Honda ZR-V: everything you need to know

Honda will introduce three new SUVs in Europe by the end of this year. They include the all-new ZR-V, alongside the new CR-V, which will become significantly larger, and the e:Ny1, a fully electric offering.

The ZR-V was the first of the trio we saw in person and drove, in Barcelona, Spain. Curiously, though, it will be the last to reach the Portuguese market, with its arrival scheduled for November or December, towards the end of the year.

Our first-drive video will be available over the coming days. Until it arrives on our YouTube channel, here is everything you need to know about the Honda ZR-V.

What is it?

Positioned between the HR-V and CR-V, the ZR-V arrives with high ambitions, targeting one of Europe's highest-volume sales segments. It is a C-segment SUV and effectively serves as a companion model to the Civic, with which it shares its platform and hybrid system.

Honda ZR-V hybrid powertrain

The hybrid powertrain is the natural place to begin, as it is one of the key strengths of this entirely new model. Honda has not launched a genuinely new vehicle, rather than a replacement for an existing one, since the Honda e.

As mentioned above, the ZR-V uses the same hybrid set-up as the Civic. It pairs a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine operating on the Atkinson cycle, producing 143 hp and 186 Nm, with two electric motors. One of these provides drive and delivers a maximum 184 hp and 315 Nm of torque.

These figures allow the Honda ZR-V to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 173 km/h. Honda quotes combined fuel consumption of 5.8 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of just 131 g/km.

How does the hybrid system work?

The ZR-V's hybrid system operates in three modes: EV Drive, Hybrid Drive and Engine Drive. In none of these modes do the electric motor and petrol engine provide drive at the same time.

The system always selects the most suitable operating mode for the conditions. In urban driving, it can run almost continuously in fully electric mode, provided there is energy stored in the 1.05 kWh battery and the speed is not too high.

In this situation, the electric motor alone propels the Honda ZR-V, much like in a fully electric vehicle.

When the pace increases and more performance is required, the electric motor needs additional energy. The petrol engine then comes into operation as a generator, capable of both supplying the electric motor and recharging the battery.

Finally, at higher, steadier speeds, such as on a motorway, the system selects Engine Drive mode, assigning all propulsion duties to the petrol engine.

All this is managed by a fixed-ratio transmission, which proved surprisingly smooth and pleasant in operation during our first drive of the new Honda ZR-V on the streets of Barcelona. We will discuss that, as well as fuel consumption, in a few days.

A less aggressive appearance

Unlike the prevailing trend across the industry, Honda has not opted for sharp, more aggressive styling. Instead, it has favoured softer, more rounded forms.

Even so, one look at the front end makes it clear that the ZR-V differs from recent Honda designs: the grille is relatively small, while the headlamps adopt an L-shaped design.

At the rear, the horizontal light units and substantial bumper stand out, while the same rounded shape seen at the front is carried over.

From the side, beyond the wheel-arch cladding, the 18-inch wheels, conventional SUV body shape and generous proportions for the segment are immediately noticeable: 4.56 metres long, 22 cm longer than the HR-V, 1.62 metres high and 1.84 metres wide.

Civic-inspired interior

Inside, apart from the higher centre console and its new storage areas, the cabin is almost identical to that of the Civic. This is immediately apparent in the steering wheel and dashboard, which retain the horizontal layout, physical controls and mesh trim familiar from the Japanese brand's hatchback.

The centrepiece is a 9-inch infotainment display, complemented by a fully digital instrument cluster available in two sizes: 7 inches in the Sport trim level and 10.2 inches in the Advance version.

Moving to the rear seats, there is respectable room for both legs and heads, although the doors do not open particularly wide, making access slightly more difficult. The seats are fixed and their backrest angle cannot be adjusted, but there are two USB ports and rear air vents.

What about the boot?

For me, this is one of the Honda ZR-V's less favourable areas, as it falls short of much of the competition. The boot, which has a power-operated tailgate as standard, provides 380 litres of capacity; the Advance version loses 10 litres because of the Bose sound system's subwoofer.

Although it is wide and deep, the boot is shallow because of the battery's location, which limits its practicality. However, the parcel shelf can be stored beneath the floor and the rear seats can be folded down, increasing capacity to almost 900 litres.

When will it arrive and how much will it cost?

The Honda ZR-V will arrive in Portugal at the end of the year, in November or December, with two trim levels: Sport and Advance.

Prices for the Portuguese market have not yet been confirmed, but Honda representatives in the country indicate an entry price between €45,000 and €50,000.