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The top end BR-V has been priced at Rs 12.90 lakh as opposed to Rs 14.43 lakh for Creta’s top variant
Compact SUVs are the new sedans - everyone wants one! Hyundai took the market by storm with Creta last year and has received over 100,000 bookings. Honda wants a slice of this market as well and has introduced the BR-V to take a bite. How do the two stack up? Let's find out!
The Creta looks more like a proper scaled-down SUV than an overgrown hatchback. On the other hand, the BR-V has heavy influences of the Mobilio MPV. Both cars get common details such as projector headlamps, LED light guides and plenty of matte-black cladding that envelopes the lower half of the cars.
In terms of styling, we have to give it to the Creta. It looks young and appealing and, most importantly, has the presence that an SUV should have.
On the other hand, the BR-V just isn't as aggressive looking. While it is the longest in its class, it is also the narrowest. This robs it of the butch stance that one looks for in an SUV.
On the insides, the biggest USP of the Honda BR-V comes to the fore. Unlike any of its rivals, it features an extra row of seats. What's more, the top-spec variant that you see in the pictures get some good quality leather upholstery as well.
That said, other than the leather, there's not much to talk about in terms of kit on the BR-V. The feature list is rather spartan, and skips on essentials such as a touchscreen infotainment system and reverse parking camera. The Creta on the other hand, is packed to the gills with features.
Design wise, Hyundai has opted for a safe beige-black combo, whereas the Honda features an all-black cabin. In terms of space, the Creta is slightly more accommodating for five.
Being wider, there's better shoulder room on offer. Honda has scooped out the back of the front seats and shortened the seat squab to make more legroom.
However, this eats into the under thigh support of rear seat occupants. That said, the second row of seats in the BR-V can be slid or tumbled away altogether for access to the third row. The last row itself is decently spacious, but not for long journeys.
The Honda BR-V is available with a 1.5-litre i-DTEC motor that develops 100PS of power and 200Nm of torque. The Creta, on the other hand, features a slightly larger 1.6-litre VTVT engine that generates 128PS and 260Nm.
Needless to say, it is the Hyundai that feels sprightlier thanks to the extra power and lower weight. There is noticeable turbo-lag in both motors, which can be slightly annoying within the confines of the city. However, out on the highway, both cars feel relaxed.
Where the Creta outshines the BR-V particularly is in the ride quality and NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) department. The suspension is evidently softer on the Hyundai that makes low-speed commutes really comfortable. At higher speeds, there is a slight hint of bounce, but nothing that is upsetting.
The BR-V's motor does sound slightly gruff on the move. Honda has worked on cutting the noise out a fair bit, but we reckon the noise levels are still a tad higher than we would have liked. In terms of handling, the BR-V trumps the Creta.
The neutral steering and the stiff springs give the Honda predictable corner manners. Yes, there is a hint of body roll when you chuck it in a corner, but that is purely because of how tall the car is.
Talking about fuel economy, it is the Honda that is more frugal. ARAI rated fuel efficiency stands at 21.9 kmpl for the diesel. In comparison, the Creta returns 19.67kmpl.
The top end BR-V has been priced at Rs 12.90 lakh as opposed to Rs 14.43 lakh for Creta’s top variant. Now, one does have to pay quite a lot extra for the Hyundai.
However, it is better built, has better features, and is more powerful as well. In our books, the Creta is the better package amongst the two, if you do not need the extra row of seats.
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