All-new 2022 Honda BR-V launched in Thailand - Honda Sensing standard, RM 15k more than Veloz

• Fully-imported (CBU) from Indonesia
• 2 variants offered
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also standard across the range

While Malaysians wait for the arrival of the all-new 2022 Honda BR-V, our neighbour north of the border has just launched the jacked-up 7-seater crossover. Though that segment holds a smaller market share, the second-generation BR-V is the most expensive among rivals in Thailand.

Only two variants are offered in the Kingdom, the E variant which starts from THB 915,000 (~RM 115k) and the EL variant which is priced from THB 973,000 (~RM 122k). Compared to the Toyota Veloz which starts from THB 795,000 (~RM 100k) and the Mitsubishi Xpander which starts from THB 799,000 (~RM 101k), the BR-V’s price sounds steep.

Like its 7-seater rivals, the Thai-spec BR-V is fully-imported (CBU) from Indonesia but it is well-equipped on the safety front with Honda Sensing advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) and Honda LaneWatch being available as standard.

Also read: 2022 Honda BR-V driven in Indonesia - Is it better than the Xpander and Avanza?

The Honda Sensing features offered in the BR-V include:

• Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
• Lane-Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
• Road Departure Mitigation System with Lane Departure Warning (RDM with LDW)
• Auto High-Beam (AHB)
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
• Lead Car Departure Notification System (LCDN)

Both variants are powered by a naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC (121 PS/145 Nm) that is paired to a CVT automatic. Honda Thailand claims the BR-V has a fuel economy rating of 16.1 km/L (6.2 L/100 km) which is among the most efficient of its class.

Besides a generous amount of safety features, the BR-V comes standard with the following features as well:

• Leather upholstery
• Automatic air-conditioning
• 4.2-inch TFT Multi-Information Display
• 7-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support
• Remote Engine Start

There are some differences between the E and EL variants though with the base model equipped with 16-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels, a two-tone black and grey interior, 4 speakers, and 4 airbags.

The EL gets bigger 17-inch two-tone alloys, a black interior, 2 more speakers, as well as a pair of side curtain airbags which bumps the airbag count to 6.

Though the 7-seater market in Thailand is small and the Mitsubishi Xpander leading based on recent sales data, will the all-new BR-V strike a chord there?

Back home, the all-new BR-V could be arriving in Malaysia some time this year as Honda Malaysia had hinted that 2 more models will be launched in 2022 following the Civic FE’s local debut. One of them is the all-new HR-V which just celebrated its first delivery this week, so could the all-new BR-V be next?

Also read: Not the newest 7-seater but close to 4,000 Malaysians bought a Honda BR-V last year, why?