MOTORING REVIEW: Honda’s ZR-V is family friendly hybrid SUV

When Honda introduced its mid-sized ZR-V to Ireland for the 2023 model year, it filled the gap in the carmaker’s SUV line-up between the compact HR-V and larger CR-V. To me, it’s more of a crossover vehicle than a full-blown SUV. Honda claims it is their sportiest-ever hybrid SUV combining style with satisfying driving performance.  

Key updates for the 2025 model year feature an updated infotainment system with a new Honda Connect system with a faster processor and improved user interface, and over-the-air updates. 

The model competes in the C-segment and shares a platform with the Civic. In size, it is slightly longer than its HR-V sibling measuring 4568mm in length and with a wheelbase of 2657mm.

This sporty family SUV has a softer front look than many of its more aggressively styled SUV competitors. My car looked really well in a pale Diamond Dusk exterior with big black wheel arches and dark privacy glass. Features included LED lights front and rear, integrated headlights and large front honeycomb grille, an aerodynamic rear spoiler and twin exhausts. The rear LED light clusters run horizontally almost edge to edge emphasising the vehicle’s width. Each ZR-V model has its own design of 18-inch alloy wheels. 

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The well built interior feels premium, is nicely styled, with some quality materials and lots of space for five adults. 

The cabin is designed to provide high visibility with an elevated driving position and a really wide view as you look out over the bonnet. Big side mirrors have good blind spot monitors. A power on/off button is the driver’s side of the dash.

I felt very much at home with the more traditional type of dash layout rather than the systems popular nowadays with some carmakers which means having to scroll through numerous screens to get the function you require. Big plusses were the nicely-sized free-standing 9-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, the two dial instrument cluster with my current speed shown top centre, and having three big knobs for the dual zone climate control and for volume. 

The selector for the automatic transmission with its four long buttons on the flat of the central console, took a bit of getting used to. Each has a different size and the reverse one is at a different angle to the others. But I did get used to it over my days with the car. The drive mode selector is here also. Drive modes are Sport, Normal, Econ and Snow - although the car is not all-wheel-drive, the Snow mode provides better grip in snow or icy conditions. 

There’s a wireless phone charger on the central console along with a 12V power outlet and two USBs. 

Front seats were nice and comfy, had power adjustments and could be heated.

The rear is plenty spacious for two adults, three at a squeeze as the middle seat is somewhat narrower than the outer two. Leg room for the person seated here is hampered by the rear of the central console but the floor is almost flat. The middle seat back folds down as an arm rest with two cupholders with just two in the back. There are two USB ports. 

The tailgate opens wide for ease of lifting bulky objects in or out of the boot, also made easier with the high boot floor. Boot space of 380 litres can expand to 1,322 litres with the back seats folded. You can set the height of the tailgate to the height you require, ideal for those who have a garage at their house with limited height available.  

Trims are Elegance, Sport, and Advance. All have Honda Sensing, Honda Connect with Navigation, front and rear parking sensors, and rear view camera. My car was in the mid Sport trim which added wireless phone charging, sports pedals, power height adjustment to the driver’s seat, and black side mirrors. Advance further adds all-leather upholstery, heated rear seats/steering wheel, Premium audio x 12 Bose speakers, and a panoramic glass roof. 

All ZR-V trims are powered by the e:HEV hybrid powertrain that uses a combination of two electric motors and a 2.0, 181bhp petrol engine to create electric power that drives the car while a regenerative braking system returns waste energy to top up the electric battery. It means the car is self-charging. 

From 0-100km/h is around 7.5 seconds, plenty enough for an everyday family car. Max torque is 315Nm. This is a very agile car with a small turning circle of 11.3m so is quite easy to park in tight spots. The official fuel consumption is rated at 5.7 L/100kms (I got an average of 6.8 L/100kms).

The CVT automatic transmission offers smooth driving, the car is quiet and feels solid on the road; the low centre of gravity adding to how well it handles and to ride comfort. 

The big suite of advanced safety features includes Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control, Cross Traffic Monitor, among others. 

Prices are from €49,995-€59,995; annual road tax €270-€280. Metallic/Pearlescent paint is an extra €695.