2025 Honda ZR-V e:HEV LX evaluate

If you consider the trendy mid-size SUV, you in all probability consider rising households and mature drivers who respect grown up issues like an elevated seating place and floor clearance.

However Honda sought to alter that with the introduction of the ZR-V again in 2023. Quite than concentrating on the identical outdated crowd, Honda blended parts of the HR-V, CR-V and Civic into a brand new nameplate aimed squarely at Technology Z.

With funky styling and a beginning value south of $40,000, the ZR-V remains to be pitched as a automotive for large youngsters… besides perhaps this one.

Whereas the bottom ZR-V VTi X+ obtained a welcome $2000 value drop for 2025, the flagship e:HEV LX stays a $54,900 proposition, and that’s earlier than on-road prices.

Now, as a member of Gen Z myself, I’d hardly name {that a} pleasant price ticket for automotive consumers of their 20s.

And it’s a value level that additionally exposes the hybrid ZR-V to competitors from all angles.

On one aspect there are section staples just like the Toyota RAV4 and Nissan Qashqai. On the opposite, a brand new wave of SUVs from China, each petrol and electrical.

So the place does that depart this top-spec ZR-V, now that it’s not so low-cost and never so contemporary? Let’s discover out.

How does the Honda ZR-V evaluate?

View an in depth breakdown of the Honda ZR-V in opposition to equally sized autos.

Honda

ZR-V

How a lot does the Honda ZR-V price?

The Honda ZR-V vary now opens at $37,900 drive-away for 2025, because of a $2000 value minimize. Nonetheless, pricing for the opposite three variants stays unchanged from final yr.

The flagship e:HEV LX is priced to compete with the Toyota RAV4 XSE and mid-spec variations of the Mazda CX-5 and Nissan Qashqai.

To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability software

What’s the Honda ZR-V like on the within?

If it’s a premium expertise you’re chasing, this top-spec ZR-V has you lined.

The inside of the e:HEV LX is plush for the worth level, brimming with soft-touch supplies and high-end options.

Exhibit A: the entrance seats. Trimmed in real black leather-based, the motive force’s seat is tremendous comfortable with bucketloads of cushioning and rib-hugging aspect bolsters.

There’s loads of electrical adjustment for drivers of various styles and sizes, plus three-stage heating to fight these chilly winter mornings. Whereas seat air flow is lacking from the gear checklist, the entrance chairs are perforated that can assist you keep away from a sweaty again in the summertime warmth.

The mushy, thick steering wheel can also be heated within the e:HEV LX. Gentle, padded leather-based covers the centre console, central tunnel and sections of the door playing cards – no excuses for sore elbows on the finish of a drive, then.

Certain, the roots of a far cheaper SUV can nonetheless be discovered in case you go trying to find them, however who actually cares what the door sills are made out of anyway?

Whereas the top-spec ZR-V is undeniably comfy and well-appointed, it’s not the one automobile within the medium SUV section to boast these traits. The brand new Nissan Qashqai presents simply as properly if not higher in Ti-L guise, with Alcantara trim and massaging entrance seats.

Honda has additionally accomplished properly to tell apart the ZR-V from its CR-V and HR-V siblings within the inside design division, introducing distinctive parts like a tiered central tunnel and curved panels. And regardless of the developments of immediately, there’s no gloss black to be seen right here – hallelujah!

As a package deal, the ZR-V is much extra attention-grabbing that the aforementioned CR-V and HR-V. In high trim, it’s a step up in materials high quality too, though a little bit of wobble in some inside panels belies that.

Creativity can come at the price of performance, however that’s not the case right here. The ZR-V retains an easy structure with user-friendly controls, together with bodily local weather controls with old-school buttons and rotary dials.

That familiarity extends to the inside know-how suite, which consists of a small 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display, and a ten.2-inch digital instrument cluster.

There’s nothing notably distinctive or standout about both, to be frank. Particularly, the infotainment system appears to be like a bit old-hat and lacks the processing energy provided by rivals.

Nonetheless, it’s simple to navigate and comes with necessities like wi-fi smartphone mirroring and native satellite tv for pc navigate.

Along with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wired USB-A and USB-C connections are situated beneath the central tunnel. A wi-fi cellphone charger might be discovered behind the cupholders.

The ZR-V additionally options first-generation Honda Join, the model’s model of linked companies. Inside the Honda Join app you’ll be able to flip the lights on and off, remotely lock the doorways, geo-locate your automotive, and verify your gasoline stage, amongst different features.

Just like the infotainment system, the digital instrument cluster is rudimentary and unimaginative, however useful. A pair of conventional gauges dominate the usual setup, every with customisable inset readouts encompassing in-car audio, gasoline effectivity, journey data and ADAS.

All data is displayed clearly, however there’s an absence of artistic aptitude. Creativity isn’t so related in relation to cabin storage, and the ZR-V homes a wholesome quantity of nooks and crannies.

The door bins are on the smaller aspect however completely formed for a drink bottle, whereas the centre console is good and deep. With that stated, the glovebox is undersized and the tray between the entrance seats is deceptively slender.

Shifting again to the second row, the ZR-V isn’t as roomy as a few of its key rivals. The Toyota RAV4 and Nissan Qashqai will seat 5 full-size adults in relative consolation, however this hybrid Honda is a bit more restrictive.

Leg- and headroom are affordable if not excellent, and the seating association is best suited to passengers with brief legs and an extended torso. The rear seats themselves are supportive, heated, and barely reclined for consolation over longer journeys.

The comfy second row within the ZR-V is enhanced by a swathe of helpful facilities together with two USB-C shops, air vents, map pockets and a centre armrest with built-in cupholders.

In dangerous information for potential consumers looking for area, the sloping roofline of the ZR-V additionally compromises boot area. Honda claims 370 litres of cargo capability for the ZR-V, a determine that’s bested by most opponents together with the Qashqai (504L), RAV4 (542-580L), Sportage (586L), and even the smaller Hyundai Kona (407L).

Nonetheless, there’s extra practicality right here than you may suppose. The powered tailgate opens excessive, revealing a big sq. boot aperture freed from an annoying load lip.

There are hooks to your grocery purchasing and a 12-volt energy socket, in addition to area beneath the boot ground to stow the cargo blind. And, in true Honda style, the rear bench folds fully flat.

Regional house owners will fret on the absence of a spare tyre, although, which drops off the gear checklist for this mannequin flagship.

To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability software

What’s beneath the bonnet?

The e:HEV LX includes a 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid with two electrical motors and an e-CVT. Complete system outputs are 135kW and 315Nm.

To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability software

How does the Honda ZR-V drive?

Higher than the overwhelming majority of mid-size SUVs, that’s for certain.

The ZR-V has been developed as a utilitarian city crossover with metropolis commuters entrance of thoughts, and it nails that transient for probably the most half.

Honda’s parallel hybrid system strikes a superb stability between effectivity, efficiency, and drivability, providing all in equal measure.

When pushed in the actual world many autos fail to come back near the gasoline financial system determine quoted within the brochure, however throughout our take a look at the ZR-V hybrid got here inside six per cent of its spectacular 5.0L/100km official declare.

And it achieves that stage of effectivity with out fuss. The ZR-V cruises round city in EV mode, saving gasoline whereas providing a stage of quiet refinement that hybrid-less rivals can’t match.

Acceleration from a standstill is clean and swift, with no delay on throttle, and the petrol engine by no means makes a racket even when labored arduous.

It pairs properly with the e-CVT transmission, which works successfully when left to its personal gadgets, however invitations handbook intervention through metallic shift paddles that make a satisfying click on.

Certainly, the paddles work in tandem with a luxurious leather-based steering wheel and aluminium pedals to reinforce the standard of the driving expertise.

There’s extra to the ZR-V than a intelligent powertrain and satisfying driver inputs – it’s a well-rounded and user-friendly package deal.

You sit sufficiently excessive with an expansive view of the highway forward, whereas skinny A-pillars and a beneficiant glasshouse maximise visibility left and proper. Visibility can also be aided by large, sq. aspect mirrors and a big rear window.

Measurement-wise, the ZR-V feels safe but agile, which is ideal for the minimize and thrust of metropolis driving. You may throw it into tight corners with confidence, and multi-story parking heaps are simply negotiated with the assistance of a large view, excessive decision 360-degree digicam.

Up to now, so good. However this ZR-V isn’t excellent.

It’s unapologetically agency at decrease speeds, bouncing over crests and ruts within the highway. Even on the smoothest suburban streets, this top-spec e:HEV LX isn’t probably the most composed crossover going round.

That’s till you get it out on the freeway, the place the experience settles down and extra strengths of the ZR-V make themselves identified.

For one, the semi-autonomous driving system is among the many greatest going round. Set the parameters through intuitive steering wheel controls, then the automotive will fortunately handle velocity and steering inputs in your behalf.

Adaptive cruise management supplies a visible illustration of visitors move on the instrument cluster – like having an additional set of eyes on the highway.

Different superior driver help methods (ADAS) embrace blind-spot monitoring and ahead collision warning, each of that are a bit too delicate for my liking.

I had no points with the motive force consideration monitoring system although, and the ZR-V allows you to regulate ADAS settings by the infotainment display.

On the subject of customisation, drive modes vary from financial system by to sport, the latter bettering throttle response. I spent many of the week in financial system, which fits the character of the ZR-V to a tee.

When cruising at triple-figure speeds, effectivity and punchy efficiency stay logos of this left-field crossover.

However there’s some room for enchancment with regard to NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness). Tyre roar is a matter at greater speeds, and noise from the surface world too simply finds its means into the cabin.

That’s much less of a problem on quiet nation roads, the place there’s much less noise air pollution and you’ll benefit from the sporty dealing with dynamics of the ZR-V.

No matter variant, the ZR-V relishes twisty tarmac excess of lots of its friends. Steering wheel inputs are met with swift responses, and there’s little of the physique roll that afflicts much less succesful SUVs.

The one factor lacking from the package deal is all-wheel drive, however I hardly missed it throughout our testing interval.

To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability software

What do you get?

There are 4 variants within the ZR-V vary, and the e:HEV LX tops the lot.

To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability software

Is the Honda ZR-V secure?

All Honda ZR-V variants have a four-star ANCAP security ranking based mostly on testing performed on hybrid fashions by sister organisation Euro NCAP in 2023.

Customary security gear contains:

• 11 airbags
  • Twin entrance and entrance knee airbags
  • Centre airbag
  • Entrance and rear aspect airbags
  • Full-length curtain airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Bicycle owner detection
• Adaptive cruise management with low-speed comply with
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Driver consideration monitoring
• Lane-keep help
• Site visitors Jam Help
• Site visitors signal recognition
• Entrance and rear parking sensors
• Tyre strain monitoring

ZR-V VTi LX and above obtain a surround-view digicam.

To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability software

How a lot does the Honda ZR-V price to run?

Honda backs its ZR-V vary with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, and servicing is required each 12 months or 10,000km – whichever comes first.

The Japanese model additionally affords a ‘Honda Lengthen’ program, by which house owners can lengthen their automobile’s guarantee by as much as three years in the event that they service often at a Honda Service Centre.

A further three years of roadside help is out there beneath the identical circumstances.

To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability software

CarExpert’s Tackle the Honda ZR-V

The mid-size SUV section is very aggressive, and this top-spec ZR-V simply doesn’t have a super-strength to set it other than the remainder.

Don’t get me improper, it’s trendy, comfy, environment friendly, nice to drive, and low-cost to run, however not more than different gamers within the $55,000 ballpark.

I discover the up to date Nissan Qashqai to be extra fancy, and the repute of Toyota hybrids for effectivity is unparalleled. If you wish to save on gasoline, there are additionally loads of electrical alternate options at this value level.

One other vital benefit that rivals just like the Qashqai and Toyota RAV4 have over the ZR-V is practicality. At a pinch, each alternate options can function household automobiles, however the Honda can’t.

Its boot is just too small, and the second row of seating isn’t notably pleasant to taller passengers.

So, what you’re getting for $55k is a sub-premium, smallish mid-size SUV. It’s a tricky price ticket to justify, particularly when you will get right into a ZR-V for as little as $37,900 earlier than on-road prices.

The bottom VTi X+ makes much more sense as a metropolis runabout, particularly when you think about it’s comparatively environment friendly for a turbo-petrol with out hybrid help.

If solely you would pair the bottom trim with a hybrid powertrain…

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