Honda Brio and Suzuki Swift: A Comparo

The frisky 1.2 liter Swift is priced at P608,000 for the manual transmission, P648,000 for the automatic.

The year 2014 was noted for the cutthroat competition for market share among mini compact automobiles, highlighted by the entry of the Toyota Wigo, which subsequently overtook the Mitsubishi Mirage in terms of sales.

Two other brands joined the fray in the mini compact segment last year. Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) unveiled the Brio hatchback and Brio Amaze sedan at the September Philippine International Motor Show, preceded in June by the launching of the 1.2-liter Suzuki Swift in Makati. The latter is the more affordable little brother of the 1.4-liter Swift.

What differentiates the Brio and the 1.2 Swift from the Wigo and Mirage is their four-cylinder engines as the Toyota and Mitsubishi mini compacts are three-cylinder cars. So instead of bringing along a Mirage and a Wigo to the media test drive of the Brio at Tagaytay Highlands last year, HCPI should have brought along for comparison a 1.2 Swift. Comparing the Brio to the Wigo and the Mirage is like comparing apples and oranges, since three-cylinder engines are known for their imbalance.

Comparing the Brio and the 1.2 Swift is more equitable, although the Brio has a bigger engine displacement. Below is a basic comparo of the Brio and the 1.2 Swift for those planning to buy an affordable, entry-level mini compact this year.

ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. The Brio has the same powertrain as the previous generation Jazz and City: Honda’s 1.3-liter SOHC i-VTEC 16-valve four-cylinder engine producing 98 brake horsepower (bhp) at 6000 rpm and 127 Newton meters (Nm) max torque at 4800 rpm.

In effect, Honda Motor has removed the 1.3 liter option from the previous gen Jazz and City, and made it the standard powerplant of the Brio. The engine is mated to either a five-speed manual transmission (MT) or five-speed automatic transmission (AT).

The 1.2 Swift is equipped with a 1.2-liter twin cam 16-valve four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing (VVT) capable of 87 bhp/ 6000 rpm and 114 Nm/ 4000 rpm peak torque. The transmission is either a five-speed MT or a four-speed AT.

The Brio’s hatchback’s eye-catching tailgate features a large rear windshield.

In addition to having 11 more horses than the Swift and a five-speed AT compared to the Swift’s four-speed AT, the Brio has an eco-indicator lamp. Thus in these aspects, the Brio has an edge over the Swift.

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT. The Brio hatchback measures 3,610 mm long, 1,680 mm wide, 1,485 mm high, and has a 2,345 mm wheelbase and 150 mm ground clearance. Its curb weight is 975 kg (AT) or 935 kg (MT).

The 1.2 Swift is 3,850 mm long, 1,695 mm wide, 1,530 mm high and has a 2,430 mm wheelbase and 170 mm ground clearance. Its curb weight is 900 kg.

So while the 1.2 Swift is longer, wider and taller with a longer wheelbase and higher ground clearance, its curb weight is 74 kg lighter than the Brio’s (we’re talking AT versions here).

Combined with the smaller engine displacement, the Swift’s lighter curb weight should translate to better fuel economy. Suzuki claims that the 1.2 Swift averages 16 km per liter in mixed city and highway driving.

CHASSIS. Both cars have rack and pinion steering with electric power steering, ventilated disc brakes in front, and drums at the rear.

Both cars have steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

The suspension system of both is MacPherson strut in front and torsion beam at the rear, but the Brio adds a stabilizer in front while the Swift has coil springs fore and aft.

The Brio’s wheels are 14-inch alloys shod with 175/6514 tires while the Swift goes one up with 15-inch alloys shod with 185/65R15 tires. Both have full size spare tires, but the Brio’s has a steel rim instead of alloy.

CAPACITIES. Both cars can seat five people. The Brio’s rear seat is wide enough for three passengers but it does not split 60:40 like the Swift’s. The seats are slimmer than the Swift’s.

The Swift offers larger and wider legroom for rear passengers because of its redesigned seat configuration and thinner interior side panels.

With the rear seatback up, cargo capacity in the Swift is 210 liters, increasing to 533 liters when the seatbacks are folded. Aside from versatile carrying capacity, the Swift has multiple storage spaces.

The Brio’s cargo capacity is only 175 liters, but it has three cup holders, two bottle holders, front door pockets, seatback pockets on the driver, and front passenger bucket type seats.

EXTERIOR. The Brio has a broad chrome front grille resembling the new City’s, Halogen multireflector headlights, front bumper-integrated fog lamps, fender-mounted side turn signals, extra-large liftgate glass, large tailgate spoiler, LED high mount stop lamp, bulb type taillights, power door mirrors, body color door handles, front and rear wipers, rear windshield defogger, and a manual antenna.

The Brio has stylish creases on the sides, but its body seems to end sharply and too abruptly compared to the well-rounded Swift’s. On the other hand, the Brio’s large liftgate glass and tailgate spoiler are unique eye-catchers.

The 1.2 Swift has cluster headlamps, built-in front fog lamps, curvaceous front and rear ends, an upright greenhouse, a sporty rear spoiler, and arching rear taillights similar to the 2014 Peugeot 208 GTi sports coupe’s. With the wheelbase and wheels at the corners resembling the Mini’s, the Swift is one cool-looking, smart little hatchback.

INTERIOR. Both cars have power windows, power door locks, and power side mirrors. Their large greenhouses form spacious cabins with good all-around visibility.

The Brio has a symmetrical cockpit layout with illuminated controls, white face meters, and silver trim. The dashboard is angled to the driver, and the buttons, switches and stalks feel substantial. The Brio provides the driver with vital info via a fuel consumption meter, tachometer, speedometer, digital fuel level indicator, and engine temperature warning lamp.

The Brio V (AT hatchback) has a 2-DIN audio system with GS navigation, four speakers and Bluetooth, WiFi, USB, Aux-in, Internet browser, and Bluetooth hands-free telephone.

The Swift has an upscale all-black interior. The audio system is integrated with AM, FM, CD, MP3 and USB. Audio controls are integrated in the steering wheel, and the antenna is rear roof mounted.

The Swift’s instrument panel contains a tachometer, digital clock, trip meter and odometer, a fuel gauge, and light off and key left reminder alarms.

Obviously, the Brio offers more connectivity than the Swift.

SAFETY AND SECURITY. Both cars have remote control keyless entry, driver and front passenger airbags, antilock braking system with electronic brake force distribution, three-point seatbelts front and rear, childproof rear door locks, and engine immobilizer.

SUMMING UP. The 1.3-liter Brio is called the “sports car of the supermini segment,” hitting 100 kph from zero in under 14 seconds with short gearing of the five-speed AT making it quicker off the line.

Its cutting-edge connectivity is impressive. But its premium retail price (P729,000 for the hatchback AT, P689,000 for the hatchback MT), small cargo space, and less versatile interior could turn off entry-level mini compact car buyers.

The 1.2 Swift offers nimble handling in a neat, practical package that’s affordable (P648,000 for the AT, P608,000 for the MT) to buy and run. As the kid brother of the widely admired 1.4-liter Swift, it capably carries and manifests Suzuki’s global tradition of sporty, fun to drive small cars.

Brio or Swift? In the end, it’s your call.