2023 Honda ZR-V Hybrid new car review

This car’s big brother was named the 2023 News Corp Car of the Year. Check out what we thought of this small and efficient hybrid SUV.

2023 Honda ZR-V.

Ever ordered a schmiddy of lager? The silly-sounding measure sits between a schooner and middy. It’s satisfying but not too large.

You won’t find it everywhere, but it is in Honda showrooms in the form of the Honda ZR-V.

VALUE

Larger than the compact Honda HR-V but smaller than the mid-sized Honda CR-V crossover, this ZR-V is an interesting proposition.

The Zr-V is the goldilocks of SUVs: not too big but not too small.

Priced from $40,200 drive-away in entry-level petrol trim, the ZR-V is also available as a petrol-electric hybrid for $54,900 drive-away.

That’s about $5000 less than the larger CR-V hybrid.

As the top model in the range, the ZR-V is loaded with gear including a digital dash and 9-inch infotainment screen that combines smartphone mirroring with a 12-speaker Bose stereo. Other handy inclusions range from LED headlights and wireless phone charging to a 360-degree camera and powered tailgate.

Honda’s five-year warranty is par for the course, but its service prices are class leading. Budget $199 per year, less than half what some rivals charge.

COMFORT

That powered tailgate has a clever “walkaway” function that will shut the boot after you step away from the car, removing the need to fiddle with buttons or keys while juggling armfuls of groceries.

The cabin quality is excellent.

Pleasant touches inside the cabin include heated leather seats in the front and rear.

Back seat occupants also have air vents, and more leg room than you might find in most rivals.

It’s an impressive cabin, but a step below the larger Honda CR-V in both space and refinement.

SAFETY

The Honda ZR-V represents a safe choice, thanks to a strong cabin structure packed with 11 airbags, including a new centre airbag placed between the driver and passenger.

Front and rear auto braking is standard, as is a traffic jam feature that combines active cruise control with lane-keeping assistance to steer, brake and accelerate in traffic snarls.

The Honda has plenty of safety features.

DRIVING

The standard ZR-V has a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine with 131kW and 240Nm of grunt.

Hybrid models have a larger 2.0-litre petrol engine and swap the turbocharger for an electric motor to produce more power – 135kW and 315Nm – while using less fuel. Official figures claim the hybrid needs 5L/100km, while the turbo petrol is much thirstier at 7L/100km

Both models drive the front wheels through CVT automatic transmissions.

The ZR-V Hybrid is geared for efficiency.

The hybrid is a little less sporty than the standard ZR-V, largely due to eco-minded low rolling resistance tyres that are geared toward efficiency rather than roadholding.

It’s also heavier, with a noisier engine that can sound stressed.

Sweet steering and a well-judged ride work in its favour, though the ZR-V is less satisfying to drive than the sporty Civic Hybrid hatchback, or more refined CR-V.

VERDICT 3.5/5

Better than the little HR-V but less impressive than Honda’s Civic and CR-V hybrids, the ZR-V is a middle-of-the-road machine.

ALTERNATIVES

Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos AWD, about $55,000 drive-away

Wagon-bodied practicality meets Toyota’s hybrid expertise in a compelling all-wheel-drive package.

Hyundai Kona Hybrid N-Line, about $52,000 drive-away

A touch smaller but loaded with gear and surprisingly spacious on the inside, the Kona is worth a look.

Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid S

Strong safety credentials join all-wheel-drive traction and a less convincing hybrid motor, for a comparatively attractive price.

HONDA ZR-V HYBRID

PRICE From $54,900 drive-away

ENGINE 2.0-litre 4-cyl hybrid, 135kW and 315Nm

WARRANTY/SERVICE 5-yr u’ltd km, $995 for 5 years

SAFETY 11 airbags, auto emergency braking, active cruise control, lane-keeping assistance

THIRST 5L/100km

BOOT 370 litres

SPARE Repair kit

Originally published as 2023 Honda ZR-V Hybrid new car review