Honda ZR-V Hybrid Review

The Honda ZR-V was launched in 2023, and that is the history lesson. However, it is a medium-sized “Piggy in the middle”, which is positioned in full size above the compact HR-V and under the CR-V. And yes, you are all SUVs. That means every car seems to be big nowadays. To be honest, I am not even sure what is a small, compact, medium-sized or big one-everything feels larger than expected. But I see that as a good thing.

In Great Britain, the Honda ZR-V is offered in three equipment variants. At the time of writing, the prices for the entry-level elegance model begin at £ 40,780, 42,445 GBP for the mid-range sportand £ 44,330 for the top spec Advance payment.

The black paint is available as standard with four optional surfaces in white, blue and red colors. The ZR-V runs as standard on 18-inch alloy wheels.

The exterior

Some said that the ZR-V looks a bit boring, but as an ex-designer I would say that I like the reserved appearance. It’s a clean, simple and well proportioned one design It’s easy for the eye.

This weakened, refined design philosophy is difficult to master, and I know that a lot of time and I thought that the designers do it right. In other words, a thumb is high of me.

The interior

Honda has recalled its language of the interior in recent years, and the ZR-V follows this trend in its newer models. It is cleaner, more focused and offers better user experience.

The materials are a mixture of hard and soft plastic, together with Leatherette, whereby the harder surfaces are strategically placed in areas with low contact. The overall building feels solid, and the few keys reserved for the heating functions have a calming tactile feeling.

Nevertheless, Honda could and should optimize the interior quality, especially if Chinese car brands now offer more first -class cabins, since Premium is now the new entry standard.

Nevertheless, the interior of the ZR-V is a pleasant place. There is plenty of space on the front, and even high adults will feel comfortable on the rear seats.

The starting room is not class leading, but I had no problems with the 390 liters (with sitting upwards), including the underbody bearing. Fold the rear seats down and you get 1,322 liters.

Equipment levels

The equipment levels are also generous on the entry -level model. You will receive Honda Sensing, the suite of driver support technologies of brand-in-one of the adaptive speed control and lane support.

Heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, a keyless entry, a digital driver display and a 9-inch infotainment system are also included. The infotainment software is fairly simple and has a factual user interface and is equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay by default.

The advance cladding tested here adds a driven tailgate, a data protection glass, a panoramic roof roof, electrically adjustable front seats, heated steering wheel, wireless load, a premium-bose sound system and improved adaptive anti-gas pencil headlight with anti-gass beam.

As I always say, give me heated seats and a decent sound system, and I’m happy-everything is another bonus, even in the top specification.

The ride

The chassis and the chassis structure are well executed. The ZR-V takes over the rough streets of Great Britain with composed security and absorb the bumps with ease. It is a light car to drive that feels stable and planted, especially on the highway.

Does the ZR-V deliver razor-sharp sports car handling? Of course not – and why should an SUV be assessed by this tired journalistic trope? It would rather be that it would be comfortable and confident as if it were sliding on rails, even if that means a compromise in direct curvial dynamics.

The drive

The ZR-V is Honda’s bulletproof hybrid drive train, which consists of a 2.0-liter petrol engine with an electric motor and generates 184 hp and 314 Nm torque. The electric motor includes a small 1.1 kWh battery

Electricity is supplied via a CVT automatic transmission. CVTS are not my favorite, but Honda has refined it – it feels more smooth and less tense and is confident and quiet.

The ZR-V is what is generally referred to as self-charging hybrid. The battery offers a total area of ​​approx. 1 miles before charging, which continuously occurs through brakes and rollers. Indeed the battery And in most driving conditions, engine mainly serve as an assist.

Pure electrical driving is only possible at crawling speeds, although the battery, if it is sufficiently charged, can support speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.

Honda hybrids of the previous generation felt in comparison; This feels far more capable, regardless of the drive mode in which you are in. The fuel consumption is also impressive – over 60 MPG in the city and consistent 50 MPG on longer freeway trips.

The judgment

With its subtly puzzling, first-class styling inside and outside, the Honda ZR-V Hybrid is a further solid effort of the company.

It may not scream for attention, but the ZR-V delivers where it counts.