seats are reclinable with adjustable head-rests.
Even with all three rows up, there is still a lot of space for a family of 4 to pack luggage for a couple of weeks' trip.
The low beam projectors and high beam head lights are excellent in their reach and throw. The fog lamps also are effective and efficient.
The doors and boot open wide and close with a smooth gentle push. No need to use force. The doors automatically get locked at 20 kmph and unlock when the gear is changed to P. This can be changed to a few other options (I have not tried, nor felt the need to).
I realised that the touch-screen systems are about useless. Inspite of having android system in the HU, I tend to use my phone on holder with google maps. This is more practical and convenient.
What I miss in the car (after driving for 2 years):
(1) even as the car has bluetooth calling feature built in, the steering wheel does not have a button to answer/ decline/ end the call. I have to reach out to the HU.
(2) no backlight on PRNDS, power windows buttons, car charger area, USB slot or the OVRM joystick. My old Grand i10, half the price and more than an year older, has this.
(3) This results in pitch dark lower half (nothing below the A/C controls is lit) during late evening and night times.
(4) The suspension tends to be hard, especially when the car is very slow.
(5) The OVRMs do not close automatically when the car is locked (again, my Grand i10 has this feature).
Accessories Added over two years:
(1) Touch screen android KITKAT based Blaupunkt entertainment system (reviewed separately)
(2) Reverse parking sensors with sound and distance indicator, reverse parking camera
(3) Long and black side protectors
(4) Centre arm rest with storage for front seats
(5) Seat Covers (provided by the dealer - must say they look cheap and were not fitted nicely. They will go in another 10,000 km for sure.
(6) Step illumination for both doors on the front. A cool light blue coloured BRV lights up when the door is opened.
(7) window shades (to be upgraded to magnetic BRV specific shades)
Otherwise, I am a very happy customer and love the BRV.
Please do reach out to me if you think we can discuss anything. Since there are many pictures you can find in the internet, I am not posting them again.
Very proffessional review Sivaram. Am impressed. Keep going. Lookingvforward for more Buddy👌👍
ReplyDeleteThank you very much (could not see your name though).
Delete