By: Jason Woosey
If you're looking for a relatively cheap way to transport seven people then you've never been this spoiled for choice.
Nissan's Grand Livina might have left the party, leaving only the Toyota Avanza, its FAW Sirius clone from China and the Mahindra Xylo to fight it out, but then Suzuki recently added its Ertiga to the mix and now Honda comes along with its own space warrior, which it calls the Mobilio.
ROOM FOR SEVEN
To keep costs down - local prices start just below R180 000 - Honda created the Mobilio around a stretched version of the Brio's platform and we really do mean stretched in superlative terms. At 4385mm, the Mobilio is a whole 775mm longer than its city car sibling and the wheelbase has grown by 300mm, while the width of the two cars is almost identical.
All this translates into a can with seating for seven and unlike many rivals there's enough room for more than a handbag in the boot when all three rows are in place as Honda quotes a 223-litre boot capacity. This increases to 521 litres when you fold the third row seat down. This back row has a 50:50 split while the second-row unit has a 60:40 split. The latter also has a slide function to maximise legroom when the row behind is empty and can recline for those that want to take a quick snooze.
TREND OR COMFORT?
Two grades are on offer, with the entry-level Trend sticking to the basics like air conditioning, key-operated central locking, electric windows, tilt-adjustable steering wheel, dual airbags and ABS brakes.
If you've got an extra R19 000 for the Comfort model, your life now includes a four-speaker CD/USB/Aux sound system linked to steering controls as well as remote central locking, electric mirrors and a 12V accessory socket, while rear passengers get their own air vents.
Cosmetic differences between the two are minor as both have 15-inch steel wheels with wheel covers but the Comfort does add colour coded mirrors and door handles, a set of mud flaps and a few extra chrome and metallic accents in the cabin.
STRONG ENGINE
Both models are powered by Honda's familiar 1.5-litre petrol engine that you'll also find beneath the Ballade's bonnet. Mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, the 16-valve i-VTEC engine is rated at 88kW at 6600rpm and 145Nm at 4600rpm.
That puts it at the sharp end of the segment, considering that the Suzuki Ertiga 1.4 offers 70kW and the Toyota Avanza 1.5 musters 76kW. And while you're not going to be racing from robot to robot - Honda does quote a rather decent 10.8 second 0-100km/h run - the extra power will certainly come in handy when you're tackling the open road with seven on board. As for fuel consumption, Honda SA claims a combined figure of 6.1 litres per 100km.
PRICES
1.5 Trend - R179 990
1.5 Comfort - R198 990
Included in the deal is a three-year/100 000km warranty and two-year/30 000km service plan.