Brio, You Beauty!

There are many challenges with inexpensive cars. Some are tangible. Others such as a perceived lack of status are more difficult to quantify. But, with the new Honda Brio, there is no reason to be concerned. Because, while this car has a delectably low price tag, it ticks all the boxes.

Let’s start with that one that’s so hard to quantify: status. We all know that it’s important. Even those people who swear that they are not snobs want to drive a car that impresses. It’s just the way we are (well, most of us, anyway). Otherwise designer brands simply wouldn’t survive; we’d all be buying our clothes from the cheapest possible outlet (or a second-hand store).

Thankfully the Brio doesn’t suffer from this complication. That’s because the Honda brands is one of those hugely desirable labels. It’s like the Chanel of cars. When you tell someone you’ve bought a Honda, it comes with a sense of pride and accomplishment; it’s an aspirational purchase.

And the Brio, while it may not be in the designer label price bracket, has the same level of status. We got the thumbs-up and compliments galore whenever arriving at a function in our Brio test car.

Of course, there are other considerably more important features of this city car that delight us too. Just one is the build quality; our Brio test car had absolutely no rattles. In fairness, this came as no surprise; fabulous build quality is a Honda trait.

Hondas are also renowned for reliability but, for added peace of mind, the Brio comes with a two-year/30 000km service plan. Hats off to Honda in this regard; a service plan is rare with budget cars and buyers of expensive cars are those motorists who need these plans the most (let’s face it, we buy budget cars because we are on a budget!)

Another Honda trait is a full arsenal of safety features and, once again, the Brio does not disappoint (it comes with dual SRS front airbags, ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution and front pretensioner seat belts with load limiters).

Price: From R122 400

Text: Charleen Clarke