SA Road Tests

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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. I drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under real-world South African conditions. Many of the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.

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The basics, reclaimed: 2020 Honda BR-V 1.5 Comfort m/t

*Play Misty for me?

Pics by Author
Posted August 3, 2020

The numbers
Prices range from R274 400 to R333 300. This car, R309 000
Engine: 1497 cc, SOHC 16-valve, four-cylinder
Power: 88 kW at 6600 rpm
Torque: 145 Nm at 4800 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 10.9 seconds (Car magazine instrumented test)
Claimed maximum speed: 160 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 7.3l / 100 km
Tank: 42 litres
Luggage: 223 – 691 – 1164 litres
Turning circle: 10.6 metres
Ground clearance: 210 mm
Standard tyre size: 195/60R16
Spare: Fully sized steel, stored under body
Towing: Not rated
ASEAN NCAP safety rating: 5 stars adult, 4 stars child
Warranty: 5 years / 200 000 km with 3 years’ roadside assistance
Service plan: 2 years / 30 000 km at 15 000 km intervals on Comfort and Elegance, optional on Trend

Supplementary technical information from: www.automobile-catalog.com


Today’s cars are turning us into zombies; numbing our minds, dulling our reflexes and dimming our sight.

They respond to apps when we’re too lazy to note where we left them, they park themselves, brake autonomously if we’re about to crash into things, pull us back into line if we wander between traffic lanes, book their own services, and even picture our surroundings while manoeuvring. Because we’re too lazy to look.

That’s not all; how about “Siri, find me a Thai restaurant,” or “Dave Garver (we can name the personal assistant now), play Misty for me.”

The good news is that we can reclaim our independence, choose cars that safely meet our needs and needn’t cost a fortune; Honda’s little seven-seat BR-V for instance.

It has been around since late-2016 and fulfils the basics at Trend, or entry-level, then progresses incrementally via Comfort to top-of-range Elegance. That’s where you’ll find leather seats, shift paddles on the CVT version, seven-inch touchscreen, keyless entry and starting, automatic locking, front fog lights and a rearview camera. You won‘t find cruise control, fancy handling aids, hill start, keyless tailgates or automatic headlights.

Trend begins with an AM/FM radio with Bluetooth, USB and auxiliary plugs; tilt-adjustable steering wheel without buttons; manual air conditioner; fabric seats; steel wheels with fully sized spare; ABS brakes but no EBA, EBD or ESP; LED DRLs, but halogen lights; two airbags and seven versatile chairs. Those in the extreme-back row can accommodate adults comfortably.

If you need affordable transport for Dad, Mom and five kids (are we still allowed to say that, or is it “two caregivers and five charges” now?), this car fits the bill. It isn’t fancy, but real convenience costs real money.

We drove the intermediate Comfort version with six-speed manual transmission. At this level, steel wheels become alloys, the driver’s chair gets height adjustment, the second row gains sliding ability and an armrest, air conditioning is automatic with roof-level vents for the backseat area, electric wing mirrors, rear parking sensors, remote central locking and the four-year service plan.

Its 1500cc, naturally aspirated engine packs a decent wallop and its gear change is old-worldly precise. Although maximum torque is developed at 4800 revs, it maintains at least 86 percent of that between 2450 and 6700 rpm. That translates to comfortably holding highway speeds up long hills in top gear and easy roll-on acceleration should you need it in emergencies; at 110 km/h on freeways, for instance.

We tested its Indian heritage unintentionally while taking a dirt-road shortcut. Workers were re-gravelling the surface, leaving a sea of loose stones, but the BR-V shrugged them off. We could feel the vibrations and hear its suspension working but there were no nasty thumps or skittishness. Its 210-mm ground clearance permitted the occasional, careful, negotiation of city kerbstones too.

It’s easy to load and unload, with a flat deck just above knee height and lots of space available once the third row of seating has been folded and tumbled forward. There isn’t a separate cargo bay light but the second courtesy lamp is conveniently placed. The jack and tools are behind a clip-off panel to the right. You’ll need the wheel spanner to lower the spare tyre carrier; a bit awkward, but the plus side is generous cargo volume that’s easily accessible.

We liked this BR-V; its happy growl under acceleration, its inbuilt comfort and easy handling, clear views outward and most of all, its lack of fussiness.  But, Play Misty for me? No, although your phone probably could.

Test unit from Honda Motor SA press fleet

* 'Misty' is an old jazz standard and 'Play Misty for me' is a 1971 scream-flick starring, and directed by, Clint Eastwood

We drove a pre-facelift automatic in 2019

And an Elegance manual in 2020

Pics are of the Comfort version tested

What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads or goat tracks as well. As a result, my test cars do occasionally get dirty. It's all part of the reviewing process.

I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material.

If ever I place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with a very similar vehicle already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.

Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. There are no advertisers and no “editorial policy” rules. I add bylines to acknowledge sponsored launch functions and the manufacturers or dealerships that provide the test vehicles.  And, as quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so you can see I do actually exist.

Comments or questions?
Want to ask a question, comment or just tell me you completely disagree with what I say? If you want advice or have a genuine concern, I will be happy to hear from you. All I ask is that you write something in the subject line so I know which vehicle you're talking about.