The Honda ZR-V is a premium-pitched mid-size SUV different to the prolific Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage, with its high-end tilt seeing it match up roughly on worth to the a lot older Mazda CX-5.
As Honda’s latest nameplate, the five-door, five-seat ZR-V was launched right here in 2023, with the flagship LX variant we’re testing right here being the one mannequin grade to supply a hybrid powertrain till a deliberate replace later in 2026.
It’s additionally provided with a variety of petrol engines, however the hybrid ZR-V blends the perfect gasoline economic system within the lineup with essentially the most complete tools checklist to make it a convincing on-paper proposition.
The ZR-V was the second hottest Honda within the Australian vary in 2024 after the CR-V, and the Japanese model’s third hottest mannequin in 2025 behind its different two SUVs – the smaller HR-V and bigger CR-V – so ought to Honda’s number-three best-seller be your primary?
How a lot does the Honda ZR-V value?
The ZR-V e:HEV – which means ‘electrical’ Hybrid Electrical Automobile – is obtainable solely on this LX flagship, priced at $54,900 earlier than on-road prices however together with pearlescent paint.
| Mannequin | Drive-away worth |
|---|---|
| 2026 Honda ZR-V VTi X+ | $37,900 |
| 2026 Honda ZR-V VTi L+ | $43,400 |
| 2026 Honda ZR-V VTi LX | $49,000 |
| 2026 Honda ZR-V e:HEV LX | $54,900 |
That’s $5900 greater than the checklist worth of the purely petrol-powered LX however over $2000 lower than the top-spec front-wheel drive model of the brand new RAV4 Cruiser – with a 2.5-litre HEV setup – at $56,990 earlier than on-roads.
Whereas virtually $55k isn’t what you’d name low cost for a smallish front-drive mid-size SUV, the brand new RAV4 Cruiser all-wheel drive (one thing no ZR-V is out there with) is even pricier at $60,340 plus on-roads.
Our check automotive is completed in Nordic Forest, which was added to the color palette in 2025, with the brilliant Premium Crystal Blue Metallic paintwork provided for the MY24 ZR-V e:HEV LX now not obtainable.
To see how the Honda ZR-V traces up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
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What’s the Honda ZR-V like on the within?
The Honda ZR-V LX’s premium, nicely thought-out inside comes with smooth but supportive leather-upholstered seats, with a design formed by natural, smooth curves somewhat than straight traces, including some welcome model.
The darkish cabin color of our check automotive – the one inside obtainable – includes refined gray stitching on the doorways, sprint and centre console, the place there’s a ‘floating’ part offering stowage beneath it, including to the generously deep, conventionally positioned central storage bin.
The gear selector – which has built-in push-buttons as an alternative of a bodily shift mechanism – is steel, not plastic, and there are bodily textured buttons for the air-conditioning.
Additional elevating the inside design are thick, steering column-mounted stalks for the headlights, indicators and windscreen wipers, that are sturdy but have a soft-edged, premium motion.
The steering wheel rim has a improbable leather-based wrap and is of excellent thickness, making it really feel stable but not such as you’re driving with mitts on, and it’s completely sized and positioned with loads of rake and attain adjustment.
It hosts audio and cruise management buttons, amongst others, together with a naff placement of the steering wheel heating button on the decrease a part of the central spoke.
The entrance driver’s seat has two reminiscence settings for its electrical adjustment – together with peak, which is lacking from the entrance passenger’s energy seat.
The ten.2-inch digital instrument cluster is crisp and reveals the fundamentals, as per different ZR-V grades, together with superior driver help system (ADAS) features corresponding to lane-centring, however this hybrid additionally shows when electrical energy is getting used.
The show modifications color, too, to point which of the three driving modes you’re in, however the ZR-V’s devices don’t have the extent of customisation to match some rivals – and there’s no head-up show.
On the plus facet, there’s one other bodily knob for audio quantity beneath the central touchscreen – along with the steering wheel controls – and it’s even on the motive force’s facet.
The multimedia display screen is 9.0-inch and noticeably smaller than the touchscreens in among the ZR-V’s rivals, together with the RAV4 (at the least 10.5-inch) and CX-5 (10.2-inch), and contains a devoted energy supply meter displaying powertrain vary and effectivity.
Whereas easy to make use of, the graphics of the touchscreen are maybe just a little primary in comparison with the sophistication of the remainder of the cabin, and the ZR-V’s in any other case understated class and confidence total.
There’s additionally wi-fi smartphone connectivity, plus wi-fi charging – which labored each time – for a single cellphone beneath the sprint.
There’s a great deal of entrance headroom, and whereas the ZR-V’s cabin isn’t the widest, it’s removed from cramped. The second row has a tad much less headroom – and once more, three adults can be a squeeze – however two adults are simply accommodated within the again.
There are additionally rear air vents on the again of the centre console – and two USB-C ports – plus a centre armrest with cupholders, and 4 audio system.
There are additionally three top-tether factors and a pair of ISOFIX anchors within the second row for little one seats, whereas the cargo space has a two-tier ground – however no spare wheel.
The hybrid loses 10 litres of boot house in contrast with petrol-only ZR-Vs, making it 370L, which is expandable to 1302L with the second-row seatbacks folded down. That’s lower than within the RAV4 (580L/1690L), CX-5 (506L/1620L) and Nissan Qashqai (452L/1518L).
| Dimensions | VTi X+, VTi L+ | VTi LX, e:HEV LX |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 4568mm | 4568mm |
| Width | 1840mm | 1840mm |
| Peak | 1620mm | 1620mm |
| Wheelbase | 2655mm | 2655mm |
| Cargo capability | 380L (rear seats up, incl. under-floor storage) 1312L (rear seats down, measured to roof) 876L (rear seats down, measured to window) |
370L (rear seats up, incl. under-floor storage) 1302L (rear seats down, measured to roof) 866L (rear seats down, measured to window) |
To see how the Honda ZR-V traces up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
What’s underneath the bonnet?
The ZR-V e:HEV is each essentially the most potent and fuel-efficient member of the ZR-V lineup, with a hybrid system comprising a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and an digital repeatedly variable computerized transmission (eCVT) containing a pair of electrical motors to supply whole outputs of 135kW of energy and 315Nm of torque.
| Specs | ZR-V petrol | ZR-V hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L 4cyl turbo-petrol | 2.0L 4cyl petrol-electric |
| Whole outputs | 131kW 240Nm |
135kW 315Nm |
| Transmission | CVT | e-CVT |
| Drive sort | Entrance-wheel drive | Entrance-wheel drive |
| Weight(kerb) | 1470-1510kg | 1586kg |
| Gasoline economic system (claimed) | 7.0L/100km (VTi X+) 7.2L/100km (VTi L+, VTi LX) |
5.0L/100km |
| Gasoline economic system (as examined) | N/A | 5.4L/100km |
| Gasoline tank capability | 57L | 57L |
| Gasoline requirement | 91-octane common unleaded | 91-octane common unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 171.7g/km (VTi X+) 175g/km (VTi L+, VTi LX) |
115.2g/km |
| Emissions normal | Euro 6b | Euro 6b |
The petrol-electric powertrain makes this the heaviest ZR-V, too, weighing 76kg greater than the equally outfitted non-hybrid ZR-V VTi LX, with a kerb weight of 1586kg.
Mixed gasoline consumption is 5.0L/100km, which is barely greater than the RAV4’s 4.7L/100km however considerably lower than petrol-only ZR-V variants, which devour between 7.0 and seven.2L/100km relying on mannequin grade.
It additionally offers the ZR-V e:HEV a theoretical vary of 1140km from its 57-litre petrol tank.
In the actual world, we left the ZR-V largely in Regular mode round city, permitting the car to determine whether or not petrol or electrical energy was finest for any given utility, and noticed 5.4L/100km throughout our time with it.
To see how the Honda ZR-V traces up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
How does the Honda ZR-V drive?
The ZR-V is a star performer from the motive force’s seat – and lives as much as conventional Honda expectations by feeling like a completely engineered premium SUV.
The leather-trimmed driver’s seat has loads of electrical adjustment – and two reminiscence settings – and loads of steering column adjustment means you’ll simply discover the right place for the leather-wrapped steering wheel, which is of perfect dimension, thickness and really feel.
Fuller-bodied ZR-V drivers might discover the seats a tad slim – we had been sitting partly on the facet bolsters – however they’re not uncomfortable and will even do with extra bolstering.
Except for the dash-mounted starter button, you’ll discover push-buttons on the centre console to pick out Drive – with a inexperienced mild band encompass displaying it’s prepared – plus an odd swap to pick out Reverse, and extra buttons for Impartial and Park.
The hybrid powertrain is easy, kicking off in EV mode and presenting a responsive throttle – which is nice in visitors, but its sharpness is balanced nicely sufficient to permit small actions when parking.
The swap between EV mode – indicated by a inexperienced ‘EV’ mild on the crisp digital instrument cluster – and petrol engine propulsion is near-seamless, and the two.0-litre engine’s whir is quiet and unobtrusive, earlier than rising to a characterful but raspy observe while you stab the accelerator pedal.
The steel paddles on the steering wheel alter brake regeneration ranges to high up the battery, and you may also swap out the default Regular drive mode for both Eco or Sport – although neither gives drastic modifications to the driving expertise.
That’s not a foul factor, as a result of the ZR-V completely excels from behind the wheel. The graceful powertrain – delivering loads of energy, which it places by means of the entrance wheels largely with out fuss – is teamed with crisp, correct steering.
The suspension – which incorporates an unbiased rear-end because of underpinnings shared with the wonderful Civic – delivers a cushty trip on the 18-inch alloys, isolating bumps beautifully with out feeling soggy or overly smooth.
The identical is true for physique management, with an excellent chassis package deal that settles rapidly round corners and delivers loads of lateral grip from its Bridgestone tyres.
Push the ZR-V outdoors its consolation zone and it stays shockingly good. Its cornering prowess, once more inherited from the Civic, hasn’t been diluted by the step up in trip peak, delivering class-leading poise and highway holding.
Other than occasional wheelspin in case you trounce it off the road, it’s unflappable and easily nice to drive, which is one thing you possibly can’t say of too many SUVs.
On the freeway, its smoothness and refinement come to the fore, with easy-to-use adaptive cruise management, good all-round imaginative and prescient, and a driver help suite that’s typically not too intrusive.
We discovered the lane-centring system didn’t truly place the ZR-V in the midst of its lane, as an alternative sitting it barely to at least one facet – not a significant challenge, but it surely did trigger us to verify if the system was on.
The ZR-V is a extremely polished, satisfyingly poised and really well-engineered SUV – there’s not an oz of sloppiness or vagueness in its trip/dealing with package deal – that shows refreshingly good steadiness and behavior in all kinds of highway situations.
The truth is, the ZR-V is a revelation for a comparatively compact SUV – it drives just like the premium product it’s pitched as.
To see how the Honda ZR-V traces up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
What do you get?
The e:HEV LX sits on the high of a four-grade ZR-V lineup in 2026, with a suitably beneficiant tools checklist.
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2026 Honda ZR-V VTi X highlights:
- Adaptive LED headlights
- Lively cornering lights
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Hill descent management
- 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay
- Wired Android Auto
- 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster
- 8-speaker sound system
- Black material upholstery
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel and kit 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
- House-saver spare wheel
- 60/40-split, folding rear seats
ZR-V VTi L provides:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Heated exterior mirrors
- Arms-free energy tailgate with walk-away closing
- Rear privateness glass
- Mixture LED tail-lights
- Black leatherette upholstery
- Heated entrance seats
- Metallic paddle shifters
- LED ambient lighting (roof)
ZR-V VTi LX provides:
- 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels
- Physique-coloured decrease bumpers and wheel arches
- Selectable drive modes (Sport, Regular, Financial system)
- 12-speaker Bose sound system
- Wi-fi cellphone charger
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- Black leather-based upholstery
- Eight-way energy driver’s seat with reminiscence
- 4-way energy entrance passenger seat
- Heated rear seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Sports activities pedals
- ‘Door Line Illumination’
- Auto-tilting mirrors in reverse
- Plasmacluster air purification system
ZR-V e:HEV LX provides:
- Good key card
- Shift-by-wire gear selector
- Tyre restore package (in lieu of a space-saver spare)
- Humidity sensor
To see how the Honda ZR-V traces up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
Is the Honda ZR-V secure?
The Honda ZR-V obtained a four-star ANCAP (Australasian New Automobile Evaluation Program) security score in 2023, which is legitimate till 2029.
The ZR-V misplaced factors by not having rear cross-traffic alert obtainable in any mannequin grade, stopping a five-star score.
| Class | Honda ZR-V |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 79 per cent |
| Little one occupant safety | 88 per cent |
| Susceptible highway person safety | 81 per cent |
| Security help | 68 per cent |
Customary security tools consists of:
- AEB incl. pedestrian and bike owner detection
- Adaptive cruise management with low-speed observe
- Driver consideration monitoring
- Visitors Jam Help
- Lane maintain help
- Visitors signal recognition
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- Tyre strain monitoring
- 11 airbags
- Centre airbag
- Entrance and rear facet airbags
- Full-length curtain airbags
All ZR-Vs have facet and curtain airbags for each rows, plus twin entrance airbags, a front-centre airbag, and a driver’s knee airbag.
To see how the Honda ZR-V traces up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
How a lot does the Honda ZR-V value to run?
Honda gives a five-year, unlimited-kilometre car and battery guarantee, and 5 years of roadside help.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Honda ZR-V e:HEV LX |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, limitless kilometres – car and high-voltage battery |
| Roadside help | 5 years, limitless kilometres |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 10,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years |
| Common annual service value | $378.80 |
| Whole capped-price service value | $1894 |
To see how the Honda ZR-V traces up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
CarExpert’s tackle the Honda ZR-V e:HEV LX
The Honda ZR-V e:HEV LX is a superb total package deal, combining high quality match and end and a robust checklist of normal tools with a super-efficient, well-mannered hybrid powertrain and class-leading driving dynamics.
There are only some foibles, together with the outside design which attracts blended reactions, a barely small boot, a comparatively compact touchscreen, and a four-star ANCAP security score, which can restrict its enchantment for some.
However get into the motive force’s seat and it handles so nicely it’s like utilizing a surgeon’s scalpel to eat a steak, whereas lots of its rivals proffer blunt plastic cutlery.
There are cheaper choices, in fact, however additionally they really feel cheaper. There’s clear worth in stepping as much as the ZR-V e:HEV – particularly if you need a sophisticated driving expertise in an SUV that’s environment friendly, nicely thought-about and brilliantly executed.
CarExpert can prevent 1000’s on a brand new Honda ZR-V. Click on right here to get an ideal deal.
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