close
close

Road Test Honda BR-V: Driving with Safety Assistant

 Testing the latest Honda BR-V, we took special time to feel the sensation of the driving support package, Honda Sensing. Yes, this is a series of systems that we call 'driving alertness-enhancing technologies.'

On the All New BR-V, Honda Sensing is only available in the Prestige variant. The affix of this package makes the Prestige type increase its price to almost Rp. 20 million. What does it do, and how do you operate it?

Road Test Honda BR-V: Driving with Safety Assistant

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), is not a new feature in Indonesia. Many vehicles have been using it since more than a decade ago. However, for the Low SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) car class with a psychological price of Rp. 300 million, this is a new feature with a very high value.

This feature is very useful and can only be used when we drive it on the highway. Because, in Indonesia, roads other than toll roads, ordinary roads will be too crowded and have the potential to disrupt the work of this system. Once activated, actually not only the average speed is maintained, ACC has the advantage of keeping a distance from the vehicle in front of it.

The speed level will continue to be maintained until the maximum point we set. If it is more than that and the car in front leaves us, the system will alert the driver. You also have the choice here to increase the speed, or stay at a predetermined speed.

When the vehicle in front slows down, the BR-V will follow suit. In fact, down to a relatively low speed. For example, when you slow down to enter the toll gate, this is one of the advantages of the ACC BR-V which is equipped with Low Speed Follow (LSF). Well, but this feature will not follow again if the vehicle in front has stopped. Being able to follow from a standstill, it's a more sophisticated feature that doesn't exist in the BR-V. However, Honda got around this by embedding the Lead Car Departure Notification System (LCDN).

LCDN is a notification system that will alert the driver when the vehicle in front leaves us. The trick is to detect the vehicle in front of it. We note that this feature only operates when ACC is active. It seems to work as a companion speed regulator.

When the vehicle in front, which was previously being followed, is detected to stop and then continues its journey, the LCDN will give a warning via the instrument panel and sound. We also noted that the distance must be quite close, under 10 meters, then the LCDN reads the behavior of the car in front of it. And, of course, not all stop and go conditions that he warns about, if your car and in front of it stop for more than a few seconds, then it will detect it.

Another feature in the Honda Sensing package on the IDR 346 million BR-V is the Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS). Keeping the car in the middle of the marked lane, is its main function. It will correct continuously if the car starts approaching the line. The system can also operate very fast, soft and responsive.

This fast, gentle and responsive description, even though it seems simple in a sentence, has a very up-to-date meaning. LKAS sensor, very quick to read various changes in the direction of the car. Immediately, there was a correction on the steering wheel, but it didn't interfere with driving. Soft, and not to lock the movement that we might really want.

No less helping to make driving safer is the Road Departure Mitigation System (RDMS). When we use this technology, it acts as a simpler LKAS system. If LKAS keeps the car in the lane, then RDMS will keep the car on the road. The RDMS system can also work alone, without the need for LKAS to be activated.

Both LKAS and RDMS, can be disabled and the response adjusted according to the driver's preferences. Our advice, take a special time for you to understand and try these two steering control guidance systems, before finally deciding to adjust the response level, or when finally using it every day.

Also interesting is the presence of the Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS) which controls braking. How it works, the system will take control of the deceleration if there is a potential collision from the vehicle and moving object in front.

Uniquely, when we use it, what is detected is not only a slowing car. Motorcycles, bicycles and even pedestrians, if detected by the camera, have the potential to be hit, the CMBS will be active. The warnings are loud noises and visual notifications on the instrument panel, and if we don't brake right away, the new BR-V will brake automatically.

The entire Honda sensing system on the All New BR-V, we think is very functional. In the midst of the low sensitivity of road users to the safety aspect, this feature can increase the alertness of the driver.

Of course, relying on this system is no guarantee that safety can be left entirely to the vehicle. You as the driver, remain the safety operator.

It should also be noted that both ACC, LKAS, RDMS, and CMBS do increase the car's ability to interact on the road automatically with respect to various variables that may exist. However, it is not a semi-autonomous feature or the like. So, taking your hands off the wheel and leaving control to the system, we highly don't recommend!

The presence of the Honda Sensing feature on the BR-V, is indeed rewarded at a price that cannot be said to be cheap. IDR 346.6 million, to redeem it. If you think this feature is not included in the list of specifications you need, then there is no need to judge it as expensive, after all, there is a Prestige type with relatively the same equipment (without Honda Sensing, and 4 airbags) at a price of Rp. 327.6 million.

The Assistant

The eye that becomes the main monitoring post of all Honda Sensing features in the latest BR-V is the front camera. This camera is one in number, located behind the center mirror and behind the windshield. Supported by a lens with a wide viewing angle, it is your additional eye to increase driving alertness.

In order for the system to work properly, the cleanliness of the glass in front of it also needs to be maintained. Always make sure the glass in front of the camera lens is clean, before traveling or continuing on a trip

0 comments:

Post a Comment