UPDATE 2: Read our First Drive here (5/5).
UPDATE 1: Photos from the launch proper, more interior shots, and the spec sheet (5/1).
For a carmaker, a product’s importance falls in one of two categories: a halo model or a sales leader. And though everyone dreams of having the new NSX, Honda knows quite well that’s not going to sell in critical numbers here in the country or even globally. On the other hand, you have the all-new Mobilio, Honda’s first crack at the lucrative but highly competitive Asian Utility Vehicle (AUV) market. Single-handedly, it’s poised to be their make-or-break model. And by sticking true to the company’s philosophy of being engineering-centered, it looks like it’s going to be a winner.
Rightfully shying away from the term, AUV, which connotes an unrefined and cheap driving experience, Honda is calling the Mobilio an MUV or Multi-purpose Utility Vehicle. The design is sleek and modern with a silhouette similar to a station wagon rather than a cumbersome AUV. Based off the Brio/Brio Amaze platform, it has the same attentive and alert expression from the large, eyes wide open headlights. The two-bar grille successfully mixes cues from the CR-V and City creating an image of both passenger car-like comfort and SUV-like flexibility. The angular bumpers add some sportiness without compromising the ground clearance which stands at a generous 189 millimeters. From the side and the rear, the Mobilio combines styling cues found in Honda’s global MPV line-up. The lighting strike-kink on the rear doors is a nod to the most distinguishable feature of the North American Odyssey while the angular and complexly designed tail lamps and hatch is similar to the design in the recently launched global Odyssey.
Setting the trend with its Brio and Brio Amaze sub-B-segment offerings, Honda is also gifting the Mobilio with a truly world-class running gear. It’s totally uncompromised in terms of engineering with a 1.5-liter SOHC i-VTEC engine for a heart. Shared with the Jazz and City, the Mobilio is the most powerful in its class with 120 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm of torque at 4,600 rpm. Mated to this is a slick 5-speed manual or the new Earth Dreams CVT. The continuously variable gearbox is further tweaked for improved functionality and response during cornering and hilly terrain. A larger 42-liter tank means less trips to the petrol station especially on long journeys. Ensuring safe and secure handling, it comes standard with an Electronic Power Steering (EPS) system that gives it a nimble 5.2-meter turning radius. It rides on front MacPherson Struts and a rear H-shaped torsion beam axle. At each corner, it’s fitted with 185/65R15 tires.
As a family-friendly automobile, it has no less than 9 cup and bottle holders scattered throughout the cabin. It also has dual air conditioning as standard equipment. On some models, Honda’s touchscreen audio-visual system with both USB and aux inputs provide entertainment for everyone on board. The steering wheel-mounted satellite audio switch adds a touch of convenience. And of course, you can’t talk about family without touching on the topic of safety. In that regard, the Mobilio comes packing dual SRS airbags, ABS, and EBD. It also has ISOFIX child seat anchors to protect the little ones.
The all-new Honda Mobilio is offered in the following variants: 1.5 E M/T (P 807,000), 1.5 V CVT (P 877,000), and 1.5 RS Navi CVT (P 967,000). It comes in a wide variety of colors from Alabaster Silver (all variants), Taffeta White (V CVT and E M/T), Crystal Black Pearl (RS Navi CVT and V CVT), Sunset Orange (RS Navi CVT), and White Orchid Pearl (RS Navi CVT, + P20,000). Although it’s not as sexy as an NSX, it does contain the very same Honda engineering DNA that’s often set their products apart. This new offering is set to widen their market reach in the Philippines, since they’re entering the entry-level seven-seater utility vehicle for the very first time. However, they’ve done so without compromising on performance, engineering, and safety. It’s certainly going to be a game-changer in more ways than one.
Hi Uly, is the interior space comparable to that of an Avanza, or an Innova?
ReplyDeleteIt's somewhere in the middle I'd say. We get to try it out more in detail so you'll get my final report soon.
DeleteHonda Business Development staff here. Inside is slightly bigger than Avanza.
Deleteinterior looks meeeehhhh... it seems like it may not just only be built in india, even it is probably designed in india!
Deletewow! did i read the "not so honda-ish" prices right?
ReplyDeleteeverything seems perfect... except the shape of the headlight :-)
Finally, the price seems right.
ReplyDeleteI don't like the design. The front and back looks hideous. The headlights looks like the old Innova while taillight looks like a Honda City with a tongue sticking out at the corner. Good thing the Innova is changing it's design otherwise looking at the sides, Mr. Mobilio would look like a refreshed but shrunken Innova. Honda should come up with a better design fast and do a total redesign during it's mid-refresh like the Civic.
ReplyDeletereally really really ugly.
ReplyDeleteThis one is more good looking compare to Toyota Avanza.
ReplyDeleteBad looking Jalapagos car!
ReplyDeleteThe front looks like a tadpole. The rear lights look overly designed. Hope it doesn't perform like a Brio.
ReplyDeletelooking for a bnew fam car. this could be it:-)
ReplyDeleteLOL at the nitpickers saying it is ugly. Compare it to the competition in the entry-level MPV segment like the ugly, boring & cheap-material built Avanza, Ertiga, Spin & the ancient Grand Livina. This one is the best looking, best equipped and best built among them. No-brainer choice in this segment.
ReplyDeleteUly, are there aircon vents for the 3rd-row seats like in the Chevy Spin? I think these 2 models are the best in this segment; the Spin arguably looks better from the front, but the Mobilio looks better from the sides and rear. Too bad the Chevy has many owner-reported reliability problems (see the comments section of the Spin review here). This one looks like it would have the usual Honda reliability and excellent build quality. And, oh, at 6600RPM, VTEC just kicked in 'yo! ;-P
ReplyDeleteThe rear A/C vents only extend until the second row. No vents for the 3rd row.
DeleteUly, do the 3rd row seats split-fold forwards like some midsized SUVs or to the sides like in AUVs? TIA.
ReplyDeleteThe 3rd row folds down in a 50/50 split but tumble upward and locks via a hook to the 2nd row.
DeleteThis is probably Honda's belated attempt to regain the market share it has steadily lost during the past few years. Unfortunately, the thing is as ugly as hell. The front fascia looks like a cheap Isuzu, only with expensive parts.
ReplyDeleteMy family likes it...we will definitely buy this next month.
ReplyDeletebetter interior than the Avanza.
ReplyDeleteBetter than the rest IMHO
ReplyDeleteBetter than the rest IMHO
ReplyDeleteNice car. Love it!
ReplyDeletePanget!
ReplyDeletepanget ka rin!
Deletehehe,. bilis ng karma nya hehe
DeleteIs it diesel or gas?
ReplyDeleteSa una Spin yung type ko...kaso daming negative comments sa spin. This time Mobillo...i love the RS type, ganda ng gilid at likod nya but then nakapanget lang is yung front nya...sad to say for me pangit ng ilaw nya...parang lumang honda fit heheheh....I love the specs....yung harapan lang talaga minus sa Mobillo. Kung pwede pa rin sana nila taasan ang ground clearance para konti na lang diprensya nya sa mga SUV heheheh...suma total ok po sya...lakas ng hatak pag test drive ko nung CVT RS nila. Maybe i'll wait po sa mas magandang Mobillo...I know testing pa lang ng Honda ito but later on maglalabas din yan ng mas magandang kaha.
ReplyDeleteSana me diesel variant.i will buy now na.he he
ReplyDeleteGot the CVT variant. Agree ako na hindi ganun ka-sexy yung 'teardrop' headlamps but the rest is just amazing. Definitely not regretting picking this one up over the Avanza I was supposed to get.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried it uphill with full load capacity? Thanks. Planning on getting this one also.
DeleteYup, to Antipolo. Great response especially pag naka S/L ang gear! didn't have issues with all 7 passengers :)
DeleteHi Uly, I noticed honda is releasing models with SOHC engines but higher Hp over the competition. Which performs better this or the avanza?
ReplyDeletePlease dont bash me im really ignorant on this matter. :)
uly,
ReplyDeletesana maglabas ng honda freed, sliding door sya better sa mga parking space natin
sorry...pangit ang honda freed bro...marami disadvantage ang sliding door. maganda pa rin ang porma ng mobillo....for me, headlight design lang dapat nila improv sa mobillo.
DeleteUSO NGAYON ANG HONDA MOBILIO NA GINAGAWANG KARO NG PATAY!!
ReplyDeletehi attorney de campanilla! dito ka pala, basher ka pala ng mobilio. kung sabagay, ang favorite mo ay wigo at mirage. nakabili ka na ba?
Deletekung makapagsalita ka ah! e wigo nga lang or mirage ang kaya mong bilhin. LOL!
bad attitude yan attorney tabla-talo,..,remember.,,.he who goes to court must be of clean hand.,,.and mounth as well
Deleteim planning also to buy mobilio uly...can i ask? if the drivers sit can adjust the height? and have automatic side mirror to adjust? thnks
ReplyDeleteDriver's seat don't have the height adjuster. Just have the seat slider. All variants comes with a power side mirrors adjuster.
DeleteJust got the RS Navi CVT Variant (Top-of-the-line) a week ago and I so love it. The 7" Touch Screen Audio System with Navigation, DVD/CD, USB and Bluetooth Phone Call connection serves and entertains me well. Its wheels Alloy RS Design looks great. Accelerates quickly to my desired speed. For me this is the "sleekest" (RS Navi) and most powerful in its class - speaking of its competitors Avanza, Suzuki Entirga and Chevy Spin. So far, hmmm ...just love it.
ReplyDeleteJust don't compare this MVP outside its class then you will appreciate its competitiveness against its competitors.
Speaking of its Fuel consumption, hmmm I've got 16Km/L - city driving. Just make sure the ECO-Driving indicator always shows green :). Courtesy of Honda's new Earth Dreams Technology Continuesly Variable Transmission (CVT). Too smooth to recognize the automatic gear-changing.
ReplyDeleteSir Lance, hows the ECO-Driving indicator turn on? I believe wala po switch para sa Eco driving mode right? Is it base on your speed sir para mag on sya?
DeleteMobilio doesn't have an ECO ambient coaching light like those found in the Civic, Jazz, City, et. al. It does have an ECO light similar to the Brio. It only lights up the words, "ECO" when it detects you're driving frugality. This is based on several factors such as speed, gearing, accelerator pressure, etc.
DeleteHi sir Anonymous. Sir Ulysses has explained it well. It's just a manual and personal interaction between you and Mr. Mobilio for the ECO-Driving indicator to light up :)
DeleteCVT is up to how many gear po speed nya? is it true up to 7 speed ang transmission nya just what the sales was saying here from Honda Cebu?
ReplyDeleteHi Uly and Mobilio users,
ReplyDeleteI would like to ask if which is better, the mid cvt against the suzuki ertiga cvt? For casual family driving of 3 and for once in a while out of town trips. Before I was egging on a chev spin...
PS. Resale value is not that impt to me.
Hi,
DeleteI already got the mid CVT mobilio. Made a trip to Baguio on it's first week with 4 passengers. Went up thru Marcos hi way and down thru Kennon. Walang bitin goin up using the S Mode. When going down, i also used the S Mode for the engine break. It's very accurate, also the steering and ABS . All passengers are comfortable in their seats. When I was in TPLEX, only in D Mode, i was surprnised that i was already at 145KPH and i didn't even notice it. I didn't hear the engine groaning. We're just relaxed inside the car. All in, I'm really impressed with the performance of the Mobilio CVT. So this is the best amongst the 3.
for those who are planning to buy mobilio, join kayo sa facebook ng mobilio club. may mga discussion doon ng mga na-encounrter nilang problem. mas mainam magjoin kung bibili pa lang kayo para makita nyo na agad ang future problem nyo.sa mobilio. but so far, puro minor pa lang ang problem na nakikita nila.
ReplyDeleteI'm planning to buy Mobilio too. But still trying to read some comments from you guys. Even though Makina Yung work ko.
ReplyDelete(Repost lang po) Hopefully it will become available with 1.5 DTEC and updated interior. EURO 4 compliant na naman tayo, i guess... btw, interior of newly updated Honda Mobilio, ano msabi nyo guys... http://indianautosblog.com/2016/01/2016-honda-mobilio-all-new-interior-launched-indonesia-212008
ReplyDeleteParang malaking Brio IMHO... Anyway my family's 2008 Toyota Avanza 1.5G Manual is still doing great. Wala pa siyang malaking problema maliban lang sa basic maintenance (tires, battery, change oil.) kahit nakababad to siya sa araw kasi sa subdivision namin wala kaming mga parking space kaya sa kalsada nakapark 24/7. Gusto ko ang very tight turn ng Avanza. Maganda at meron nang kakompetensya ang Toyota para improvement sa mga features for both companies including Suzuki Ertiga.
ReplyDeletei got my mobilio rs white last august 2015 so far im satisfied with the performance.19.6km per liter na achieved ko last city drive with light trapic.smooth running kapag downhill at lakas humatak pag uphill kahit with 7 passengers....like na like ko din ang porma at madaling i drive kahit baguhan pa...at hapi din me maging member ng mcp(mobilio club of the phil)...
DeleteFinally got my Mobilio last week, so far so good.
ReplyDeleteI chose Mobilio because it is Honda - do you agree on the value of the brand? (At least compared to the same vehicle class like Avanza or Ertiga)
Is this an MPV or an station wagon?
ReplyDeleteIs this an MPV or an station wagon?
ReplyDeleteGuys any news about BR-V, when it will arrive here in the Philippines
ReplyDeleteDoes the 1.5 RS Navi CVT have reverse camera?
ReplyDelete