Honda ZR-V Review 2024
Honda ZR-V At A Glance
The Honda ZR-V is here to fill a gap that we didn't really know existed. Sitting between the Honda HR-V and CR-V, the new ZR-V is a family SUV that's available exclusively with hybrid power and is set to rival the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage and Renault Austral.
The good news is that the Honda ZR-V is closely related to the latest Honda Civic, and that's one of our favourite family hatches on the market today. Honda hasn't played it safe, though - the ZR-V has its own style, and certainly doesn't look too much like a regular Civic.
You won't find an expansive engine line-up here. The Honda ZR-V is offered exclusively as a hybrid, combining a 2.0-litre petrol engine with a pair of electric motors. Unlike conventional hybrids, though, there isn't ordinarily a direct link between the engine and the wheels - instead, the engine acts like a generator, powering the electric motors which in turn drive the wheels. That's good news for both economy and refinement, with the ZR-V intended to act more like an electric car than a regular petrol model.
It's certainly more relaxing to drive than a lot of hybrids, with a welcome boost in performance over the 1.5-litre Honda HR-V. It's on the firmer end of the SUV scale - you'll notice a bit more of a thud over uneven road surfaces than in a Skoda Karoq, for example. But the flip side of that means it's pretty fun to drive, with impressive cornering composure for a high-riding SUV.
The Honda ZR-V isn't the most practical family SUV on the market, so it might be worth holding out for the new CR-V if you need to carry a lot of luggage. The interior looks and feels exceptionally well finished, though, while standard equipment is impressive.
There are three core models available: Elegance, Sport and Advance. The cheapest Honda ZR-V Elegance more than covers the basics, with standard equipment including a rear-view camera, digital instrument display, navigation and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. It might be worth paying the extra for a ZR-V Sport, though, especially as it's not a great deal more expensive and adds sportier exterior highlights, a power tailgate and ambient interior lighting.
The range-topping Honda ZR-V Advance is very well equipped indeed, with highlights including a heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof and a Bose sounds system.
Prices for the new Honda ZR-V start from around £39,500, while the range tops out at nearly £43,000. That's quite a lot of money for a family SUV, but no more so than alternatives (once you start comparing like-for-like, anyway). The Honda faces some tough competition in a saturated market but, just like the Civic on which it's based, we reckon its superb interior and low running costs make it a surprisingly desirable choice.
We're living with a ZR-V for three months - find out how we get on with it in our Honda ZR-V long-term review.