Overview
HONDA’S range-topping e:HEV LX is the lover of the ZR-V vary.
With petrol-electric hybrid energy, and a protracted record of normal gear, it is usually a terrific drive, and one which showcases the poise and polish for which Honda automobiles are famend.
Priced from $54,900 plus on-road prices, the Honda ZR-V e:HEV LX is much from low cost, competing with a spread of far inexpensive and barely bigger same-segment opponents together with the GWM Haval H6 Extremely Hybrid (from $45,990 driveaway), Nissan X-Path ST-L e-Energy (from $50,765 + ORC), and Toyota RAV4 XSE Hybrid (from $52,585 + ORC).
Which implies you’re going to have to actually just like the Honda providing to justify the record worth.
Luckily, the ZR-V could be very straightforward to love.
From a stylistic viewpoint, we discover a vertical grille which blends seamlessly with the bumper encompass, and which is flanked by slender, wide-set headlights. Honda says the frontal side of it’s the ZR-V is supposed to convey a “extremely subtle expression, but with stature and a robust presence”.
With a widened stance, the rear of the physique goals so as to add quantity to the ZR-V’s proportions, the rear haunches and tailgate culminating in a clean, upswept look that’s neither as edgy because the (smaller) HR-V, but as stylised as many opponents’ Coupe-SUV choices.
Inside, the hyperlink between different new-generation Honda fashions is clear.
The cabin of the ZR-V is spacious and open with an instrument panel that stretches out horizontally throughout the dashboard, and a well-presented array of practical parts completed with their very own high-quality design.
Just like the bigger CR-V (which competes in the identical market section because the ZR-V), the ZR-V contains a high-deck centre management to separate the entrance seats and create particular person zones for the driving force and front-seat passenger.
The mannequin additionally guarantees an elevated view of the street and a large, horizontal sight view due to drawn again A pillars and door-mounted wing mirrors.
Color selections for the Honda ZR-V embrace Crystal Black, Platinum Gray, Platinum Crystal Blue, Platinum White and Premium Crystal Garnet, in addition to a brand new teal/inexperienced hue dubbed Nordic Frost (pictured).
The function record reads very similar to some other rival within the Medium SUV section with 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, dual-zone local weather management, electrochromatic rear-view mirror, heated entrance seats and steering wheel, leather-wrapped steering wheel rim, leather-appointed upholstery, push-button gear selector, rear seat air flow retailers and USB-C ports, a ten.2-inch digital instrument panel, wi-fi telephone charging pad, and a 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen internet hosting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
The ZR-V additional receives as commonplace, security gear together with a 360-degree digital camera system, adaptive cruise management, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, driver consideration monitor, entrance and rear parking sensors, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping help, rear cross-traffic alert, site visitors signal recognition, 11 airbags, and extra.
Prime-tether (x3) and ISOFIX (x2) youngster seat anchorages are likewise commonplace.
Beneath the bonnet we discover a driveline frequent to different Honda locals, together with the Civic hatch/sedan with which it shares a platform. The variant examined gives a 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid driveline delivering 135kW/315Nm.
Honda quotes a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 8.0 seconds and a mixed cycle gas consumption determine of 5.0 litres per 100km. With its 57-litre gas tank, the ZR-V has a theoretical vary of greater than 1100km.
The ZR-V is suspended by Macpherson struts over an aluminium sub-frame on the entrance and a classy multi-link association on the rear. Braking is through 312mm ventilated discs on the entrance and 310mm stable rotors up again.
Staying up again, we discover 60:40 split-fold rear seating, 370 litres of cargo area (increasing to 1302 litres all informed), and a relatively ineffective tyre inflation package in lieu of a spare wheel (which is obtainable on petrol-powered variants however not on the e:HEV because of packaging necessities).
The Honda HR-V is backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre guarantee with eight years’ protection for the hybrid system’s high-voltage battery. Service intervals are set at 12 months or 10,000km (whichever comes first) with the primary 5 years of servicing totalling simply $995.
Driving Impressions
Settling into the ZR-V and its shortly evident the seating is often Honda. Supportive, cosseting, and really comfy. The motive force’s pew gives loads of adjustment in addition to place reminiscence, although the passenger aspect suffers from being set too excessive, with solely four-way mechanical adjustment on supply.
Up again, there’s extra leg- and headroom than the rakish physique traces of the ZR-V would possibly counsel. The omission of a sunroof means there’s treasured centimetres extra headroom than there could be in any other case, and though toe-room is tight and the rear bench relatively flat, we had no bother getting comfy in it for a brief hop throughout city.
Nevertheless it’s the driving force’s seat that’s centre of focus for us. Relating completely to the steering wheel and pedals (nicely, for an SUV a minimum of), the driving force is likewise afforded a wonderful view of the street forward and is met by logical instrumentation and switchgear that takes no time in any respect to understand.
The drive expertise is simply as shortly understood. That each one vital really feel on the ‘wheel is considered one of prompt engagement, the suggestions by the steering and the response of the hybrid driveline gifting the ZR-V with an agile, nearly playful character that proves every day driving needn’t be a chore.
Whereas the trip is comfy, the physique of the ZR-V follows driver enter with absolute obedience, monitoring cleanly by corners and reacting swiftly to sudden directional modifications. If we had however one criticism right here, it’s that the steering weight could be too heavy for some tastes – although definitely not ours.
Energy supply is immediate with a misleading degree of efficiency available for many events.
We likewise discovered the ZR-V’s torque to be proper at hand when tackling hilly terrain and famous the transition from petrol to electrical mode (and anyplace in between) to be clean and splendidly predictable – one thing we are able to’t say of all of the opponents listed above.
On take a look at, the ZR-V e:HEV adhered very intently to its claimed mixed gas use determine, sipping simply 5.2 litres per 100km in various circumstances.
What’s additionally a welcomed attribute of the ZR-V is that the braking motion is constant and well-metered. Too usually hybridised automobiles can current a change in pedal strain because the car switches from petrol to electrical energy, leading to a momentary ‘vacant’ really feel beneath your foot. We’re happy to say there’s no such dramas right here.
In truth, and excusing the worth and relatively dated infotainment structure, there are only a few dramas to talk of in any respect. The ZR-V is a good-looking, environment friendly, and fantastically constructed SUV that provides simply the correct amount of area for many who suppose the CR-V is now too massive. It additionally gives distinctive upkeep pricing and a driving expertise we all know you’ll take pleasure in as a lot as we did.
