Since making its South African debut around 2013, the Brio models became a popular choice among new car buyers seeking a compact and affordable car that offers quality, convenience, economy and value.
1. No longer New
The Honda Brio (hatch and sedan) is no longer sold on the new car market and will only be found on the used car market (Shop listings here).
However, it is very possible to find a used Brio that still has its warranty in place as the last updated models that were launched in May 2016 were sold with a 5-year/200 000 km warranty, a 2-year/30 000 km service plan, as well as 3 years AA Roadside Assistance.
The line-up of Brio models consisted of:
Brio Hatch 1.2 Trend
Brio Hatch 1.2 Comfort
Brio Hatch 1.2 Comfort Auto
Brio Sedan 1.2 Trend
Brio Sedan 1.2 Comfort
Brio Sedan 1.2 Comfort Auto
2. Engine
All Brio models were powered by Honda’s frisky and frugal 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine. This engine put out maximum power of 65 kW and peak torque of 109 Nm. The fuel-injected unit drives the front wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox. A five-speed automatic transmission was available as an option on Comfort models.
3. Design and Comfort Features
The last updated Brio models boasted redesigned front ends, comprising of a bolder grille, revised bumper assembly and new headlights. The changes at the rear were more subtle, with revisions to the tail light clusters.
The interior of both the sedan and hatchback models were also refreshed. The Brio received an all-new dashboard, with a sleeker profile, smoothly integrated air vents and redesigned ventilation controls. The new dashboard added a more contemporary appearance and benefitted the overall ergonomics of the cabin.
A key update to the standard specification of the Brio Sedan and Hatch Comfort models was the addition of Bluetooth connectivity, which allowed seamless and safe hands-free telephony, as well as Bluetooth-based audio streaming.
An earlier update added a rear window demister to both the Brio Sedan and Hatch Trend models, while the Brio Hatch Comfort also gained a rear wiper and a smart tailgate spoiler.
4. Safety
Standard across the board was a full range of active and passive safety features.
The Brio was equipped with:
- ABS anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution (EBD)
- Dual front airbags
- Front seat belts with pre-tensioners and load limiters
- Central locking
- Engine immobiliser
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Keyword: Top 4 things you need to know about the Honda Brio