Our resident mommy describes the additional bells and whistles found on this trim
The author feeling a tad cooler than your average mom behind the wheel. PHOTO BY HAZEL IMPERIAL-TAN
I didn’t expect to feel hip again. Not while driving an MPV (read: a mom mobile).
I had the top-of-the-line VX CVT—outfitted with genuine accessories—of the Honda BR-V for a total of 14 days. Long enough for me to really use the car. I used it as my daily four-wheeled companion of choice for regular errands and leisurely trips around the city.
The exterior visors and the cargo tray are useful. PHOTOS BY HAZEL IMPERIAL-TAN
That said, you can compare my review of the S trim to this spruced-up version; that one is the simple sister whose beauty doesn’t need to hide behind makeup. The VX we have here is the beautiful one whose features are tastefully enhanced with some color here and there.
So, how does the VX differ from the S? What are the features I truly enjoyed in my daily drive, and what are the ones I thought were not really necessary? After all, I am a simple, everyday driver with simple, everyday needs.
The LaneWatch system is the author's favorite feature, only found on the VX. PHOTOS BY HAZEL IMPERIAL-TAN
Let’s start with the right-side blind spot camera called LaneWatch, which automatically switches on when you flick the right turn signal.
“That’s helpful!” I muttered to myself as I saw one or two kamotes on the gutter as they obviously tried to speed up more as they saw me signaling to the right. Very, very smart.
In that instance, I felt like a better driver all because I had a lot more awareness on the road. What was once a blind spot isn’t anymore.
If only the author knew about this accessory five years ago. PHOTOS FROM HAZEL IMPERIAL-TAN
Long fingernails (especially for the ladies out there) and unruly kids excited to jump in the car? The door handle protectors are these awesome rubber/silicone strips that protect that easily neglected piece of metal right behind the door handles from scratches. Not a top-of-mind accessory, I know, but much appreciated nonetheless.
It's small details like these that become big the more you drive a car with them. PHOTOS BY HAZEL IMPERIAL-TAN
During rare moments when I am alone in the car, I enjoy the silence. It’s precious. No hyper boys singing, shouting, or just plainly talking nonstop in the background—any fellow parent out there who can hear me?
The interior of the VX variant is well-fitted with leather seats, leather side and front trimmings, and my favorite: the leather steering wheel. The crisp sound my hands made against the muted black leather encasing of the steering wheel as I maneuvered it instantly reminded me of those ASMR videos. Soothing. And classy. I loved it.
The BR-V's peppy 1.5-liter engine was a champ in accommodating the full house. PHOTOS BY HAZEL IMPERIAL-TAN
It’s no van, but once everyone is seated and strapped in, it’s not so bad. With four grown-ups—myself in the driver’s seat, in-laws in the passenger seat and in the second row, my 5’10” husband in the third row—and my two young boys in their respective child seats, the comfort that comes with its interior space is surprising.
But back to the reality of a responsible 40-year-old working mom: I had the opportunity to fill the BR-V VX to its full seating capacity during the two-week period that I drove it.
The all-new BR-V is, indeed, the macho version of the previous generation. PHOTOS BY HAZEL IMPERIAL-TAN
This car rides higher and bigger on 17-inch wheels, with the soft, curvy spokes now a sharper, bulkier design. It just generally feels safer and more comfortable to have my family in it, even in its full seating capacity.
The true test of a comfortable ride is having kids doze off within 15 minutes, even without window tint. PHOTOS BY HAZEL IMPERIAL-TAN
One thing I wish I did on the first day I had the test unit was to track the gas consumption. I received it with a full tank, and you know what? On the 13th day, it still had two bars left!
It’s pretty tight for our water tumblers in this new version, which was strangely not the case in our first gen. PHOTO BY HAZEL IMPERIAL-TAN
'Mommy, do you need some light?' PHOTO BY HAZEL IMPERIAL-TAN
This was pretty amazing given that I took it out on a daily basis within the city, including drives where I purposely had my toddler with me so he could nap effortlessly thanks to the automatic climate control. On the other hand, my little gearhead enjoys being my co-driver when sitting in front in his child seat.
For the author, the extra safety features make it worth the additional premium over the V CVT. PHOTOS BY HAZEL IMPERIAL-TAN
Priced at P1.39 million, the VX trim comes with Honda Sensing, the suite of advanced driver assistance and safety features. For more traditional drivers such as myself, I do not find the need to invest another hundred grand just to get more tech (the V CVT without Honda Sensing at P1.295 million is enough for me).
I would, however, spend on LaneWatch and the additional side curtain airbags, so if those only come with the VX, then that changes my perspective. Smart move, Honda. You’ve captured tita drivers like myself.
The top-of-the-line BR-V has everything that modern drivers would need. PHOTO BY HAZEL IMPERIAL-TAN
In conclusion, the top-of-the-line BR-V generously addresses the requirements of straightforward drivers who do not need to prove anything to anyone.
If you belong in my camp, you will be delighted by the thoughtful additions, more so when you get genuine accessories tailor-fitted for the nameplate.
Yes, it’s still an MPV. But a pretty cool one.
Keyword: The Honda BR-V VX made me feel like a cool parent