Feeling breezy at the wheel of the Honda Brio

When I think about driving, I think about just how chaotic the traffic conditions in Metro Manila have been this December. No matter how many cheerful Christmas carols I have loaded onto my cell phone — still, getting struck in traffic can be a real damper for that Christmas spirit I have been trying so hard to revive.

Christmas, it’s six days away and up to today the spirit of the season seems to elude me.

So, to make myself happy, I got into the Honda Brio and strapped myself into the cockpit of this little charmer. And, right away, my spirits began to lift.

The Honda Brio hatchback that I test drove recently was blue in color, a fave of mine — and from the time I laid my eyes on the Brio I knew we’re going to have fun. Bring on the traffic!

I was inspired to head out in search of adventure. Honda Brio’s large greenhouse and clever layout form a spacious and airy cabin with ample legroom. What’s more, a focused driving environment comes courtesy of good all-around visibility and the sporty black interior.

The Honda Brio is amazing. And, although it is an entry-level car, a drive in this little baby feels solid and this is a good thing in a small car. One of the most important things for me in any test drive is to get a sense of security inside the cockpit — whether I am driving a pickup, SUV or this Honda Brio.

I first got to test drive the Brio last January. I remember the drive clearly because it was the car that took me to see Pope Francis. I found a small parking space near SM MOA. It was one happy day for me back in January, because the Brio fitted into the small parking space I found, and allowed me to get lots of exercise as I walked the stretch of Roxas Boulevard to Luneta (about four kilometers) and joined the millions that were out that day to get a glimpse of Pope Francis.

Cute inside and out

Brio is an Italian word for cheerfulness or energy. A perfect fit for the name because it seems that the designers of the Brio at Honda had exactly this in mind. They were out to make a lively and perhaps snazzy car that would appeal to young first-time car buyers, or even to the not-so-young who know the value of a cool, small car when they see one. 

The Brio design has dual rising crease lines and a wedgy glasshouse back portion, which lends to a funky look. From behind, the Brio hatchback is on the triangular side, much like the dome of a tent. The tailgate is all-glass, which I had to take a little time getting used to since it has to be closed hard, but I learned after a few tries that the glass is sturdy and can take hard slamming (often the wont of security guards who check what’s in the trunk before they let you into the mall). The Brio can fit four passengers comfortably.

Inside, the Brio is well put together and I appreciated the simplicity with which the cabin is designed. The Brio is equipped with a radio/music player with additional steering wheel controls, a USB port, and a three-stage trip computer that shows fuel consumption in kilometers per liter. 

Let me just add, I was inspired to head out in search of another new adventure. The Honda Brio’s large greenhouse and clever layout form a spacious and airy cabin with ample legroom. What’s more, a focused driving environment comes courtesy of good all-around visibility and the sporty black interior.

Let the drive begin

The Brio’s 1.3 L engine delivers the power punch that this car needs. I say this because I was among the thousands that got caught in traffic last Dec. 15 because of the rains from Typhoon Nona that caused flooding. In Metro Manila when floods come, traffic can’t be far behind.

With its i-VTEC engine, the Brio is easily the most powerful vehicle in its segment. Even on a budget, you can now enjoy the swift throttle response, progressive power delivery, and outstanding fuel economy that Honda engines and transmissions are famous for.

I had no say on the traffic so I took the opportunity to make the most of my time by taking stock of just how well the 1.3 iVTEC engine of the Honda Brio handles itself given the tops go situations. In the cockpit of the Brio I was safe. I also smiled each time I was able to squeeze into tiny spaces to get ahead of the cars that had gotten stuck.    

The Brio’s diminutive size works in its favor in the handling department: it is nimble and agile, allowing me to really manhandle it while still feeling completely in control. I was also able to take a few corners with ease because the Brio’s steering wheel makes light work for getting ahead quickly. 

I drove with so much confidence because the Brio has advanced safety features to ensure your well-being and peace of mind. These active and safety systems work in tandem to prevent road mishaps, or to limit injury when accidents do happen.

I was dead tired by the time I got home on the stormy night. It took me almost five hours to make it from The STAR office in Port Area to my home in Pasig. But, I have to add that no matter how tired I was, I was grateful that I was seated in the cockpit of the Brio during this ordeal — I would not have had it any other way.