Honda has shown its hand for the future with a deft shuffle of its SUVs, including the addition of a new model, the ZR-V, slotting in between the present HR-V and CR-V.
While the newcomer is different, it does go somewhat to cramping the style of its older siblings. However, Honda assures us that the coming of the all-new CR-V in 2024, as a bigger, more spacious model than at present, will resolve the situation.
“The Honda ZR-V is Honda Australia’s first, brand-new core model to be introduced in Australia in 20 years and uses an enhanced version of Honda’s global architecture,” said Honda Australia director Carolyn McMahon.
The Civic-based ZR-V comes in three petrol-only grades and a range-topping petrol / electric hybrid. Prices start at $40,200 for the VTi X with the hybrid e:HEV LX costing $54,900. On test was the ZR-V VTi L at $43,200. All prices are drive-away.
Standard equipment on the base model includes premium cloth upholstery, a 9-inch infotainment touch-screen, eight-speaker sound system, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, dual-zone climate control, eight-speaker sound system, 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, 11 airbags, 17-inch wheels, rain-sensing wipers and parking sensors front and back.
In contrast, the VTi L takes on leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, 18-inch alloys, heated door mirrors, hands-free power tailgate, rear privacy glass, combination LED tail-lights and metal paddle shifts.
All ZR-Vs come under Honda’s five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, with 24/7 roadside assist. Service intervals are 12 months or 10,000 kilometres and capped at $199 per visit.
STYLING
At a tad over four-and-a-half metres long, the ZR-V is knocking on the mid-size SUV door. With a forceful front, the radiator grille shows off why black is the new chrome, cropping up in all classes of automobile, from bargain basement compacts to high-end aristocrats and anything in between – a ZR-V, for example.
By contrast, the headlamps flanking the front each share a home with daytime running lights and dynamic direction indicators under a single sleek clear plastic ‘roof’.
In profile the SUV is neither too tall nor too small – a genuine design Goldilocks – and leads to a rear as neat and tidy as a tucked-in shirt. Eighteen-inch alloy wheels are a step up from the entry-level 17s.
INTERIOR
Seating is firm and could give rise to complaints on long journeys. Head and legroom are excellent. However, in the back the high-set floor leaves little room for toes under the front seats.
Out back there’s also a fold-down armrest with cup holders, double USB-C charge points and bottle nest. ISOFIX points are fixed for the outboard edges of the rear bench.
Access to the 380 litres of boot space comes via a power tailgate operated from an external switch, or with a gentle ‘kick’, Sam Kerr-style, to the rear bumper. Fold the 60 / 40 seat backs and 1312 litres becomes available.
The under-floor comes in two parts and can be used to separate cargo. There’s room only for a space saver spare wheel.
Honda has hooked in to the floating centre console with decent-size cubby below.
Deep cup holders are situated ahead of the gearshift switch. Door slots will take 700 ml bottles.
INFOTAINMENT
A 9.0-inch touchscreen is small by present-day standards but is home to a simple menu layout for wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, eight speaker sound system.
The 10.2-inch digital information cluster screen displays a good amount of driver information. Up front are USB-A and USB-C, in the rear two USB-C points.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
The Honda ZR-V VTi L relies on a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine mated with a CVT automatic transmission driving the front wheels.
Maximum power of 131kW comes up at 6000 rpm; top torque of 240 Nm between 1700 and 4500 rpm, making for flexible performance from go to whoa.
SAFETY
The Honda ZR-V leads the class in passive safety with 11 airbags, including a front-centre and driver’s knee airbag.
Active safety includes autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, driver attention monitoring, lane-keep assist, traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, front and rear parking sensors, plus tyre pressure monitoring.
DRIVING
With 240 Nm of torque on tap from a low 1700 revs well managed by the CVT tuning, the ZR-V pulls away with little fuss. Acceleration into a motorway stream of traffic is likewise. Engine, wind and road noise are all-but absent, except in the last case on course surfaces.
Ride and handling are competent thanks to a well-tuned suspension. Town work on test was as expected for a light vehicle, while body roll on fast bends was minimised and road blemishes ironed out with ease.
As a performer, of the three drive modes, Normal is, well normal, for day-to-day city traffic, while Eco saves fuel but obviously dumbs down the driving experience. Sport makes the best of the turbo for a taut response to right-foot input.
Honda puts a combined urban / highway fuel consumption of 7.2 litres per 100 kilometres on the ZV-R petrol vehicle. On test the VTi L came up with 9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and as low as 5 litres per 100 kilometres on the open road.
Driver’s view all round is mostly good but is let down by limited rear-window glass. There’s a neat lock-as-you-walk-away form the vehicle when you have your hands full.
SUMMARY
As a long-time possessor of a self-propelled Honda lawnmower and large house block I have been pleasantly surprised with the machine’s performance and reliability. It makes me wonder if the same could be applied to the company’s new SUV down the track.
