Honda Cars India launches facelifted Brio at Rs 4.69 lakh

Honda Cars India has launched an updated version of the Brio hatchback. With this refresh, priced from Rs 4.69 lakh to Rs 6.81 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), Honda looks to breathe life into its smallest offering, which has until now seen lacklustre sales.

Cosmetic changes to the exterior include a grille that's more in line with that of the Amaze but with a gloss black finish, redesigned bumpers and tweaked tail-lamps. The biggest update though is on the interior. Honda has done away with the spartan and oddly designed dashboard seen on the earlier car and replaced it with a unit similar to that on the new Amaze and BR-V. Other updates include a new instrument cluster, digital air-con controls, revised upholstery and an all-black interior for the top trim level. The lower trims get beige upholstery.

The equipment list has also been extended with the top variants getting a new audio system with Bluetooth connectivity and hands-free telephony. As with the Amaze, there is no touchscreen infotainment system on offer.

In terms of safety, the facelifted Brio comes equipped with dual front airbags, ABS, seatbelt pretensioners and impact mitigating headrests.

Mechanically, the Brio continues to use the existing 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol motor from the outgoing model, and is paired to a five-speed manual gearbox as standard. The Brio automatic is equipped with the same five-speed torque converter unit as well. Honda hasn't added a diesel option to the Brio line-up.

Commenting on the new Brio, Yoichiro Ueno, president and CEO, Honda Cars India, said, “The Brio remains an embodiment of Honda’s engineering prowess and manufacturing excellence. It has the distinction of being the industry topper in quality, scoring No. 1 position in the J D Power IQS results year after year.  The car is not just ‘made for the people’ but ‘made around the people’.  The new Brio is an all-rounder - spacious, comfortable, looks good, has a fabulous effective engine, and delivers great fuel economy.”

In India, the Honda Brio rivals the likes of the Hyundai Grand i10, Ford Figo and Maruti Swift, all three of which have the advantage of diesel variants.

Total sales in India: 88,406

Launched in August 2011, the Brio has until now sold a total of 88,406 units in India. Its best fiscal year performance was in 2012-13, when it averaged sales of 2,681 units a month. However, since then, numbers have declined over the years (see sales table below).