[3] Developed by Honda R&D Asia Pacific in Thailand, the BR-V has been manufactured and assembled in several Asian countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, India, and Pakistan, and is also sold in Brunei, Mexico, and South Africa.

[4] On 20 August 2015, the first-generation BR-V prototype was unveiled at the 23rd Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show.

It is the third model that was developed by Honda R&D Asia Pacific in Thailand after the Amaze and Mobilio (both also derived from the Brio).

[7] According to Tomoki Uchida, the director of Honda Prospect Motor in Indonesia at the time, the BR-V would "serve as an answer to rising customer demands and needs for an affordable SUV that rides high, has a sleek design and is capable to load 7 passengers at one trip".

[8] As BR-V is targeted particularly for the Asian market, mass production took place at several plants with different commencement date.

The Malaysian version comes with added NVH reduction features compared to those sold in neighboring countries.

[13] By early March 2017, bookings up to 8,500 units were received for the Honda BR-V in Malaysia, making it one of the top selling cars for Honda in Malaysia and resulting in an extended waiting time for the car.

[15] All variant/trim come standard with Electric Power Steering (EPS), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Isofix and reverse camera with parking sensors.

In Malaysia, the BR-V is offered in E, V and SE (Special Edition) trim levels and powered by 1.5L SOHC i-VTEC engine paired with Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT).

[20][21] The first-generation BR-V was launched into the South African market in October 2016 with either manual transmission or CVT options with three trim levels.

[28][29] Development was led by Large Project Leader Parinya Tangwiengwang of Honda R&D Asia Pacific.

[31][32] The second-generation BR-V uses the 1.5-litre L15ZF DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder engine that produces 89 kW (119 hp; 121 PS) at 6,600 rpm along with the continuously variable transmission that is shared with the seventh-generation City, with slight adjustments in tuning.

[33][34] The second-generation BR-V went on production in Indonesia on 13 December 2021 with a claimed localisation level of 80 percent.

[48] The second-generation BR-V was released in Mexico on 8 August 2023, it offered in Uniq and Touring trim levels, all standard with a CVT transmission.