PRACTICAL: 2020 HONDA BR-V 1.5 ELEGANCE M/T
NOTE: WHILE DETAILS OF THE CAR ARE CORRECT, THE NARRATIVE IS IMAGINARY AND USED ONLY TO ILLUSTRATE POSSIBILITIES - GH
Meet the Guptas; not the politically connected ones, although father Babu admits that some reflected wealth could be useful. These Guptas are humble market gardeners, tilling a couple of hectares, a country mile beyond the Village where a handful of workers live with their families.
There’s Babu, mother Kannama (Mummy), first-born Aabharama (Aabi) who helps dad at the market, eldest son Aarav (Ravi), who’s away at university, and leggy teenagers Denesh, Kisten and Rubi.
Aabi, whose name means Jewel, is just that when it comes to working at the market. Her sparkling personality and, when needed, subtle flirtatiousness could charm the silken slippers off royalty if need be. Babu, on the other hand, is charming, friendly and so eager to assist even the stubbornest expat ladies willingly part with a few rupees more than they’d planned on spending.
When you get down to it vegetables are just commodities so, with similarly priced and equally delectable goods at other stalls close by, competition is fierce. Successful marketers need an edge. The Guptas have theirs.
Work begins at 4am, harvesting the day’s market needs while the crop is still dew-fresh. It is rinsed, sorted, boxed and loaded into the family’s only vehicle, a 2020 Honda BR-V 1.5 Elegance with sixspeed manual gearbox.
Its third- and second-row seats fold and tumble in pairs, creating two distinct loading areas; one each for hard vegetables, like potatoes and pumpkins, and soft ones like cabbages or lettuces.
By 5.30am, Babu and Aabi are ready for the 20km trek, along dodgy gravel roads, to the market square in Town. He’s glad his Honda offers 210mm of ground clearance to clear the stones and ruts of their journey.
This is their second BR-V, chosen because it’s possibly the roomiest of the small family seven-seaters and certainly the most powerful; big families and heavy cargoes need all the energy possible.
Although Babu isn’t fussed about having the latest technology, Aabi cajoled him into buying the Elegance version. It has a new seven-inch display audio system with colour touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity and reversing camera.
Their previous BR-V didn’t have the phone connection so, although she could answer hers, Dad couldn’t safely join in when needed.
Other neat things include LED DRLs, pushbutton start, added soundproofing for more peaceful driving, automated door-locking and rear parking sensors to make manoeuvring less of a hassle.
Also new are folding wing mirrors for easing through tight gateways.
They have always liked the Comfort and Elegance models’ automatic air conditioning, with rooftop vents and fan, directing chilled air into the rear compartment. While no real substitute for refrigeration, it helps keep merchandise cooler in hot weather; a further selling point that they emphasise to early arrivals at the market.
The Guptas’ BR-V suits all their needs for now although something more luxurious might be nice to have someday. For the moment, they’re content.
Test unit from Honda SA press fleet.