Honda ZR-V test drive: a holiday you didn’t expect?

In order not to delay, here is a test drive of the second car from the pair of Honda crossovers in Ukraine, which were announced at the end of last year and began arriving in our country in early 2024. The Honda ZR-V crossover offers a new name and a new positioning among the already well-known Honda models; but what else can it offer? Let me tell you everything!

Design: a calm and sensible crossover wagon

This is the impression that immediately arises when you look at the Honda ZR-V: it looks like a passenger wagon that has been slightly raised above the road, but has not yet reached the height of other crossovers. The Honda ZR-V is relatively low, which gives the impression of a passenger crossover wagon. This is further emphasized by the declared ground clearance of 180 mm and front-wheel drive only (in versions for Europe and Ukraine).

The design is, let’s say, laconic. The hood is large and clearly distinguished, the radiator grille seems to be overly compressed by the bumper, the headlights are stretched horizontally, the wheel arches are outlined with practical plastic overlays, and the rear roof pillar has a small window. A very traditional, calm, versatile design: when you look at the Honda ZR-V, you don’t immediately understand the year of the model’s launch – it could equally well have existed in the early 2000s or in 2023-2024. But it turns out that such a laconic design is timeless.

For the company Honda crossover Honda ZR–V opens a new niche and gets its own positioning – between the well-known cars Honda HR –V (smaller size, lower power) and Honda CR–V (larger dimensions, may be all-wheel drive). The dimensions correspond to this positioning: length – 4.57 meters; width – 1.84 meters; height – 1.62 meters; wheelbase – 2.66 meters.

In the interior of the Honda ZR-V, designers have already been given more freedom. Maybe not in the choice of colors (traditional black and gray), but definitely in the choice of shapes and fancy elements. For example, a strip grille that runs along the front panel and hides ventilation deflectors. Or the center console in the form of a dumbbell: a protruding handle, a shelf under it, a push-button transmission selector, a joystick for switching driving modes. By the way, similar dumbbell handles are installed on the front doors. Although the Honda ZR-V crossover has many familiar and traditional design elements. The climate control unit with numerous buttons and switches is installed as a separate element. Similarly, the central 9-inch display of the Honda Connect multimedia system. Another display has found a place directly behind the steering wheel as part of the combined instrument cluster – a digital display plus an analog speedometer.

However, the designers’ inspiration has already run out. A conventional sofa with the possibility of folding in parts, plus ventilation deflectors and an armrest for passenger comfort – that’s all. Do you want more details? Well, then it’s worth noting the small doors and the inability to open them at a 90-degree angle, and the test car lacks seat heating. In these respects, the Honda ZR-V crossover seems to be deliberately inferior to its older brother, the Honda CR-V, in order to keep up in market positioning. In addition, it is worth noting the slightly moved armrests – on the doors and the central one: the latter is well located just under the arm and elbow, but the armrest on the door seems to want to be moved back.

However, sitting in the back is still generally comfortable: good legroom, sufficient headroom. And the ride is good – relative to the front seats, you can hear the suspension more; however, there are still no comments on its comfort and stability. Although I will talk about this later. And now let’s focus on the 380-liter trunk. Although there was no electric lid, there are several hooks and a side niche for small items.

The interior of the Honda ZR–V also does not try to impress with a revolutionary design, but there are still some interesting elements. But most importantly, there is a lot of convenience and comfort: all the controls are in place, large windows and mirrors provide good visibility, and the seats offer a low seating position with a large range of adjustments. The rear doors are medium-sized and I wish they were heated (it’s a matter of equipment), but overall it’s comfortable and there’s enough space. The trunk is a similar story – nothing extraordinary, but enough volume and several points for ease of use.

Technology: Honda Civic-based chassis and e:HEV hybrid under the hood

All of these hints of a passenger crossover wagon are confirmed when you take a closer look at the technical component of the new car. After all, the Honda ZR-V crossover is built on a common platform with the Honda Civic hatchback: this means independent suspension not only in front but also in the rear. It also means a rather low location of the structural components. For example, the components of the e:HEV hybrid powertrain, which we will also mention in our discussion of the Honda CR-V crossover.

After all, under the hood of the Honda ZR-V, there is also a rather large 2-liter 4-cylinder atmospheric gasoline engine. In most cases, it works only to drive a generator that produces electricity, and this energy is used to power the electric motor that sets the car in motion. Also, the e:HEV hybrid system provides for the presence of an intermediate Li-Ion battery in the trunk, where excess energy received during the operation of the gasoline engine or during recuperation can be collected and stored. However, even if the battery is fully or almost fully charged, it will only last for 1-1.5-2 km on electric drive alone. After that, the gasoline engine kicks in again.

In addition, when driving at a speed of 80-100-120 km/h and depending on the charge level of the intermediate battery, the gasoline engine can be directly connected mechanically (through a clutch and gearbox) to the wheels of the car. And this is where the main difference between the Honda ZR-V and the Honda CR-V lies: the Honda ZR-V model uses a 1-speed gearbox and has only front-wheel drive. Let me remind you that the new generation Honda CR-V has a 2-speed gearbox and front or all-wheel drive. I would also like to remind you that there are other engine options (2-liter atmospheric or 1.5-liter turbo engine) and transmission options (front-wheel drive/all-wheel drive) for a car identical to the Honda ZR-V.

However, the crossover Honda ZR–V for the European market and, accordingly, Ukraine is available in one version by technology: only an e:HEV hybrid based on a gasoline engine and an electric motor, as well as only front-wheel drive. The 2-liter gasoline engine produces 143 hp (105 kW) of power and 186 Nm of torque. But in most cases, the car is driven by an electric motor, so we focus on its performance, which is more interesting – 184 hp (135 kW) and 315 Nm of torque are declared. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 7.8 seconds, top speed of 173 km/h, fuel consumption of 5.7-5.8 liters per 100 km (WLTP combined cycle) are also declared. So…

Behind the wheel: it’s a real holiday that we didn’t expect!

Now we can once again recall the older Honda CR-V crossover and its excellent hybrid – because the crossover is clearly not worse! During start-up and acceleration, the Honda ZR-V crossover is powered by an electric motor. Accordingly, we have fast and linear responses to pressing the accelerator pedal. And if you add the compact dimensions and lower weight (1589 kg for the Honda ZR-V model versus 1750-1817 kg for the Honda CR-V model), with almost unchanged torque (315 Nm versus 335 Nm), you can also count on very, very good dynamics. It turned out to be true – the Honda ZR-V not only showed its passport result, but even slightly exceeded it! Interestingly, in normal or ECON mode, during acceleration, the gasoline engine of the hybrid system constantly floats on the revs, so gear changes are simulated. The sound of the engine is noticeable in the cabin, but thanks to the constant change in tone, it is not annoying. But in sport mode, the hybrid powertrain allows the engine to reach high revs and keeps them constant – it’s loud, but really fast.

However, this is not about any sporty character of the Honda ZR-V, not at all. After all, the car’s suspension gives you good comfort on broken roads. Springs and shock absorbers work hard to hide small and medium bumps as much as possible; only large pits can disturb the driver and passengers in the cabin. Moreover, the suspension works quite quietly. The chassis also impresses with its ability to engage the wheels in corners and withstand small body rolls – although the low height also worked well here.

In general, it’s a pleasure to drive. The steering wheel makes just under 2.5 turns from stop to stop, and it doesn’t frighten you with its childish sharpness or excessive effort. At the same time, the steering wheel provides easy and clear information about the angle of rotation of the wheels and the force on them in a certain turn. The Honda ZR-V crossover responds quickly to steering wheel turns, and only when the steering wheel is jerked sharply can the front of the body be worn. However, the driving process is still easy, and it is immediately clear how to compensate for this wear. And if we remember the possibility of additional load on the front wheels during braking, especially given the soft suspension, then driving a Honda ZR-V turns into an interesting and exciting game. Once again: there is no demonstrative sportiness here – but there is a pleasant character and a seeming desire of the car to communicate with the driver and fulfill all his commands. I appreciate it!

Under the hood, the hybrid nature of the powertrain is recognized by the bright wires. And on the road, it’s the good dynamics and ease of handling. And the chassis supports these sentiments: a perfect balance of comfort and handling. The DRIVE MODE selector allows you to choose among four driving modes; even in ECON, there is enough dynamics, and when you activate the sport mode, the second-level recuperation is immediately activated. In the other modes, you can adjust the recuperation manually using the steering wheel paddles, choosing one of the four levels. Other personal observations: acceleration to “hundred” is given in 7.6-7.7 seconds; fuel consumption in the city is usually in the range of 5.5-6 liters per 100 kilometers (plus or minus 0.5 liters for driving conditions and driving style); fuel consumption on the highway at a speed of about 100 km/h is also in the range of 5.5-6 liters; all observations are for a car with summer tires.

Cost: how much does the Honda ZR-V cost and who is in the competition

Currently, the Honda ZR-V is available in Ukraine with only one powertrain in the form of an e:HEV hybrid and only one Elegance trim: lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and collision avoidance system, traffic sign recognition, traffic jam assist, multiple airbags/curtain airbags, dual-zone climate control, 7-inch digital instrument cluster, cloth seats and leather steering wheel, Honda Connect multimedia system with 9-inch touchscreen display, rearview camera, LED headlights with automatic dipped beam, 18-inch alloy wheels, etc. Accordingly, we also have one price for the car HondaZR–VElegance – from UAH 1.55 million or $38.8 thousand for a certain composition of promotional cars in 2023.

In fact, the price list contains two prices. After all, the standard price of the Honda ZR-V starts at UAH 1.8 million or $45 thousand, and this price level was simply incredibly high for a car of this class/size/format. However, now the price is not overtly low, but much more adequate – and in this case, with all the advantages of the Honda ZR-V, this crossover becomes more interesting to buy.

Right now in Ukraine, the Honda ZR–V cars are offered only in the Elegance configuration, although everything you need is already present here: modern LED headlights and 18-inch wheels, various security systems and a combined digital instrument panel, multimedia system and rearview camera. Do you want more? Then wait for the appearance of the Honda ZR–V Sport and Honda ZR–V Advance versions: they should offer an electric trunk lid, wireless charging, black and glossy exterior décor, leather or combined (fabric/leather) seat trim, heated steering wheel and all seats, BOSE audio, panoramic glass roof, windshield projection, etc. But the competition already offers this, right?

Just a few paragraphs about competitors. I would like to note that the rivals from the C-SUV segment were analyzed in the review of Mazda CX-30 (this is also a competitor) and there is no point in repeating the list of a huge number of models. Generally speaking, there are many crossovers of similar size and format on the Ukrainian market now; they are available with gasoline, diesel, and hybrid powertrains; you can find versions with front or all-wheel drive; you can find simpler configurations. All this leads to the fact that you can find more affordable cars. This means that even with the price reduction, the Honda ZR-V will not look like the most profitable purchase for budget-conscious buyers.

But what if the buyer is willing to pay more but also demands more? For example, if we are talking about high power (180-200 hp), if you want good engine efficiency, if front-wheel drive is sufficient, the range of competitors is significantly narrower. Firstly, we can mention the Nissan Qashqai in the e-Power version and the Toyota Corolla Cross crossover, which we always offer with a hybrid and front-wheel drive. Secondly, the updated Citroen C5 Aircross is an unexpected competitor: it also offers a combination of efficiency and power; it is just that it is achieved not by using a hybrid, but thanks to a diesel engine. So: among such competitors, it is the Honda ZR-V that offers the best dynamics and the best road behavior in terms of the balance of comfort and handling. And so…