Honda Thailand has just opened its order books for the 2022 Honda BR-V. Prices start from THB 930,000 (~RM 113k) for the base 1.5 E variant, while the range topping 1.5 EL is priced at THB 980,000 (~RM 119k). Don't read too much into the currency conversions, because the Ringgit is now a lot weaker than the Thai Bhat but let's not digress from the topic.

Compared to the previous generation model, prices have increased by 21 and 17 percent respectively for the two variants, but that’s also because its features list is now a lot longer.

While the previous generation BR-V came with just 2 airbags, this all-new model comes with 6 airbags and a full suite of Honda Sensing advance driving assistance systems (ADAS). The latter is fitted as standard. Also standard is LaneWatch blind spot mitigating cameras.

The Honda Sensing suite includes Lead Car Departure Notification (LCDN), but its Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) function misses out on Low Speed Follow (LSF), meaning the cruise control won’t work in stop-go traffic.

The higher range EL variant adds 6 airbags, and that’s the only difference in safety features between the two variants.

Powertrain is mechanically unchanged, but the engine has been updated to make 4 PS more (compared to previous generation Thailand market car).

The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated i-VTEC 4-cylinder now makes 121 PS at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm, driving the front wheels via a CVT-type automatic transmission.

Note that Thailand market cars make slightly less power than ours, partly due to emissions as well as compatibility with E20 gasohol biofuel. The previous BR-V sold there made just 117 PS, 3 PS less than ours.

Expect our local market models to also make slightly more power than the outgoing generation’s 120 PS at 6,600 rpm.

The range topping EL variant also adds paddle shifters, LED front fog lamps, power folding side mirrors, 17-inch wheels (base E variant gets 16-inch items), and several other minor items like sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors, additional USB ports, and black interior (E variant gets two-tone black-gray interior).

Both variants get the same 7-inch touch screen infotainment head unit that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but the EL variant gets 6 speakers instead of the base variant’s 4.

After Thailand, Malaysia is expected to be the next country to launch the 2022 Honda BR-V.

However, given the fluidity of the situation regarding disruptions in automotive supply chain and the long list of backlog orders to be fulfilled, it’s difficult to say if Honda Malaysia will launch the all-new 2022 Honda BR-V by the end of this year or in early-2023.

Checks with dealers show that many are still actively selling the outgoing generation BR-V, albeit at much lower volume from its heydays, what more with competition from the very value-added 2022 Perodua Alza.

The outgoing generation Honda BR-V sells for between RM 90,700 to RM 97,700. Assuming the same quantum of increase in Thailand is applied to Malaysia, expect prices of the next generation 2022 Honda BR-V to breach the RM 100,000 psychological barrier.

Main rival Toyota Veloz, which offers a similarly long list of safety features, will soon be launching here with an estimated price of RM 95,000.