Honda has outlined the four-variant ZR-V line-up it hopes will topple Toyota’s RAV4.
Built on Honda’s new global vehicle architecture, the medium-sized SUV will be available in VTi X, VTi L, VTi LX and e:HEV LX grades and cost between $40,200 to $54,900 driveaway.
Sitting between the four-seat HR-V small SUV and five/seven-seat CR-V midsize SUV, the five-seat ZR-V is closer in terms of size to the latter rather than the former.
The first all-new Honda nameplate released in Australia in 20 years, the ZR-V will enter the fiercely competitive midsize SUV segment, taking on the likes of RAV4, Kia Sportage and Mazda CX-5.
ZR-V offered with both hybrid and turbo-petrol options
Honda will offer two powertrain options, a 1.5-litre turbo inline-four with a CVT; and the 2.0-litre hybrid inline-four which uses the engine as a generator for a small battery, with the vehicle being propelled by two electric motors.
All ZR-V models are front-wheel-drive only; there are no manual variants.
Reversing AEB comes standard but some other safety features are reserved for higher grades
Notably, you have to pay extra for certain safety features. While the base model and up get Honda Sensing – lane-keep assist, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control – blind-spot monitoring doesn’t arrive until $8300 later on the VTi LX, nor does reverse cross-traffic alert.
On the plus side, the standard-across-the-range AEB works both forward and reverse, and can detect cyclists and pedestrians. There’s also a standard, fatigue-fighting driver attention monitor.
All models come with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty; complimentary five-year roadside assistance and 12-month/10,000km servicing intervals – priced at $199/year for the first five services.
Honda is offering the ZR-V in four grades in Australia
What does each ZR-V grade include?
VTi X
Drivetrain: 1.5-litre turbocharged inline-four, 131kW/240Nm, automatic (CVT)
The base model at $40,200, the VTi X gives you 11 airbags and Honda’s full Sensing safety suite (aforementioned). Honda claims combined ADR fuel economy of 7.0L/100km while inside, there’s a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay (wired Android Auto) and a 10.2-inch digital instrument display doing away with analogue dials. While the seats are cloth, you get a leather steering wheel and gear lever.
A 9.0-inch screen is offered across the lineup
There’s dual-zone climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels, a basic eight-speaker sound system, while you score adaptative LED headlights standard with automatic high beam.
Curiously, the VTi X has the tightest turning circle of any ZR-V variant at 5.2 metres (versus 5.5 for all other specifications) while the marginally biggest boot (380 litres versus 370 of the others).
VTi L
Drivetrain: 1.5-litre turbocharged inline-four, 131kW/240Nm, automatic (CVT)
For an additional $3000, the VTi L brings heated front seats in a nicer “leatherette” synthetic material, 18-inch wheels, heated door mirrors and an electric powered rear tailgate.
Larger 18-inch wheels are offered on the VTi L grade and above
There’s also tinted rear windows, fancier LED tail-lights and metal steering wheel paddle shifters (which feel a bit nicer than the plastic items of the VTi X).
Fuel economy increases slightly to 7.2L/100km. The extra gear ups weight from 1470kg to 1488kg, while the VTi L also ‘unlocks’ two additional colours – Premium Crystal Blue and Crystal Black. Neither are available on the VTi X.
VTi LX
Drivetrain: 1.5-litre turbocharged inline-four, 131kW/240Nm, automatic (CVT)
For another $5300 the VTi LX takes things up another notch inside, with genuine leather-appointed seats (not full leather), electrically adjustable front seats with memory settings, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, a better 12-speaker Bose sound system, wireless phone charger, inbuilt satellite navigation, a 360-degree parking camera, nicer-looking metal sports pedals and other minor cosmetic tweaks such as exterior body-coloured lower bumpers and wheel arches.
Heated rear seats are added for this grade
The VTi LX also adds a drive mode selector dial with Sport, Normal and Econ modes. Fuel economy meanwhile remains at 7.2L/100km while weight increases an additional 22kg to 1510kg.
e-HEV LX
Drivetrain: 2.0-litre inline-four hybrid, two electric motors, 135kW/315Nm
For a hefty $14,700 over the base model – and a $6400 jump over the VTi LX, itself $5300 above the VTi L – the hybrid brings its advanced electrified powertrain with claimed ADR fuel economy of just 5.0L/100km.
The top-spec grade comes with a hybrid drivetrain
It will presumably drive very differently, owing to its smooth, quiet, responsive electric motors. In addition to the hybrid powertrain, there’s shift-by-wire (which makes the centre console and stack a lot tidier), a keycard instead a fob and special exterior badging.
While it’s not a plug-in hybrid, the e-HEV does have an EV mode for silent low-speed electric motoring. One drawback to having a hybrid is there’s a puncture repair kit (instead of a space-saver spare tyre like all the other variants).
The e-HEV LX weighs 1586kg, 76kg more than the VTi LX and 116kg more than the VTI X.
Honda ZR-V 2023: prices in Australia
All prices listed are driveaway.
- VTi X: $40,200
- VTi L: $43,200
- VTi LX: $48,500
- e-HEV LX: $54,900
