IN a market increasingly dominated by crossover SUVs, compact hatchbacks like the recently updated Honda Brio 1.2 V CVT continue to hold their own. They remain a popular choice, especially among first-time and budget-conscious car buyers. Spending more than a week with the refreshed Brio 1.2 V CVT reminded me why these small wonders have enduring appeal.

My first encounter with this generation of the Brio was in 2019 during a media drive hosted by Honda Cars Philippines Inc. We took the then-new Brio on a journey to La Union and even ventured up to Baguio before returning to Manila. It was a memorable experience. I was struck by the spaciousness of the interior, which made it feel larger than its segment peers.