At first glance, the Honda BR-V tries to fulfill every need. As a crossover sports utility vehicle (SUV), it boasts a sporty body and high ground clearance that are enough to tame rocky roads.

The Honda BR-V can accommodate seven passengers with its three rows of seats. And most of all, it comes at affordable price of around Rp 240 million (US$17,569).

It seems too good to be true that a car with such a price tag could deliver exceptional comfort and powerful performance. Nevertheless, the BR-V manages to meet almost all expectations.

The BR-V '€” which stands for bold roundabout vehicle '€” has retained its strong appeal since being unveiled at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) in August 2015. The crossover SUV became one of the most sought-after vehicles at the exhibition with a large number of visitors making bookings for BR-Vs.

By the end of 2015, PT Honda Prospect Motor recorded sales of over 6,500 BR-Vs.

Many have suggested that the BR-V is a sporty twist on the Honda Mobilio '€” a low-cost multipurpose vehicle (MPV) that emerged as Honda'€™s best-selling vehicle in Indonesia in 2015, with total sales of 48,927 cars.

Like the Mobilio, the BR-V is powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder i-VTEC petrol engine, which churns out power of 120 PS and 145 Nm of torque. The two models share similar a steering wheel, three futuristic cluster meters and three rows of seats.

The BR-V has the edge over the Mobilio in terms of its exterior features. It has a longer wheelbase, higher clearance ground of 20 centimeters and stylish 16-inch alloy wheels. The BR-V has a muscular bodyline that resembles the Honda HR-V.

Its projector headlamps with LED light guide and fog lamps toughen up the overall look of the BR-V.  

At the end of January, PT Honda Prospect Motor invited scores of journalists to take a ride in the BR-V through the winding roads, sandy beaches and rocky hills of Bali.

The test drive utilized the most premium type, the BR-V E Prestige CVT, which is equipped with a tailgate garnish and spoiler, shark fin antenna and exhaust pipe finisher.

With its six-speed manual gearbox and automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT) gearbox, the BR-V gave a nice driving experience over the highway bridge of Bali. The car accelerated swiftly without much noise in the cabin.

A drive from the beach area of Uluwatu to the hilly Kintamani put the BR-V'€™s versatility and electric power steering to the test. As a driver, you can easily navigate the car through every curve and turn. Although it it heavier than the Mobilio, the BR-V has enough power when going uphill.

The BR-V demonstrated its strong grip and good stability when touring through the rocky terrain of Mount Batur. However, the suspension system, comprising MacPherson Strut at the front and H-Shape Torsion Beam at the rear, felt a bit stiff.  

The seats in the front and middle rows provided ample legroom and headroom, while the third-row was spacious enough to accommodate two children.

Perhaps the best arrangement would be to use the BR-V for four passengers and to fold down the third row of seats to provide more storage space.

On the dashboard, a 6.1-inch centrally mounted touchscreen monitor further enhances the BR-V'€™s driving experience.

Aside from displaying images from a rear parking camera, the monitor also offers one curious feature called nanoe '€” a technology to improve the air quality in the cabin. This feature is certainly useful for those living in a polluted metropolis.

The monitor provides Bluetooth connection, USB port and HDMI port to support phone-mirroring features.  

Despite its slightly stiff suspension and limited space in its third row of seats, the BR-V has enough charm to lure Indonesian customers. It is perfect for families searching for a compact SUV on a tight budget.

Predicting that the trend for SUVs will continue, Honda expects to sell 39,000 BR-Vs this year, said Honda Prospect Motor marketing and aftersales service director Jonfis Fandy.

'€œSupported by fresh models, in particular the Honda BR-V that will be rolled out this year, Honda is set to increase car sales to 180,000 units this year,'€ he said.

Last year, Honda was the only one of the big five carmakers in Indonesia that recorded growth in sales. It sold 166,258 units in 2015, a significant increase from 151,904 in the previous year.

'€” Photos courtesy of PT Honda Prospect Motor