Honda BR-V dropped from Malaysian model line-up – second-gen MPV not coming, will be replaced by WR-V
An update on the Honda BR-V. It has long been expected that the second-generation seven-seat MPV (or crossover, should you prefer to call it that), which was first revealed in Indonesia back in 2021, would be coming to Malaysiacontinuing where the first-gen DG1 left off.
Well, it isn’t, because Honda Malaysia has decided to discontinue the model. This was revealed during Q&A session following the business plan briefing the company held last Friday. No official explanation was given as to why the plug has been pulled, but the WR-VU‘s appearance on the scene may have a lot to do with the BR-V being dropped. In any case, internal sources reveal that the change in strategy and shift in focus away from the competitive seven-seater game had been decided some time back.
The first-gen “Bold Runabout Vehicle” arrived in Malaysia back in early 2017 in its seven-seat configuration, with two variant grades available for it. A facelift arrived in mid-2020continuing to be powered by a 1.5 liter four-cylinder SOHC i-VTEC engine with 120 PS at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm at 4,600 rpm, unchanged from when the model was first introduced.
The second-gen BR-V, presently on sale in Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, features an updated version of the 1.5 liter i-VTEC mill, now fitted with double overhead cams. Output has increased marginally at the same, with 121 PS 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm of torque at 4,300 rpm translating to a single metric hp.
What do you think of the decision to drop the BR-V from the Malaysian model line-up? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section.
GALLERY: Second-gen Honda BR-V, Thailand-spec
