Honda ZR-V Review | Honda's new compact SUV

Read Caroline’s Honda ZR-V review for everything you need to know about Honda’s new compact SUV on sale in Ireland.

Honda has been quietly reviving its line-up of cars with new versions of favourites like the Jazz, Civic and CR-V, as well as brand new ones like the Honda ZR-V.

Slotting between the HR-V and the larger CR-V, the new ZR-V is a compact SUV to rival the likes of the Nissan Qashqai, Ford Kuga and Mazda CX-5.

It goes on sale in Ireland priced from €54,995 and is available in three trim levels – Elegance, Sport and Advance.

Let’s take a closer look!

Design

The ZR-V is a brand new model for the Japanese car brand with compact dimensions and safe styling. At the front, the ZR-V features a new oval-shaped grille with a different finish depending on the grade. It’s hard not to think of the Ford Kuga pre-facelift when looking at it, so it’s not quite the most original styling cue compared to the edgy and sporty Civic for instance. The ZR-V’s silhouette is quite plain and generic, as is the rear of the car but altogether it’s not as outlandish as some rivals so will appeal to all kinds of buyers. The Sport is visually the pick of the range with its honeycomb mesh pattern to the grille, black wing mirror caps and gloss black around the wheel arches. The standard wheel size is 18-inch across the range, though the design and finish differs depending on the grade.

Is the ZR-V bigger than the CR-V?

No, the ZR-V is more compact and slots into the Honda range below the Honda CR-V.

Interior

The cabin is a high point for the new ZR-V. A feeling of quality pervades and it’s a nice car to get in and drive every day. The driving position is very good and all the controls fall easily to hand. There’s a digital display with information for the driver and a 9-inch touchscreen. The native graphics are nothing to write home about but seamless smartphone integration with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto means you can bypass it most of the time. The fit and finish is very good with a stylish honeycomb pattern to the full width air vent. Fabric seats come as standard but you can upgrade to leather. There’s a drive-by-wire gear selector on the centre console that’s easy to use.

Elegance models come with heated front seats, parking sensors and parking camera, though you have to go up the trim levels for things like wireless smartphone charging, power adjustment for the front seats, heated steering wheel and a panoramic glass roof.

Practicality

The boot comes in at 380 litres, which is actually a bit smaller than the Civic and not among the best in class for overall boot volume, though it will be fine for many buyers. Honda seems to have prioritised rear legroom, of which there is a lot! The rear seats can also split fold 60:40.

Engine

Like other Hondas, the ZR-V is hybrid only. It’s a 2.0-litre petrol electric hybrid that uses a small capacity battery and two electric motors to boost efficiency. It’s not a plug-in hybrid so doesn’t require to be plugged in to get the best efficiency from the car.

What is the fuel efficiency of the Honda ZR-V?

Honda quotes 5.7 litres per 100 kilometres, which is possible to replicate in real world driving. Motor tax is €270 per year.

Driving

On the road, the ZR-V is great to drive. The hybrid has 184hp and 315Nm of torque and provides a smooth delivery of power. It uses an eCVT transmission but is incredibly quiet and smooth. Honda has even engineered simulated gear changes that give the driver the sense of changing gears – even though it’s not!

0-100km/h is 7.8 seconds and there are a few different driving modes to alter the drive including normal, economy, sport and a snow mode for better traction in winter conditions. A hill descent control is included as standard. There are also paddles behind the steering wheel to adjust the strength of the regenerative braking, which can be used to slow down the car instead of the foot brake.

It’s a very responsive and refined hybrid. Comfort levels are good for a compact SUV, with just a touch of road noise letting the ZR-V down. There’s lean in corners but otherwise it’s got plenty of grip and precise steering to make it a pleasant and competent drive. There’s also the Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance features

Pricing

The Honda ZR-V starts from €54,995 for the Elegance, from €57,595 for the Sport and from €59,995 for the Advance.

Verdict 

Honda has over 20 years experience in hybrid and it shows. The ZR-V hybrid is one of the best on the market for drivability and reliable efficiency. It’s pleasant to drive with a smooth, quiet delivery of power that is not the norm for hybrid SUVs like this – more so the exception, and it’s really to be applauded for that.

When it comes to styling, it’s not a standout star but it makes up for it in the quality, space and comfort of the cabin. The biggest drawback is the price, which is about €10,000 more than starting prices for many key rivals. But it is a wonderfully engineered car and a truly good hybrid SUV.

Welcome back Honda!

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Written by Caroline Kidd

Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year

Honda ZRV Video Review

Interested? Watch my video review of the new Honda ZRV. Take a look around the inside and outside, and come with me on a drive to see what this car has to offer SUV buyers in Ireland!