Honda brings all the attributes of the popular Civic to the compact SUV segment with the new ZR-V. Available only with hybrid mechanics, the Honda ZR-V is called to be a winner in the range of the Japanese manufacturer.
Honda expands its SUV offer with the arrival of the new Honda ZR-V which falls within the competitive segment of compact SUVs. This model, which I have already been able to meet and drive during its European presentation, will have a leading role in the sales of the Japanese manufacturer's range, so we must not lose sight of it.
At 4,568mm in length, 1,620mm in height, and 1,840mm in width, the ZR-V perfectly fills the gap between the HR-V and the refreshed CR-V. Its size makes it a versatile vehicle for daily use. It also proposes a differential image with respect to the rest of the models of the Japanese manufacturer with its own design language.
This personality is highlighted by a large front grill that attracts the eye. It is accompanied by stylized LED headlights, a well-defined belt line, a silhouette that shows a roof that gently slopes towards the tailgate, and rear lights integrated into the tailgate.
The smooth surfaces and rounded corners are very present and the lower edges of the body are in gloss black to underline its crossover character. The C-SUV sits on the same modular platform used by the Civic and CR-V with slight adaptations specific to this model.
In short, the ZR-V has a very dynamic design. Depending on the chosen finish, there are some differences in style in terms of the design of the grill, the front bumper or the alloy wheels. Specifically, there are two finishes, Sport and Advance, both with extensive standard equipment but without extras that help personalize each unit.
Two finishes with
closed equipment
Inside, the dashboard offers a similar design to what we've been seeing in recent Honda releases. Very horizontal, has very clean lines, and has a good quality of realization in general. The ergonomics are well studied, there are areas padded in synthetic leather where it is needed and there is nothing in the blissful glossy black plastic that most brands insist on putting, so it is well resolved in general.
The Japanese SUV exhibits a digital instrument panel with a screen of up to 10.2 inches. The image quality is good but the display options are rather scarce and the truth is that much more could have been made of it, it does not contribute much compared to traditional instrumentation.
The Honda Connect multimedia system is similar to that found in other models of the brand. It has connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and is operated via a highly functional 9-inch touchscreen with large icons, a bottom row of customizable shortcuts, and physical buttons closest to the driver.
The equipment is abundant. Depending on the trim chosen, the new ZR-V can enjoy a head-up display, dual-zone climate control, a wireless charging dock, a panoramic sunroof, heated seats and steering wheels, a power tailgate, adaptive cruise control, and a Bose sound system with 12 speakers. The seats have electrical adjustments although the passenger seat cannot be adjusted in height.
Behind, the rear seats offer good habitability for two passengers of medium height. For three occupants it is somewhat tight, as is the case in almost all models in this segment. This second row has air vents, a pair of USB sockets, and a central armrest, in addition, in the Advance finish, the extreme seats are heated.
The trunk has a capacity of 380 liters, it is not very large for a vehicle that can be used by the family. The Advance finish loses 10 liters due to the presence of the Bose system subwoofer. By folding down the back of the rear seats, up to 1,312 liters of volume are achieved.
Only in the hybrid
version
The ZR-V is only marketed with non-plug-in hybrid mechanics. Under the hood of the new Japanese crossover is the same e: HEV system found in the Civic. It combines a 2.0-liter gasoline engine that works on the Atkinson cycle, two electric motors (one a generator and the other an impeller), and a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 1 kWh.
The set develops 184 hp and automatically switches between EV, Hybrid, and Engine operating modes. In EV mode only the electric motor works, in Hybrid mode the electric motor drives the wheels, and the gasoline engine recharges the battery and in Engine mode, both the electric motor and the combustion motor drive the wheels together. This Engine mode is activated by a large request for power or when approximately 80 km/h is exceeded.
The CVT-type transmission is fine turns out. As usual in this type of change, the engine revs a lot in demanding moments but the soundproofing is good and therefore it is not annoying. In addition, it simulates gear changes to represent engine acceleration so that there is a correlation between perception and what actually happens. It's done.
Behind the steering wheel, there are some cams that are metallic, a good quality detail, and they are not used to change gears. The cams change the regeneration rate to be more efficient on decelerations. It is something that is usually seen in 100% electric cars or plug-in hybrids but not in non-plug-in hybrids, but it seems to me a success that Honda has included them because they are very pleasant to use and are useful.
The driving position is similar to the Civic and less upright than the CR-V while the seat height falls somewhere in between. This is how you gain outside visibility, also helped by the low and flat hood, the generous glass surface and some exterior mirrors mounted far from the A-pillars.
In the Civic, this mechanical hybrid has a cheerful demeanor. However, in the ZR-V it is appreciated more touring, perhaps due to a matter of weight or aerodynamics. Be careful, the benefits are still very good and it is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds, but it feels less agile and invites you to take the route calmly.
The good thing about driving at a calm pace is that it is possible to achieve low fuel consumption. In the WLTP homologation cycle, consumption stands at 5.8 l/100 km and it is easy to achieve it and even improve it, a good figure for a hybrid SUV of this size and power. On the console, there is a selector for the Eco, Normal, Sport, and Snow driving modes that adjust some parameters to the needs and driving style.
The ZR-V has not yet undergone the Euro NCAP tests but it is foreseeable that it will get the highest rating like the Honda Civic. As standard it comes with Honda Sensing safety and driving assistance technologies that include 11 airbags -including a central front one-, impact prevention and mitigation system, lane departure warning, lane maintenance system, traffic jam assistant, or system traffic sign recognition.
In short, the new Honda ZR-V has all the signs to become the star car in the range of the Japanese manufacturer. It has all the good things about the Civic but in an SUV format, a type of bodywork with greater interest for the public, which seems to be a guarantee of success. The brand has not yet announced the official prices for Spain and the first units will arrive in the fall.
EXPERT VIEWS
we liked it more
- Nice driving.
- Abundant standard equipment.
- Interior with good quality feeling.
we liked it less
- Trunk capacity.
- Closed equipment, with no possibilities of customization beyond the exterior color.
- Just a mechanical option.
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