Honda's latest SUV, the BR-V, received five-star rating in the crash test conducted by the New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP). The SUV scored 14.79 points out of 16 point in adult occupant protection. On child occupant protection, it scored 72 percent and scored a four-star rating.
The five-star rating has been given to the top spec variant that comes with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Seatbelt Reminder System (SBR) for both frontal occupants. The SUV also comes with dual front airbags, ABS, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Start Assist (HSA) and reverse camera. The tested model is powered by a 1.5-litre i-VTEC four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 115bhp and 146 Nm of torque mated to continuously variable transmission.
"It should be noted that only BR-V's higher variants are equipped with ESC and SBR for dual frontal occupants. Nevertheless, we are aiming for the lowest variant to be equipped with similar technologies in order for everyone to benefit these safety features," said Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim, secretary-general of ASEAN NCAP, in a statement.
The BR-V is slated for a launch in India next month. Apart from the petrol engine, the India spec will also be sold with 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel that that is employed in most diesel cars offered by Honda in India. The Honda SUV would compete against the likes of Renault Duster, Hyundai Creta and Maruti Suzuki S-Cross.
