Honda Brio 1.2 V CVT (Facelift) (2016–2020) (Discontinued) - ฿517,000

On a used Honda Brio 1.2 V CVT (Facelift), the CVT gearbox is the single most important thing to check, because these cars are now several years old and a neglected transmission is the costliest repair. Take it on a test drive long enough to warm up, and feel for shudder or hesitation when pulling away and under steady acceleration. Also look underneath for rust and knocks from the suspension, since a light 940 kg car used hard on broken roads shows its life there first.

The Honda Brio 1.2 V CVT (Facelift) is no longer sold new, so the only way in is the used market, where prices sit well under its THB 517,000 launch price and vary a lot with mileage and condition. Budget beyond the purchase for the usual handover items: fresh fluids, a transmission service, tyres and a battery if the seller cannot show recent records. Insurance and annual tax on a car this small and light are among the gentlest you will find, which is a big part of why it stays popular secondhand.

The Honda Brio 1.2 V CVT (Facelift) is a conventional petrol hatchback, so it refuels anywhere in the country in minutes, while the Wuling Binguo EV asks you to plan around charging, which is still uneven from province to province. The Brio's case rests on simplicity and a rated 20 km/L, and on being a car you can have serviced almost anywhere. If your driving is short and predictable and you have somewhere reliable to charge, the electric route is worth a look; if you drive long distances between towns, the Brio is the less complicated answer.

Yes, the Honda Brio 1.2 V CVT (Facelift) is one of the cheaper cars to feed, with a rated 20 km/L and only a 35 L tank to fill. For an average commute you are looking at roughly one fill a week or less, and the small 1,198 cc engine keeps routine servicing modest too. The bigger variable on a used one is condition, so a car with a tired CVT or worn tyres can wipe out the fuel savings quickly.