Honda ZR-V review finds impressive performer but it falls short with tech-savvy gear

Honda’s new ZR-V has been built to capture the attention of gen Z.

Could this be the wagon to which Honda can hitch its sales ambitions?

The new ZR-V SUV sits one size below the CR-V – which will be updated by year’s end – and its arrival couldn’t be more timely for the Japanese manufacturer.

Still recovering from the pandemic, supply has been restrained.

Honda also shifted to an ‘agency model’, which means buyers pay the identical price no matter where they are in Australia. Mercedes-Benz has travelled down the same path.

Having recently updated its Civic hatch range, it’s really the SUVs that Honda has been waiting for given they account for nearly 60 per cent of the Australian market sales.

The ZR-V comes in a three-pronged attack, with the base model starting from about $40k drive-away. At the other end of the spectrum is a hybrid derivative that is $54,387 – although prospective buyers face a six-month wait.

Our family took the middle ground and sampled the VTi L which is $43,200 drive-away and can be available within two months.

The Honda ZR-V VTi L is similar in size to a Mazda CX-5.

WHAT WERE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS?

KEL: Finished in a lovely blue, the ZR-V looked like a fashionable SUV.

GRANT: Aimed to be the goldilocks size, slightly larger than the HR-V and smaller than the CR-V that will grow in length with the impending iteration, it’s similar to a Mazda CX-5 or Toyota RAV4.

KEL: Well proportioned with a cool grille, it doesn’t set design benchmarks but I’d still rate it as one of the better looking SUVs.

GRANT: Following the standard set by the new Civic, the ZR-V doesn’t come cheap. Our mid-level VTi L had heated front seats, man-made leather trim, power tailgate, eight-speaker sound system, nine-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 10.2-inch configurable driver display.

KEL: Spacious inside I could see the family appeal. The fit and finish was similar to what we’d seen previously in the Civic, especially the honeycomb air vent feature which runs across the dash.

GRANT: Honda would love that appraisal. Buyers tend to be in the older age bracket and the brand is desperate to break into the younger market.

The Honda ZR-V VTi L key features include an eight-speaker sound system, nine-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 10.2-inch configurable driver display.

WHAT DID YOU LOVE?

KEL: With a great driving position, ergonomically it felt on-point.

GRANT: Fast access to the dual-zone aircon is excellent. It’s better than some manufacturers have adopted where you have to go through the main screen (Volkswagen we’re looking at you). Honda’s infotainment system looks antiquated, yet it’s easy to operate.

KEL: Mostly I used Apple CarPlay which connected easily and it was great to have the combination of USB-C and A slots for charging devices.

GRANT: Power tailgates are always good, but I particularly liked the walkaway function which enables you to press the button, collect a handful of gear and then it closes as well as locks automatically when you move away from the car.

The Honda ZR-V VTi L sits mid-range with a national drive-away price of $43,200.

WHAT DID YOU LOATHE?

KEL: Some of my favourite features were missing, including the bird’s eye camera view which makes parking easier.

GRANT: You have to spend an extra $5300 and get into the VTi LX model for that feature, where you also gain blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. All those inclusions should be standard fare for this kind of money.

KEL: Heated seats are always a must in my book, but I don’t like how it decides when to reduce the power. I want to make that decision.

GRANT: Despite handling our complete weekly family grocery shop, boot space was also small at 380 litres. The Mazda CX-5 is more than 430 litres, while a RAV4 and Kia Sportage surpasses 540L.

KEL: For some reason I felt like trips to the service station were required frequently.

GRANT: Our official average was 7.6L/100km, slightly higher than the official figure from Honda. Despite being a turbo engine, it does run on regular 91 unleaded.

Kel and Grant Edwards.

HOW WAS THE DRIVE?

KEL: Zesty and bursting with composure, the ZR-V was easy to steer and well mannered.

GRANT: Providing the motivation was a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It doesn’t perform like the neck-snapping turbos of old, rather the small capacity engine delivers linear and consistent acceleration.

KEL: It never felt underpowered and the response from standing still was predictable.

GRANT: Surprisingly nimble when the going got twisty, the SUV boasted impressive dynamics. Changes in direction were handled adeptly aided by confident steering.

KEL: I saw it also had an app available. What’s that all about?

GRANT: Called Honda Connect, it’s free for the first five years of ownership and enables connection to the car through your mobile. Among the functions is the ability to find its location in a crowded carpark, cool down or heat the vehicle before driving, lock or unlock, as well as get alerts if it exceeds a speed threshold or leaves a preset area (handy for parents of young drivers).

WOULD YOU BUY ONE?

KEL: With good looks and confident driving dynamics, I’d happily drive a ZR-V full-time. My preference would be to get the best safety features which I rely on nowadays but that would mean an investment closer to $50,000 which would require some extra convincing.

GRANT: Pitched at the younger generation, Honda’s new SUV does just about everything right. The ZR-V neither excels or disappoints. The brand is renowned for build quality and reliability while cheap servicing costs are a boon … you just need to be willing to pay the initial premium.

Originally published as Honda ZR-V review finds impressive performer but it falls short with tech-savvy gear