Honda ZR-V 2023: new hybrid SUV to sit between HR-V and CR-V to launch mid year

The Japanese brand is expanding its SUV lineup in Australia with the addition of the new ZR-V compact SUV armed with both petrol and hybrid variants

Honda has announced it will bring its new ZR-V small SUV to Australian showrooms in the middle of 2023.

Available in a choice of three petrol grades, known as the VTi X, VTi L and VTi LX, along with the flagship hybrid e:HEV LX, the new ZR-V will be positioned between the HR-V and CR-V SUV models in terms of size.

In terms of powertrains, a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine will be available, along with a 2.0-litre hybrid powertrain supported by two electric motors.

The Australian ZR-V will be released during the middle of 2023

The new ZR-V measures in at 4566mm long, 1610mm tall and 1838mm wide, with a wheelbase of 2654mm, making the new model similar in size to key rivals such as the Toyota Corolla Cross and the Kia Seltos, among others.

In overseas markets such as the United States, the ZR-V is sold as a five seater, however, the seating arrangement of the Australian-delivered ZR-V is yet to be determined.

To avoid confusion, in the US market the ZR-V is badged as the Honda HR-V. The Honda HR-V that we receive in Australia is the global market HR-V and is currently on sale locally.

Honda HR-V Vi-X 2022 badge — Honda will release pricing and specification closer to the ZR-V’s local launch

Pricing and further specifications are to be confirmed in the coming months.

What features have been confirmed for the Honda ZR-V?

The new ZR-V will be available with 17-inch alloy wheels for the base VTi X grade, however all other variants will gain larger 18-inch alloy wheels as standard.

The ZR-V will sit between the HR-V and CR-V SUVs here in Australia

A 9.0-inch infotainment display with wired Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay will be included, also.

LED headlights with adaptive driving beam, front and rear parking sensors, Honda’s Sensing safety suite and five years of complimentary Honda connect telematic services.

How fuel efficient will the ZR-V hybrid be?

Honda Civic eHEV 2023 rear 3/4 driving 2 — The new Honda ZR-V will be available with the same hybrid system as the Civic e:HEV

Honda Australia has yet to release the official ADR-tested fuel figures for our market, but we can expect to be similar, if not slightly less efficient than the HR-V e-HEV L currently on sale.

The small SUV currently has a combined fuel consumption figure of 4.3L/100km when using Honda’s smaller 1.5-litre hybrid engine setup.

The beefier 2.0-litre hybrid setup, used in the ZR-V, is currently available in the Civic e-HEV LX, which claims a combined consumption of 4.2L/100km.