Most of us in Singapore are tightening our purse strings especially when it comes to family mobility. 'Downsizing' is no longer something we pretend we're not doing and saving a few bucks at the supermarket is becoming more important.
And with regards to personal transport, it has become apparent that big is bad and small is good and the less fuel used, the better. Cars have shrunk dimensionally so carmakers have become experts at adding value, cabin stuff and - in the case of the new Honda Mobilio - seats and versatility.
First introduced in 2001, the Mobilio is Honda's seven-seater compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) and is the second model in Honda's Small Max series.
It was replaced by the Honda Freed in 2008 but last year, Honda decided to reintroduce the second generation to markets like India, Indonesia, Phillipines, Singapore and Thailand to compete with models like the Nissan Livina, the Suzuki Ertiga and the Toyota Avanza (the latter being the only one available here).
Exterior
Unlike a boring family carrier, the front end of the Mobilio looks stylish with credit going to the newly styled sporty-looking bumpers. The winged grille that has graced most of Honda's recent cars is also present and it adds some aggression to the fascia.
Things start to get more interesting when you look at its side profile, which sports a broad window line that clearly suggests this MPV has a spacious interior. Huge wheel arches also help boost the look of the Mobilio that, in our opinion, looks the most attractive from the rear.
The back end possesses typical Honda styling with the large wraparound taillights, the integrated roof spoiler and all other elements matching perfectly to give the car its own unique identity.
In spite of its bulbous appearance, the Mobilio only measures 4,398mm x 1,683mm x 1,621mm (L x W x H), dimensions that are just a little bigger than the Jazz's and more on the stationwagon side than an MPV.
Interior
The interior of the Mobilio may be littered with plasticky bits but it's constructed solidly with decent levels of fit and finish, giving you the feeling that it can last longer than just a COE cycle.
Still, Honda has left no stones unturned and has provided all the basic amenities that one expects in an MPV's cabin, wide door aperture for the second and third row passengers' convenience as well as roof-mounted air-conditioning vents to cool them in this hot and humid climate, among others.
While some of these features are pretty much taken for granted in even entry level models, they still count as gratifying comfort aids in a utility vehicle such as the Mobilio.
The interior of the Mobilio may be littered with plasticky bits but it's constructed solidly with decent levels of fit and finish, giving you the feeling that it can last longer than just a COE cycle.
Still, Honda has left no stones unturned and has provided all the basic amenities that one expects in an MPV's cabin, wide door aperture for the second and third row passengers' convenience as well as roof-mounted air-conditioning vents to cool them in this hot and humid climate, among others.
While some of these features are pretty much taken for granted in even entry level models, they still count as gratifying comfort aids in a utility vehicle such as the Mobilio.
Having settled in, occupants will find themselves comfortable and snug in the seats although we found it strange that the second and third rows come with adjustable head rests, but not the front seats.
Nonetheless, Honda, the master of versatility, has managed to showcase its packaging prowess in this car, just like what we first saw with the Jazz about a decade ago. The second row offers rake adjustment and can be folded and tumbled in a 60:40 split with an easy one-touch mechanism.
The third row can also be folded and tumbled in a 50:50 split without much difficulty and by doing this, there is 521 litres of cargo capacity for a few days of shopping.
The Drive
The Mobilio shares the same 1.5-litre engine as the City and the new HR-V and it is a gem in the way it revs happily and hauls the car along without much effort.
The power from the modest motor is decent but it was the CVT's nifty response that made the car feel sprightlier than expected. As such, it takes 11.6 seconds to go from 0 to 100km/h, which is pretty decent for an MPV.
And when the time comes for it to stretch its legs on the expressway, the car's drivetrain grants it enough power when the need arises to pass a slower vehicle.
In spite of us pushing the car hard, the Mobilio proved to be very fuel efficient, returning some 12.5km/L during our three-day test drive. While it may not be as efficient as the City or the Jazz, this figure is rather impressive and quite close to its claimed figure of 16.1km/L.
On the move, the Mobilio is quite pliant over most surfaces, although the suspension is a bit on the stiffer side. Quick lane changes are also not greeted by much MPV-style body roll. What also helps in inspiring driver confidence is the well-weighted steering wheel.
The Mobilio shares the same 1.5-litre engine as the City and the new HR-V and it is a gem in the way it revs happily and hauls the car along without much effort.
The power from the modest motor is decent but it was the CVT's nifty response that made the car feel sprightlier than expected. As such, it takes 11.6 seconds to go from 0 to 100km/h, which is pretty decent for an MPV.
And when the time comes for it to stretch its legs on the expressway, the car's drivetrain grants it enough power when the need arises to pass a slower vehicle.
In spite of us pushing the car hard, the Mobilio proved to be very fuel efficient, returning some 12.5km/L during our three-day test drive. While it may not be as efficient as the City or the Jazz, this figure is rather impressive and quite close to its claimed figure of 16.1km/L.
On the move, the Mobilio is quite pliant over most surfaces, although the suspension is a bit on the stiffer side. Quick lane changes are also not greeted by much MPV-style body roll. What also helps in inspiring driver confidence is the well-weighted steering wheel.
Thus, it is clear that Honda paid a lot of attention in developing the Mobilio's handling abilities, as demonstrated by the MPV's ability to tackle twisties without a sweat. In all honesty, the car makes you feel like you're driving a sedan rather than a seven-seater vehicle.
Conclusion
MPVs aren't new to Honda. It makes popular mid and full-sized ones such as the Stream and the Odyssey. But, with the $127,999 (as of 18th June 2015) Mobilio, its entry in the compact MPV segment, Honda seems to have covered most bases. It is an easy car to drive and does the job it sets out to do very well.
