Verdict
At RM86,726, the Honda BR-V is the practical choice for a seven-seat household, with a 2,662-mm wheelbase, seven three-point belts and a full-size spare tyre. The RM8,274 dearer Seres 3 is a five-seater EV, but its 161-hp, 300-Nm motor dwarfs the Honda’s 119 hp and 145 Nm, while its 53.6-kWh battery is rated for 340 km. It also brings a 525-litre boot, six airbags and a reverse camera. Choose around charging access and passenger count, not badge alone.
Pick the Honda BR-V if you need seven seats, a 42-litre petrol tank and a full-size spare tyre for family trips.
Pick the Seres 3 if five seats are enough and you want 161 hp, 300 Nm, a 340-km EV range and stronger safety equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Honda BR-V RM86,726; Seres 3 RM95,000.
- Seating and boot: Honda BR-V 7 seats and 223 litres; Seres 3 5 seats and 525 litres.
- Power: Honda BR-V 119 hp and 145 Nm; Seres 3 161 hp and 300 Nm.
- Energy: Honda BR-V 1.5-litre petrol with 6.4 L/100 km rated economy; Seres 3 53.6-kWh battery with 340 km range.
- Size and weight: Honda BR-V 4,451 mm long and 1,260 kg; Seres 3 4,385 mm long and 1,650 kg.
- Safety equipment: Honda BR-V 2 airbags and 2 rear sensors; Seres 3 6 airbags and 4 rear sensors plus a reverse camera.
BR-V
- Seven seats with seven three-point seat belts.
- Full-size spare tyre.
- 50:50 split-folding third row and one-touch-tumble second row.
- Only 119 hp and 145 Nm versus the Seres 3's 161 hp and 300 Nm.
- Two airbags versus six, and no reverse camera.
- 223-litre boot versus 525 litres.
3
- 161-hp, 300-Nm electric motor.
- 53.6-kWh battery rated for 340 km.
- Six airbags, reverse camera and 10.25-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
- Five seats versus the BR-V's seven.
- Space-saver spare tyre versus a full-size spare.
- 1,650 kg versus the BR-V's 1,260 kg, with manufacturer warranty limited to 160,000 km rather than unlimited mileage.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM86,726✓ | RM95,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,497 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 119 hp | — |
| Torque | 145 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 73 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 161 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 300 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 53.6 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 340 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 60 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | CVT | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 12.2 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 6.4 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 160 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,451 mm | 4,385 mm |
| Width | 1,735 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,677 mm | 1,650 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,662 mm | 2,655 mm |
| Weight | 1,260 kg | 1,650 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 42 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 223 litres | 525 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 195/60R16 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 195/60R16 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full size | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 | Chao Yang SU318a H/T |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer middle row passenger seats | Available on Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | Front Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Illumination with Normal Bulb Brake Lights | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Powered Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with one-touch tumble, manual recline, slidable, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row with tip-forward function | 60:40 Split-fold |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Blower Control | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 6 Speakers | 10.25" Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Manual Boot |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | 11 Cup and Bottle Holders | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 160,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | Free labour for 1,000 km, 10,000 km, 30,000 km, 50,000 km, 70,000 km and 90,000 km intervals | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used BR-V & 3 for sale
BR-V vs 3 FAQ
Is the Honda BR-V or Seres 3 better?
The BR-V is better for seven occupants and a full-size spare. The Seres 3 is better for EV driving, with 161 hp, 300 Nm, 340 km of rated range, six airbags and a 525-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Seres 3 costs RM8,274 more than the Honda BR-V.
Which has more luggage space, the Honda BR-V or Seres 3?
The Seres 3 has the larger quoted boot at 525 litres, against 223 litres for the BR-V. The Honda counters with two extra seats, taking its capacity to seven people.