Honda's hybrid hero takes aim at Toyota RAV4! 2023 Honda ZR-V prices confirmed, but what do you get for your spend?

Honda Australia hopes its slowing sales will receive a shot in the arm with the arrival of the ZR-V mid-size SUV later this month, available in four flavours and priced from $40,200 drive-away.

The entry-grade, known as the VTi X, will be topped by the VTi L and VTi LX grade for $43,200 and $48,500 respectively.

However, sitting atop the ZR-V tree is the e:HEV LX hybrid priced at $54,900.

For reference, the HR-V is available in two flavours, the Vi X for $36,700 and e:HEV L for $47,000, while the Civic is served up in VTi-LX form for $47,200 and e:HEV LX grade for $55,000.

The three non-hybrid grades are powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine borrowed from the Civic, producing 131kW/240Nm and paired with a continuously variable transmission.

Meanwhile, the LX scores a 2.0-litre petrol engine and dual electric motors, similar to what is available on the Civic sibling, producing 135kW/315Nm.

Standard equipment in the VTi VX starts with adaptive LED headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zon climate control, fabric interior, a 10.2-inch driver display, and a 9.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto.

Safety systems include Honda's Sensing suite, which includes forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition.

Stepping up to the VTi L adds leatherette seats, heated front seats, 18-inch wheels, a powered tailgate, rear privacy glass, LED tail-lights and shifter paddles.

Honda is positioning the ZR-V between the HR-V and CR-V.

Meanwhile, the VTi LX scores leather seats, two-tone wheels (still 18 inches), body-coloured bumpers and wheelarches, a drive-mode selector, a heated steering wheel, wireless smartphone charger, heated rear seats and power-operated front seats, as well as new safety additions such as rear cross-traffic alert and a surround-view monitor.

The top-spec ZR-V e:HEV LX shares its equipment list with the petrol-powered VTi LX, but also receives a shift-by-wire gear seleector, tyre repair kit (instead of a space-saver spare), a humidity sensor and blue-badging to denote its hybrid powertrain.

All versions are also fitted with a blacked-out front grille.

Inside is a 9.0-inch multimedia touchscreen.

Honda is positioning the ZR-V between the four-seat HR-V launched last year and the incoming new-generation CR-V that will grow in size (and likely price).

As a mid-size SUV offering, the ZR-V competes against the top-selling Mazda CX-5 (from $35,510 before on-road costs), Mitsubishi Outlander (from $37,240) and Toyota RAV4 (from $38,050).

The top-spec ZR-V hybrid meanwhile, is expected to steal sales away from the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (from $40,550) that has an extended wait time, as well as the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (from $56,490) that uses a more plug-in hybrid system.

2023 Honda HR-V drive-away pricing