Five things you need to know about the new Honda BR-V

Say hello to the new Honda Bold Runabout Vehicle – or BR-V for short: a small SUV that offers a lot of space for not a lot of money. These are the five most important things you need to know about it.

1: It has seating for seven

Equipped with a third row of seating the BR-V offers up space for seven people. Access to all seating positions is apparently 'easy and convenient' thanks to split row seat rows that can be tumbled forward at the pull of a lever. This feature also makes the interior pretty flexible when it comes to loading the car up with cargo as you can experiment with various configurations.

2: There are three trim lines

To suit all tastes and budgets the BR-V is available in three different model specifications. Trend is the entry-level option and ships with manual air-conditioning, electric windows, keyless entry plus a four-speaker audio system that features USB and Bluetooth connectivity. Next up is the mid-range Comfort model that ups the ante with 16-inch alloy wheels, fully automatic climate control with roof-mounted air vents and a height adjustable driver's seat. Building on the Comfort model offering is the range-topping Elegance that adds in leather upholstery, a set of tweeters for better sound reproduction and electronically adjustable side mirrors. It also gets chrome door handles as well as a stop/start button like you used to get in the S2000. Fancy.

3: It's powered by a small petrol engine

Unlike some of its rivals the BR-V has no turbo or diesel trickery beneath its bonnet. Instead it comes with a basic 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine that puts out 88kW at a peaky 6 600rpm and 145Nm at 4 600rpm. This can be mated to either a six-speed manual gearbox or a CVT in the case of Comfort and Elegance models.

4: It's reasonably safe 

Let's face it, the BR-V is no Mercedes-Benz S-Class when it comes to safety. However it does fare better than another budget seven-seater, the Datsun GO Plus, as it comes with ABS brakes and dual front airbags as standard.

5: You can buy it with peace of mind

Worried about maintenance costs and reliability? Don't. Every BR-V comes with a five-year/200 000km warranty and three years of AA Roadside Assistance built into the price. Speaking of which, this is what you can expect to pay for the new Honda people-mover:

Honda BR-V 1.5 Trend Manual: R238 900

Honda BR-V 1.5 Comfort Manual: R252 900

Honda BR-V 1.5 Comfort CVT: R268 300

Honda BR-V 1.5 Elegance Manual: R272 900

Honda BR-V 1.5 Elegance CVT: R288 300