I AM a single father of an adopted street cat I will henceforth name, “Puti” for purposes of anonymity.
She meowed her way to my heart, sitting on a pile of tires in our garage, she had a white coat, but was gray when I first met her. She was also thin and flea infested. Like most street adoptions, I brought her to the vet, but I didn’t have to nurse her back to health. She did that mostly by herself, gobbling up kibble, by the kilo. But she worked for her keep, bringing me mice, roaches and being my personal home paper shredder.
Being a fur-parent comes with a unique set of challenges, especially when it comes to transportation. My car, an Ecosport was purpose-modified for it, with leatherette seat covers (now scratched) and various nets and hooks to hold cages and restraints. I quickly discovered that whether it’s a trip to the vet, a weekend getaway, or simply running errands, having a vehicle that accommodates both you and your furry children is essential.
Honda BR-V (any variant I am sure), is a compact SUV that seems to ticks all the boxes for fur-parents. Don’t get me wrong, the car was designed primarily for people, but let’s explore the reasons why I say it stands out as the best vehicle (I’ve tested so far) for fur-parents.
One of the key considerations for fur-parents is ample space for their furry kids. That space will be consumed mostly by a cage, a pouch or a restraint. Unless your little furry one has been accustomed or even trained to ride, especially for long distances, it is best that they are kept in a constricted space for both your safety.
The Honda BR-V offers a spacious interior, providing both human and pet passengers with a comfortable and enjoyable ride. With generous legroom and headroom, your passengers can stretch out and relax during the journey. Remember keep your pets in the back seats, and never let them ride infront. Check out this article from last week by another fur parent our Malaya motoring editor.
Additionally, the BR-V’s versatile seating configuration allows for easy customization. My favorite arrangement is dropping the second row left seat (a single seater) and putting Puti’s cage there securing it with a simple tie-down. Alternatively, you can leave the seat up and use the seatbelt to secure the cage.
The rear seats can be folded down to create a flat cargo space. And here is one place to chalk up huge points for this SUV–the plastic lined rear cargo space and a removable plastic tray was perfect for Puti hanging around.
One can purchase a rear hold cargo net from the many online shopping sites. The cargo space also–is lined with a neat plastic shield–ideal for accommodating pet carriers, crates, or larger items such as dog beds or travel accessories. This flexibility ensures that your fur-babies can travel securely and with ease.
One could say the designers unintentionally integrated several pet-friendly features into the BR-V. For example the many cupholders can also hold sippy cups and feeding jars. The rear doors are wide enough for a medium dog cage, and the rear for an extra-large one. The height of the car and the shape of the door openings makes it easier for dogs (cats will hurdle any height) of all sizes to hop in and out. Features designed for kids like child locks, and electronically controlled window locks apply in toto to our fur children, especially big dogs and frisky cats, providing an extra layer of security to prevent accidental opening.
The BR-V VX CVT has faux leather seats. This is great for fur parents. Naturally we line the seats with fabric or pet blankets, but the smooth surface is also durable and easy-to-clean. One can surmise that with stain-resistant upholstery that can handle the occasional muddy paws or shedding fur. This means you can take your pets on outdoor adventures without worrying about the aftermath. And because there are people to take care of too, the automatic climate control has a filtration system that captures fur to ensures proper air circulation, for the occasional people passenger.
I wonder if it was just the drive or the hum of the engine but all of our three cats two in carriers and one in a cage, seemed to have felt a much smoother (perhaps) ride or a more comfortable one (the aircon vents extend all the way to the back) but they were just quieter in the ride on the BR-V versus the Ecosport. Could it be the taller Ford was bouncier, I don’t really know. It is just an observation.
There also was no chance to get the dogs in the BR-V too. In my car, the swing open rear door is a plus but not the taller ground clearance.
Safety is a top priority for any vehicle, especially when it comes to transporting precious cargo, including our furry friends. The Honda BR-V excels in this aspect, offering a range of advanced safety features to protect both humans and pets. Here is a rundown of what it has under its advanced safety technology, called Honda SENSING:
- Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS)
- Auto-High Beam (AHB)
- Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
- Lead Car Departure Notification System (LCDN)
- Road Departure Mitigation System with Lane Departure Warning (RDM with LDW)
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow (LSF)
For fur-parents constantly on the go, fuel efficiency is a significant factor to consider. BR-V’s hood is a 1.5-liter DOHC naturally-aspirated gasoline engine that produces 119 hp and 145 Nm torque–that’s the best in its class. Options for the gearbox are a CVT or a 6-speed manual transmission.
This is an efficient engine that maximizes fuel economy–up to 18.9 kms. per liter without trying or compromising performance, and up to 21 kms. per liter on my drives, with judicious footwork. Its lightweight construction and aerodynamic design contribute to reduced fuel consumption, allowing you to save money and minimize your carbon footprint.
All variants of the Honda BR-V have MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam axle at the rear. The front brakes are ventilated discs while the back has drums. BR-V’s responsive handling and smooth ride make it a pleasure to drive, ensuring a comfortable journey for both you and your pets. Moreover, it has a five-star ASEAN NCAP rating–a lifesaver for people and pets. Whether you’re navigating city streets or embarking on a long road trip, the BR-V delivers a balanced blend of performance and efficiency.
Investing in a Honda BR-V not only provides a reliable and stylish transportation option but also showcases a commitment to ensuring the safety and happiness of your beloved pets.
It seats seven, it a true compact SUV (even without all-wheel drive), and possesses an extremely versatile interior, the BR-V is the perfect road trip companion for families, friends and furries.
So, whether you’re planning a quick trip to the park or embarking on a grand adventure, trust the Honda BR-V to be the perfect companion for you and your fur-babies.
Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) also announced recently a special test drive campaign for the all-new BR-V and additional perks to those who will proceed with a purchase. Simply go to any participating Honda Cars dealership nationwide, to test drive a BR-V and get a chance to win one of four 10th-generation Apple iPads or gift certificates worth P2,000. Those who will purchase will enjoy the running special offers and an extra P5,000 discount. The test drive campaign runs from May 25 to June 24, 2023.
A postscript to this story. I took really great photos of the BR-V and the cats but had failed to upload these on Google Photos in a synch when the cameraphone ran out of battery. Someone had, accidentally, pressed the delete all button before synching to make space on the phone, and alas we lost all the photos.
Luckily, my editor ran to Mika Fernandez-David of ignition.ph and got these wonderful photos. It’s a truly collaborative world out there now. Thank you, Tita Mika.
