Changes in the behavior of the Indonesian people due to the pandemic have made road trips or road trips with private vehicles a trend. Besides being more flexible and cheaper, road trips with friends, family, and loved ones also provide a memorable experience. With a car, you can travel freely, without fear of being chased by time.
Given the large number of passengers and perhaps a large list of items, it is impossible to choose a car as long as possible. This type of city car is certainly not ideal, although it is possible if it is just you and your partner. To make it more comfortable to travel long distances and enjoy road trips, a Low Sport Utility Vehicle (LSUV) or Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 7-seater is the best choice.
Interestingly, LSUV enthusiasts in Indonesia are growing, even becoming the best-selling segment ahead of MPV. Besides being able to accommodate seven passengers, the reason for choosing the LSUV type car is because this car is identical to the more eye-catching exterior and interior, high ground clearance characteristics, making it easy to bulldoze various roads. One of them is the All New Honda BR-V which recently won the “Car of The Year” award at the 2022 OTOMOTIF Award event.
The All New Honda BR-V consists of four variants, namely the All New Honda BR-V type S, type E (M/T and CVT transmission), All New Honda BR-V Prestige, All New Honda BR-V and Prestige with Honda. Sensing. All variants of the All New Honda BR-V have all the elements that make the road trip experience more memorable and enjoyable.
Comfortable, Ergonomic and Modern Interior
Generally, road trips cover tens to hundreds of kilometers, so it will take you hours to get to your destination. For example from Jakarta to Bandung (+2.5 hours), Jakarta to Semarang (+6 hours), Jakarta to Solo (+7 hours), Jakarta to Yogyakarta (+8 hours), or even Jakarta to Bali (+18 hours) . With long distances and long travel times, the comfort of the car is certainly the most important factor when doing a road trip.
For drivers who must be able to always focus and stay relaxed driving. Then the passengers who have to feel comfortable sitting for a long time in their respective seats (front, middle and back seats) with a variety of activities. Starting from eating and drinking, chatting, listening to music to meeting the needs of children.
The All New Honda BR-V offers comfort for the driver and passengers through its various features and best functionality. Like the cockpit space that pampers the driver and first row passengers. Then the seats are now designed in the style of a semi-bucket with soft foam and wrapped in synthetic colors from the first to third row seats. In addition, the seats are equipped with armrests from the center consul which are made higher.
As an LSUV, this car has enough room for the head and legs so as to provide comfort for passengers when road trips with long distances and take a long time. When the third row of seats lay down, you will see more spacious luggage space than the previous model.
Automotive journalist, Syakur Usman, who tested the All New Honda BR-V type Prestige CVT with Honda SENSING by traveling from Jakarta to Solo, admitted that he liked the interior of the All New Honda BR-V.
“First impressions, I like the interior of the All New Honda BR-V, the highest variant. It tends to be masculine with a dominant black color including the roof. The material is also good with precision workmanship. The interior and cabin looks better than its competitors. The seat position can be raised with the knob beside the seat covered in black synthetic leather. The seat design is ergonomic and comfortable on the body,” wrote Syakur Usman quoted from Merdeka.com
Ergonomic impression is increasingly emanating from the arrangement of various vehicle function buttons that are easily accessible by hand. Drivers can easily adjust audio, cellphones to Honda Sensing access to the steering wheel with just their thumbs.
“Turning on the Low SUV is modern, you just need to press the start / stop engine button. It can even be done remotely, when you are outside the car, using a smart key. That’s cool!,” said Syakur.
The interior of the All New Honda BR-V is increasingly pleasing to the eye thanks to the audio and air conditioning layout that carries a digital concept so that it gives the impression of luxury. Plus the leather wrap that wraps the steering wheel with a color matching dashboard.
Tough and Reliable for Road Trips in Various Medan
Car performance is an important factor to support smoothness and comfort during road trips. Considering that the terrain we face is not always flat and straight, we often pass through winding, uphill roads, bumpy and rough road contours and narrow roads, so we must be careful when passing or turning.
The latest generation of Honda BR-V offers reliability in various terrains. Not only suitable as a daily partner to deal with city traffic, but alsoa road trip with family and community. When he tried the All New Honda BR-V for the first time from the Jakarta inner-city toll road to the Cipali toll road, Syakur admitted that he was comfortable driving this latest generation of Honda BR-V. He then highlighted the engine and power of the car.
According to him, the engine does not respond immediately when we step on the gas pedal deeper. Honda claims that the second generation BR-V 1.5L i-VTEC engine is updated so that there is an increase in power to 121 ps per 6,600 rpm with a maximum torque of 145 Nm per 4,300 rpm. At lower revs, the engine is slow to respond to the position of the gas pedal. However, entering 2,500 rpm and above, the engine power is quite “yelp”.
“That’s when I tried to try the top speed. Acceleration to 100 km per hour is quite fast, even though it feels smooth,” said Syakur, who understands this, because this car uses a CVT transmission which is known to “squeeze its teeth” when the car is about to be driven.
When conditions on the toll road were safe, Syakur, together with two other journalists, drove up to 140 km per hour. “The steering is not light, it’s still pretty steady at high speeds. The stability is still good.
“Above that speed (140 km), we don’t recommend it. Road safety remains the main priority. So on the freeway, this Low SUV is quite agile and comfortable. A more rigid suspension also makes this car easy to control. with the wishes of the driver,” explained Syakur.
When driven fast, Syakur admitted that the silence of the cabin of the All New Honda BR-V felt good. No voices from outside entered. “Indeed, the sound of the engine slightly enters when driven. But if your speed is stable, almost no disturbing sound enters the cabin,” he said.
Furthermore, Syakur added that regarding its performance on city roads and winding roads, the All New Honda BR-V is also quite good.
“The driver’s visibility is good with minimal blind spots. Body roll is also very minimal. There is a Honda LaneWatch feature, which displays a picture of the condition of the left side of the vehicle on the 7-inch touch screen headunit, when I use the left penny. rearview mirror, when you want to turn left or change lanes. Isn’t it convenient!,” he explained.
The beautiful performance of the All New Honda BR-V is more complete with fuel consumption which is classified as more efficient because the driver does not need to press the gas to high speed so the car can go.
Honda SENSING, Gives Extra Security on Road Trips
Design, comfort and performance have been reviewed, now moving on to the safety. When deciding on a road trio, not only the high concentration and alertness of the driver, the latest car safety features are also needed that can provide extra security. In this case, the All New Honda BR-V has the Honda SENSING feature, which contains six active safety features that are useful while you are driving.
From Syakur’s experience, he felt very helpful and comfortable with the Honda SENSING feature. Because the way it works is not as rough as the Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) and Road Departure Mitigation System (RDMS) features.
“The computer automatically changes or reverses the steering wheel to its normal position, when the sensor detects the vehicle is out of line or lane. The intervention is still felt in the steering system, but it doesn’t bother you. Just relax,” explained Syakur.
While the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) feature can help automatic braking, if the distance of the car being driven with the car in front is too close. In addition, Honda SENSING on the All New Honda BR-V also features Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Car Departure Notifications System, and Auto High Beam. All of these features are very functional, making the driver’s role easier and more comfortable.
Conclusion of Driving the All New Honda BR-V
From Syakur’s experience as a driver and passenger when the media test drive of the All New Honda BR-V lasted one day and a distance of about 400 km, he concluded that the second generation of PT Honda Prospect Motor’s flagship Low SUV has great potential in its segment.
According to him, the All New Honda BR-V is quite precise with good fun to drive. The Honda SENSING feature is one of the features he likes. And broadly speaking, Honda has succeeded in presenting the concept of “redefined driving”.
“I want to drive it again for a longer trip,” said Syakur in his writing, “Test Drive All New Honda BR-V Highest Variant, Easy to Take Long Roads”.
That is the experience of automotive journalist Syakur Usman who has already tried the All New Honda BR-V Prestige CVT with Honda Sensing, the highest variant and has all the specifications of the All New Honda BR-V. Moreover, all variants of the All New Honda BR-V 2021 are equipped with qualified features to support the comfort and safety of the driver and passengers.
In general, the All New Honda BR-V is considered very value for money compared to other cars in the same segment. Quoted from the website www.honda-indonesia.com, the price of the All New Honda BR-V type S starts at IDR 281 million. While the highest variant of the All New Honda BR-V Prestige with Honda Sensing is offered.
