Honda ZR-V 2023 review

The ZR-V slots into the Honda range between the HR-V and CR-V, both in terms of size and price. As with all Honda models since it went to the 'agency model' prices are a non-negotiable drive-away figure, so while you may not be able to haggle you do know what you'll be paying when you decide to buy.

There are four models in the initial line-up, starting with the petrol-only VTi X at $40,200, then the VTi L from $43,200 and VTi LX at $48,500 before the hybrid e:HEV LX caps the range at $54,900.

Standard gear includes 17-inch alloy wheels.

Honda has said it hopes to introduce a more affordable hybrid grade in the future, but hasn't locked in any details.

In keeping with its simplified line-up there are only five colour choices across the range - 'Platinum White', 'Platinum Grey', 'Premium Crystal Garnet', 'Crystal Black' and 'Premium Crystal Blue'. And to make things even simpler, the entry-level VTi X can only be had in the first three colours.

It features wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity and digital radio.

The VTi X comes well-equipped, though, even if it's limited in terms of paint options. Standard gear includes 17-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, a 10.2-inch digital instrument panel, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and ignition, two-tone fabric seat trim and a 9.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity and digital radio.

Stepping up to the VTi L adds LED light bars, a hands-free power tailgate, heated side mirrors, black synthetic leather seats with fabric trim and heated front seats.

The range-topping LX pair get a few notable extras including an 'Econ' mode, leather-appointed seat trim, power adjustable driver and front passenger seats, satellite navigation, a wireless smartphone charging pad, a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system and a 360-degree parking camera set-up. The hybrid also has an acoustic warning when it's in EV mode and a 'Smart Key' card.

The range-topping LX pair get a wireless smartphone charging pad.

As soon as you climb aboard the ZR-V (or Honda ZR-V, if you prefer) you notice the clear family resemblance between the latest Civic and this new SUV, with the same design theme carried over.

The most obvious connection between the pair is the horizontal honeycomb strip that runs across the centre of the dashboard to split the multimedia and climate controls.

The digital instrument display and media screen create a hi-tech feeling to the interior that's needed for this type of SUV, particularly at this price.

There’s a thoughtfulness to the layout and design that should appeal to owners over the long run.

In addition, there's a thoughtfulness to the layout and design that should appeal to owners over the long run.

There's plenty of small item storage space, including two cupholders, bottle holders in the doors and two small shelves to pop your phone (on the LX models one of those shelves is the smartphone charging pad). There is both a USB-C and USB-A port in the front as well as a pair of USB-C sockets in the rear.

The seats are comfortable and supportive up front, but the lack of power adjustment is noticed in the two lower model grades.

Space in the second row is good for an SUV of this size, even if the ZR-V is very much on the smaller side of a ‘mid-size’ SUV.

Space in the second row is good for an SUV of this size, even if the ZR-V is very much on the smaller side of a 'mid-size' SUV.

At 180cm I'm able to sit behind my driving position in relative comfort, with adequate head and knee room, although shoulder room is a little tight.

Because of that, getting three adults or older teenagers across the back would be a squeeze, but smaller kids should be fine to sit in the rear.

There’s plenty of small item storage space, including two cupholders.

For younger families there is a pair of ISOFIX anchors in the rear, but once you get two car seats in the middle seat is likely to be very compromised.

Out the back, the boot measures 380 litres in the two lower grades and just 370 litres in the higher grades (thanks to the LX models getting a sub-woofer as part of the premium sound system).

That's slightly below its key rivals, with the CX-5 boasting 438 litres, the Kia Seltos at least 433 litres and the Corolla Cross 436 litres.

This comes despite the ZR-V using a space saver spare for the petrol models and a tyre repair kit for the hybrid.

The power tailgate function on the VTi L and above not only includes the ability to open it with a wave of your foot, but you can also press a button that will close and lock the car once you walk away with the key - which is helpful if you've got both hands full.

As alluded to earlier, there are two powertrain options for the ZR-V -  a turbocharged petrol engine and a petrol-electric hybrid.

The petrol engine is a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit which makes 131kW/240Nm. It's paired to a CVT auto and drives the front wheels only, just like the Civic.

The hybrid system combines a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with an integrated electric motor to make 135kW/315Nm. It gets a unique electronic CVT with shift-by-wire technology reportedly taken from Honda's NSX supercar.

As alluded to earlier, there are two powertrain options for the ZR-V - a turbocharged petrol engine and a petrol-electric hybrid.

Unsurprisingly the e:HEV is the most fuel-efficient member of the ZR-V range, with a claimed urban/highway cycle of 5.0-litres per 100km.

Impressively, on our initial drive of the hybrid, which involved more open road than urban commuting, we managed to hit the official claim. Which is a positive sign but one we'll investigate further during subsequent reviews when we have more time behind the wheel for a more representative test.

That compares to 7.0L/100km for the VTi X with its 17-inch alloys and 7.2L/100km for the VTi L and VTi LX with the bigger 18-inch wheels.

All models use the same 57-litre fuel tank, which gives the hybrid a theoretical range of more than 1100km, the VTi X more than 800km and the VTi L and LX approximately 790km of driving between stops at the petrol bowser.

The safety offered across the ZR-V line-up is impressive, with even the entry-grade VTi X getting a comprehensive suite of passive and active safety features.

On the passive front, there are 11 airbags in total - front, centre, knee, side and full-length curtain airbags.

The ZR-V features the same "donut-shaped" driver's side airbag first introduced on the Civic to try and reduce the amount of head rotation in the event of a crash.

The passenger side gets a three-chamber design, which has been created for the same reason.

Also standard across the range are front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera (although the VTi X and L miss out on the 360-degree parking camera system).

The safety offered across the ZR-V line-up is impressive.

In terms of active safety, the ZR-V comes well-equipped with the 'Honda Sensing' suite which includes forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, a road departure mitigation system, low speed follow, low speed braking control, traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control.

The only safety items the VTi X and VTi L grades miss is blind spot monitoring, while the hybrid gets an acoustic warning in EV mode.

The ZR-V also comes with a five-year subscription to 'Honda Connect' across the entire range. This smartphone connectivity system includes a connection to a 24/7 call centre in the event of an accident.

At the time of publication the ZR-V had not been crash tested by ANCAP so doesn't have a score, but we'll update you if that changes, so stay tuned.