Honda ZR-V Hybrid review

“Most people thought SUVs would,
over time, just fade away. And to a
degree they have. What drivers are
now clamouring for are mid-size
SUVs. Preferably with a cool cabin
and an efficient hybrid or pure-
electric powertrain...”

TIME TO SAY HELLO to Honda's ZR-V. With it's SUV-esque body, cosseting five-seatcabin, impressive efficiency and hybrid powertrain, it ticks all the right boxes. For many potential owners, its most important characteristic will be its propulsion system: the ZR-V makes excellent use of the same petrol-electric hybrid setup used in Honda's latest Civic hatchback. And it's a very good one.

The powertrain uses a four-cylinder petrol engine that, much of the time, operates as a generator to charge and keep charged a small battery pack, which in turn feeds the front axle-mounted electric motors that drive the front wheels. Regenerative brakes also boost the battery whenever you brake or lift off the accelerator.

Just to be absolutely clear: this hybrid system needs NO PLUGGING-IN. For the record, the petrol engine can drive the front wheels directly at high speeds, and kick in for hard acceleration. But for much of the time you'll be enjoying an extremely smooth pure-electric car driving experience.

“Just to be clear: this
hybrid system needs
NO PLUGGING-IN.
For the record, the
petrol engine can drive
the front wheels directly
at high speeds and kick
in for hard acceleration.
But for much of the
time you’ll be enjoying
an extremely smooth
pure-electric car driving
experience...”

The self-charging powertrain develops 182bhp allied to 232lb ft of torque. That's enough to whisk you to 62mph in 8 seconds while emitting emissions of 144g/km. The really good news is the fuel economy: officially it's 48.7mpg.

However, during our week's 'normal' driving in mixed traffic and variable weather conditions we regularly bettered that, often seeing 50+. Do the math — on a full tank (57 litres) you can bank on covering 550+ miles between pit stops.

Mid-size SUVs are now one of the most popular car body styles and the ZR-V sits neatly betwixt Honda's smaller HR-V and its bigger CR-V. To put one on your drive you'll need to spend Ł39K to Ł43K. For that you can choose from entry-level Elegance, Sport or the range-topping Advance, all of which are extremely well-appointed both in terms of must-have kit as well as the safety stuff.

Options are pretty much limited to paintwork colours. Buyers, it seems, prefer it this way because the major buying decision is reduced to which trim grade suits you best.

As already mentioned, the ZR-V is bigger than the compact HR-V and not as big as the larger CR-V. Its 4,568mm x 1,840mm footprint comes with a 2,657mm wheelbase and it stands 1,620mm tall, meaning plenty of space for its core business of passenger-carrying.

Climb aboard and spaciousness is the first thing you'll likely comment on. That and the upscale ambiance underscored by leather upholstery, soft-touch materials and thorough detailing including piano black trim and high build quality. And for the driver in particular, backed up by an uncluttered style that makes every control and switch quick to find and foolproof to use. All of which makes the cabin a prime piece of automotive real estate.

The driver and passenger enjoy decent head and legroom, while the slim A-pillars make the front an involving place to sit, the views clear whether you're steering or just riding shotgun. The driver also benefits from a large rear screen, decent-sized door mirrors and a rearview camera that, in conjunction with front and rear parking sensors, makes manoeuvring in tight spots a doddle. Further pampering the driver is a two-setting memory recall for their eight-way powered seat. The well-bolstered front chairs, both electrically adjustable, also proved very comfortable on long and short journeys.

In-cabin storage includes bottle-holding front door pockets, a deep bin for personal stuff under the central armrest, a practical glovebox, two large cupholders, an open shelf that doubles as the bed for your smartphone and a hidden lower shelf served by USB ports beneath the 'floating' central console housing the drive mode and automatic gearbox selector buttons and electric parking brake.

“For a higher-riding SUV
the ZR-V holds the
road confidently and
even through the twisties
feels stable.
The steering is up to
speed with the chassis
so bends can be taken
confidently and
there’s ample oomph
and grip on hand to
punch out of corners.
It’s also easy to place
and rides well.
In short, you’ll enjoy
driving this ZR-V...”

Another smart detail that's also very effective is the honeycomb-pattern air vent strip running across the full width of the dash and ensuring excellent ventilation and airflow exactly where you want it.

When it comes to travelling in the back, adults will have no complaints because space there is generous — and notable for more leg-stretching room than in any of the ZR-V's same-segment peers.

When three share the back row, they'll also benefit from the lack of a transmission hump in the rear floor. Not only does this mean better foot room but it adds extra flexibility should you need to carry something there, such as a couple of large, hard-shelled cases. Back passengers also have heated seats, dedicated rear air vents and the use of a couple of charging USB ports.

All three ZR-V trims are generously appointed; the Advance model we've been driving this week lacks for nothing. Highlights include a 9-inch central infotainment touchscreen, Honda Connect infotainment and SatNav, 10.2-inch digital driver's display with customisable views, easy-to-read head-up display, wireless smartphone charging, reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors, full leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, heated leather-rimmed steering wheel, keyless entry and start, premium Bose 12-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay (wireless connectivity) and Android Auto for your smartphone, panoramic sunroof, ambient LED cabin lighting, LED lights front and rear, high beam support (automatically dips the headlights at night to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic), active cornering lights, adaptive cruise control, powered tailgate and a set of gloss black, diamond-cut alloy wheels.

Drivers will applaud Honda for fitting conventional analogue controls to operate the climate system — a strip of 'proper' knobs and buttons sits below the main screen, so no distracting finger-tapping! The touchscreen is also supported by physical buttons including 'home' and 'back' keys, plus a volume knob. The screen itself is foolproof to use and has easily configurable shortcuts for accessing most-used features.

For a higher-riding SUV the ZR-V holds the road confidently and even through the twisties remains stable. The steering is up to speed with the chassis so bends can be taken confidently and there's ample oomph and grip on hand to punch out of corners. The suspension, too, seems happy to play along, keeping the ZR-V nicely composed. Good visibility makes it easy to plac,e and it also rides well, smoothing out uneven blacktop. In short, you'll enjoy driving this ZR-V.

Also reassuring to know is that there's an extensive suite of tech and driver assistance features working in the background to keep you and yours safe. All part of Honda's 'Sensing' package that brings you a forward collision warning system, a full set of 11 airbags (including a front centre airbag that inflates between the driver and front passenger), lane keep and lane departure warning, brake assist, a Road Departure Mitigation system, driver attention monitoring, traffic sign recognition and traffic jam assist.

“The well-shaped boot
is easily loaded via the
hands-free power-
operated tailgate.
With the back seats in
use there’s 380 litres for
luggage — unless you’re
planning on sleeping in
your ZR-V, you really
don’t need any more.
The rear seat base
cushions also dive down
when folded,
forming a seamless
cargo floor...”

What's so satisfying about gliding through urban landscapes in the ZR-V is the oh-so-quiet electric drive. Plus there's an ample sufficiency of get-up-and-go, and even when it's active you'll be hard pushed to hear the petrol engine joining in. Acceleration is crisp, overtaking hassle-free and motorways trips are a breeze thanks to adaptive cruise control.

While there are Comfort, Sport and Snow driving modes, Eco is the one we favoured for most of our test week. Top speed, should you be driving outside the UK's borders, is 108mph.

The e-CVT gearbox — not to be confused with the more common and sometimes distracting conventional CVT autoboxes — works harmoniously and unnoticed in the background. Pleasant-to-use metal paddleshifters behind the steering wheel allow for on-the-move adjustment of the brake regeneration intensity.

The well-shaped boot is easily loaded via the hands-free power-operated tailgate. With the 60:40 split-folding back seats in use there's 380 litres for luggage — unless you're planning on sleeping in your ZR-V, you really don't need any more.

The rear seat base cushions dive down and forward when folding, forming a 1,322-litre loadbay and ensuring a low and entirely seamless cargo floor. And, with no lip to load over, items can be slid in without any problems.

Strong bag hooks are fitted either side of the boot, and the 12V socket is useful for powering chilled picnic boxes, etc. The 'tailored' rubber boot mat is ideal for muddy dogs and boots and can be whisked out in a jiffy for a hose down. You can carry 65kg on the roof and tow a braked 750kg.

Honda's ZR-V showcases pretty much everything drivers want from a mid-size SUV: a spacious and stylish cabin with an upmarket ambiance, a 'got-the-lot' kit tally, slick hybrid powertrain, impressive real-world economy and a smooth driving experience every time out. ~ MotorBar

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