2025 Honda ZR-V assessment | CarExpert

The Honda ZR-V isn’t the apparent selection for a smaller mid-sized SUV, nevertheless it’s not instantly clear why.

Positive, there are higher sellers within the mid-sized SUV section just like the Mazda CX-5 and Kia Sportage, which each have better breadth of their respective mannequin ranges.

The ZR-V, in the meantime, is much less common and and neither is it probably the most reasonably priced, whereas its styling is bound to polarise for one cause or one other.

Certainly, it chalked up simply 4092 gross sales for the whole thing of 2024, in comparison with the 22,835 and 22,210 recorded by the CX-5 and Sportage respectively.

That sees the ZR-V slot in between the HR-V and CR-V not solely when it comes to measurement but in addition gross sales inside the Japanese model’s native SUV lineup. Final yr the HR-V discovered 3350 new properties in Australia, whereas the CR-V racked up 5547 gross sales.

Nonetheless, there’s quite a bit to love in regards to the ZR-V when you begin delving into the spec sheets. It’s based mostly on Honda’s Civic hatchback, which is significantly dearer.

The long-running small hatch is hybrid-only, whereas the ZR-V is accessible in three petrol variants and a top-shelf hybrid flagship, which makes it extra accessible price-wise.

There aren’t a number of customary options lacking regardless of the cheaper price both, and you continue to get the identical high quality inside seen within the Civic and most of its essential security gear.

On take a look at right here is the range-opening Honda ZR-V VTi X+, which has no hybrid tech and is the one variant with an inventory value beneath $40,000. Does it need to promote higher, or is its unpopularity justified?

How a lot does the Honda ZR-V value?

The VTi X+ opens the ZR-V vary at $37,900 drive-away.

Its most direct rival is the Mazda CX-5, which ranges in value from $36,950 to $55,000 earlier than on-road prices and is accessible with three engine configurations and both front- or all-wheel drive, however with no hybrid help.

The ZR-V can be in contrast in opposition to the Skoda Karoq, priced from $39,990 to $56,590 earlier than on-roads. Just like the Mazda it’s accessible with each front- and all-wheel drive and no hybrid tech, although with solely two engines.

It additionally differs from the Honda with its inclusion of both a torque converter or dual-clutch automated transmission as a substitute of a repeatedly variable transmission (CVT).

To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument

What’s the Honda ZR-V like on the within?

Clear, easy, and classically Honda.

When it comes to format, all the things simply is smart. Meaning you gained’t spend an excessive amount of time making an attempt to get used to all of it, and Honda’s rock-solid construct high quality is straight away obvious.

Just like the Civic it’s based mostly on, you’ll discover the hexagonal mesh that spans the width of the sprint. It’s a easy but efficient design component, to not point out a intelligent strategy to cover the 4 air vents up entrance.

Controlling these vents is finished by way of the bodily local weather system beneath, which – very similar to the Civic, once more – includes three dials and a handful of buttons. There are, understandably, some button blanks for capabilities like seat heating which are solely discovered on higher-spec ZR-Vs.

Even so, it provides to the inside’s extra premium look, which helps make it one of many nicest interiors on this section. It’s a very good house to spend time in, because the buttons across the cabin – specifically as a part of the local weather system – are very satisfying to work together with.

Every thing in right here feels prime quality, with button actions feeling agency and dials turning with a crisp, notchy motion. Now we have no cause to consider these gained’t stand the take a look at of time both.

That every one continues as much as the 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, the place you’ll discover some extra shortcut buttons and one other a type of notchy dials.

It could be small by fashionable requirements, however its show is sharp and simple to navigate. A number of giant shortcuts are proven on its residence display, and there are many settings so that you can dive into and tinker with.

As a bonus you get wi-fi Apple CarPlay, which labored reliably throughout our week with the automobile. Android customers will nonetheless have to plug in to function their native smartphone mirroring software program, which will be executed by both the USB-A or USB-C port discovered on both facet of the ‘bridge’ in the midst of the cabin.

It’s possible you’ll not even discover this bridge once you first get within the automobile, nevertheless it’s one other manner Honda has been capable of squeeze out some extra space for storing, because of the tray beneath.

Its inclusion has allowed for a handful of driving-related buttons to be fitted on high for ease of entry, nevertheless it means the cupholders have been moved forward of the traditional-style gear selector. Fortunately, there’s simply sufficient house above these two cupholders to nonetheless have the ability to match taller bottles.

In entrance of that could be a storage cubby suitably sized for telephones and wallets, in addition to a 12V outlet above it. It’s all very sensible and nice in look, thanks largely to the leather-based end on the centre console.

Our solely gripe with supplies within the cabin is the usage of shiny black plastic across the gear selector, which attracts mud and smudges even when it shouldn’t be a high-touch space.

Extra of that plastic is sadly additionally discovered on the steering wheel spokes, however the wheel itself is a high quality unit. It’s properly sized and leather-wrapped, which suggests it’s satisfying to carry on the street and throw round if vital.

It might not be flashy or outstanding by any stretch, however that works to its benefit. The identical will be stated for the buttons on the wheel, that are all completed in uninteresting plastic and work as reliably as all the things else within the cabin.

On the fitting are driving help controls we’ll delve into later, and on the left are the infotainment controls.

That small curler on the backside will be pressed too, which is the way you work together with the settings discovered inside the 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster.

Unsurprisingly, it’s a easy setup headlined by clear graphics. It’s in line with different Honda merchandise in its presentation and is simple to navigate and alter.

One other energy is the ZR-V’s seats. As it is a base-spec mannequin you don’t get leather-appointed upholstery, however the material various stays extremely snug – to not point out friendlier to the cabin’s occupants on sizzling Australian days.

Place adjustment is expectedly guide, however there’s a very good vary of motion that can assist you get located. You’ll additionally take pleasure in tilt and attain adjustment from the steering wheel to assist.

We’d cease wanting calling the second row of the ZR-V spacious, however there’s greater than sufficient room again there to remain snug on longer drives.

The ZR-V’s excessive roofline means head room isn’t a difficulty, although it’s possible you’ll run into some points when you’re unfortunate sufficient to have to sit down behind somebody tall up entrance.

That material upholstery continues right here, and the bench itself is surprisingly gentle. To assist get snug, there’s a fold-down centre armrest and – not like the smaller HR-V – an precise center seat.

Slender as it could be, it’s nonetheless a profit to have all three seats able to go, even when they’re solely going for use on uncommon events. Practicality within the again is boosted by Honda’s fitment of three top-tether factors and two ISOFIX anchors for youngster seats.

Moreover, passengers could make use of two USB-C ports and the twin rear-facing air vents on the again of the centre console, whereas storage is proscribed to bottle holders within the doorways and a map pocket on the again of the driving force’s seat.

The ZR-V’s boot affords beneficiant ground house, although vertical capability is compromised by the roofline that drops aggressively as soon as it passes the rear seats. On the high is at the very least a sturdy privateness cowl, which will be eliminated for a bit of further respiratory room.

On all sides is a lightweight that may activate once you open the guide tailgate, in addition to small plastic cargo hooks. An extra 12V outlet and a small cargo web are discovered on the driving force’s facet solely.

Luckily, all non-hybrid ZR-V fashions are fitted with a space-saver spare wheel as customary, and beneath the boot ground is the place you’ll discover a handful of instruments to make an impromptu swap potential. On the boot’s rearmost edge can also be an underfloor nook for smaller odds and ends.

All up it’s a wonderfully usable house, although it’s smaller than a CX-5 (438L) and Karoq (521L). It’s value remembering you gained’t have the simplest time transporting tall gadgets or giant pets again right here, and it’s unlucky that that is the one ZR-V with out a powered tailgate.

That being stated, we respect the cabin’s presentation as a complete – it’s a cohesive design that feels prefer it’s been assembled to a formidable customary.

To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument

What’s beneath the bonnet?

Like the opposite two non-hybrid ZR-Vs, the VTi X+ is fitted with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine pumping out 131kW of energy and 240Nm of torque by a CVT automated transmission. The e:HEV LX as a substitute makes use of a 2.0-litre hybrid four-cylinder mated with an e-CVT.

Our week with the automobile primarily concerned freeway driving, plus some stints on regional roads and suburban streets.

A lot of the driving wasn’t notably frugal both. There have been a number of visitors jams and moments with a heavy proper foot, so we had been impressed that we bettered Honda’s gasoline financial system declare – although financial system would virtually definitely worsen with extra metropolis driving.

To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument

How does the Honda ZR-V drive?

In a surprisingly strong method, when it comes to each engine and chassis efficiency.

Beginning with the engine, which regardless of missing any type of hybrid help is pretty peppy. Lay into the throttle and also you’ll discover how rapidly it picks up, with little slip from the entrance wheels on dry roads.

Accelerating with some steering lock utilized will naturally induce a point of torque steer, nevertheless it’s not unmanageable.

Below load there’s a good quantity of engine noise on account of each the small-displacement four-cylinder and the repeatedly variable transmission it’s mated to.

There’s additionally no strategy to “shift gears” your self, as there’s no guide mode on the gear selector nor any paddle shifters on the wheel. Even so, slotting the selector into Sport mode will create pretend shifts at excessive revs, that are surprisingly convincing.

It’s the identical deal within the Civic, and given the CVT can create the phantasm of lightning-fast shifts, you do get one thing vaguely paying homage to a child race automobile. It’s a enjoyable little twist in an in any other case customary commuter.

Supporting that’s properly weighted steering really feel. There’s a very good degree of response from the wheel at various speeds, and a convincing steadiness has been struck between being too gentle and too heavy.

You possibly can’t alter the steering really feel as there aren’t any devoted drive modes past Regular and Econ, however that isn’t a difficulty. The usual configuration provides to the strong building of the automobile general, making it really feel all of the extra premium – even when it isn’t a premium automobile.

Then there’s the chassis, which feels equally well-sorted. There’s a sturdy high quality to the ZR-V’s on-road traits – at the very least in non-hybrid fashions – that makes it a pleasure to drive.

That’s particularly evident alongside the HR-V, which isn’t intently associated however feels considerably flimsy compared. You possibly can really feel that the ZR-V is heavier, which is a constructive distinction.

A last be aware relating to its on-road really feel has to do with the ZR-V’s suspension setup. It’s on the firmer facet and that’s definitely noticeable on tough roads, nevertheless it stays compliant sufficient to stay snug in every single place else.

A profit is that it handles higher than among the competitors, with decreased physique roll compared. It’s one other case of a car seemingly working with you to make driving simpler, and its bodily traits are simple to stay with.

The ZR-V additionally advantages from well-calibrated security gear. No obnoxious beeps or bongs are happening when you’re driving, although the automobile will generally throw a false warning when it thinks you stray near the lane markings.

Driver help techniques like adaptive cruise management work nicely to match visitors, whereas lane centring can also be dependable on the freeway. Even tighter bends don’t pose an excessive amount of of a difficulty, nevertheless it’s not flawless to the purpose the place you’d need depart it alone on nation roads.

This base ZR-V nonetheless advantages from a breadth of security gear as customary too, which incorporates blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, however there’s no surround-view digicam.

Luckily, visibility out the edges and rear of the ZR-V is sweet. The rear window is on the smaller facet however stays completely usable, whereas the facet home windows are appropriately sized for head checks.

Entrance and rear parking sensors help in low-speed driving, the previous of which is especially helpful due to the ZR-V’s sloping bonnet.

A reversing digicam can also be customary, although like within the Civic its decision leaves a bit of to be desired.

In any other case, the ZR-V stays a simple automobile to drive. It units out to get the job executed merely, and it does that nicely.

Even with out hybrid tech it stays surprisingly environment friendly, whereas its engine – regardless of being small in displacement and counting on turbo increase – by no means feels laggy or overly strained.

There’s an aura of high quality to the way in which the ZR-V drives, and tat’s supported by minimal street and wind noise, which is particularly evident on the VTi X+ with its smaller alloys and meatier tyres.

To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument

What do you get?

There are 4 variants within the ZR-V vary, and the VTi X+ sits on the very backside.

ZR-V VTi X+ gear highlights:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• House-saver spare wheel
• Adaptive LED headlights
• Energetic cornering lights
• Rain-sensing wipers with built-in washer nozzles
• Hill descent management
• 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay
• Wired Android Auto
• 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster
• Eight-speaker sound system
• Black cloth upholstery
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
• Upholstered centre console with French stitching
• Entrance USB ports (1 x USB-A and 1 x USB-C)
• Rear USB ports (2 x USB-C)
• Rear air vents
• 60:40 break up/fold rear seats

To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument

Is the Honda ZR-V secure?

All Honda ZR-V variants have a four-star ANCAP security ranking based mostly on testing performed on hybrid fashions by sister organisation Euro NCAP in 2023.

Customary security gear contains:

• 11 airbags
  • Twin entrance and entrance knee airbags
  • Centre airbag
  • Entrance and rear facet airbags
  • Full-length curtain airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Bike owner detection
• Adaptive cruise management with low-speed comply with
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Driver consideration monitoring
• Lane-keep help
• Visitors Jam Help
• Visitors signal recognition
• Entrance and rear parking sensors
• Tyre strain monitoring

ZR-V VTi LX and above obtain a surround-view digicam.

To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument

How a lot does the Honda ZR-V value to run?

Honda backs its ZR-V vary with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, and servicing is required each 12 months or 10,000km – whichever comes first.

The Japanese model additionally affords a ‘Honda Lengthen’ program, by which house owners can lengthen their car’s guarantee by as much as three years in the event that they service often at a Honda Service Centre.

An extra three years of roadside help is accessible beneath the identical circumstances.

To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument

CarExpert’s Tackle the Honda ZR-V VTi X+

We just like the ZR-V, and even going for this base-spec model gained’t depart you wanting extra.

In fact, whereas Toyota has confirmed hybrids do promote, Honda is but to comply with go well with with the Accord or Civic, and there may be now additionally a petrol-electric model of the ZR-V if you wish to trip that bandwagon. Downside is that variant prices almost $55,000 earlier than on-roads, which is quite a bit to cough up for a comparatively small medium SUV.

As an alternative, the petrol variations aren’t solely extra reasonably priced however snug and habitable, to not point out environment friendly sufficient to keep away from breaking the financial institution in each day commuting.

If you happen to’re going to go for a petroleum ZR-V, why not save your money and go for the most affordable possibility when you’re at it?

The VTi L+ and VTi LX have bigger wheels, a nicer sound system, energy tailgate, and power-adjustable seats, however they’re much less environment friendly and price a good bit extra.

As an alternative, the bottom ZR-V retains a wholesome record of normal gear and nonetheless prices lower than $40,000 earlier than on-roads. It doesn’t actually really feel like a base-spec mannequin both, which makes it exhausting to look previous.

We like its inside presentation and wonderful construct high quality, and on the street it feels composed and considerably zippy whereas remaining snug and quiet sufficient.

As a bonus, its security tech is much from insufferable and is usually simple to stay with, and early-life servicing prices are ridiculously low cost. Plus, you get extra inside house that in a HR-V, and it prices lower than a Civic.

Sure, a VTi X+ priced within the low-$30,000 vary would make extra sense and promote a lot better, and naturally it will be good if Honda additionally provided cheaper variations of the hybrid ZR-V, as with the Hyundai Kona. However Hondas aren’t identified for his or her affordability in Australia, in order that’s simply wishful pondering.

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