Hybrid or petrol models of the new Honda ZR-V SUV are available.  Perhaps we’ve become used to Honda making cars and SUVs that look a bit chunky, but, at least with the brand new ZR-V design, Honda have streamlined the SUV’s looks…  and I like it.

With an average fuel economy range sitting at 5–7.4 litres/100 km, depending on whether the particular ZR-V model you’re driving is a petrol or hybrid, Honda is certainly living up to its status of being a manufacturer of fuel-efficient vehicles.  Starting with the nose, the streamlined five-sided LED headlights brace around a dominant grille that looks just the right size for the car and sinks itself down to become braced by the bumper.  There is only a thin strip of bodywork between the grille and the front air dam which houses a stylish mesh graft.  It is an elegant design that continues its pleasant proportions down the side of the mid-size SUV.  Your eyes are drawn to the prominent wheel arches, the high waistline and the ZR-V’s sweeping roofline that tapers over the tailgate area.  Around the back of the ZR-V, its tidy design finishes off nicely with crisp LED taillights that wrap around the corners, and there are two exhaust outlets, one at each corner and low-down.  There is a roof spoiler above the tailgate, and the rear glass shield is of a decent size to see what’s going on behind. 

On another practical note, the boot lip is low so that any big bags or items you may have to heave inside, once the powered tailgate opens up, can be relatively easily placed in the cargo area.  The boot space can expand, depending on how you want to configure the rear seats; it starts from 370 litres behind the rear seats and can be extended up to 1312 litres.  Honda are masters of maximising interior space, and with the 2024 Honda ZR-V SUV, there is plenty of room for the occupants to sit comfortably in any of the seats.  Front seat occupants enjoy comfortable seats and plenty of space.  The ZR-V’s cabin is exceptionally thought out, with a crisp design, clear displays, classy materials, and good amounts of storage.

The quality of the materials used are splendid, with a lot of synthetic leather on top of the dashboard and around the button-press gear selector.  You get climate control buttons and dials that are separate from the snazzy 9.0-inch infotainment screen.  The infotainment system is simple to use, with decent responsivity when applying touchscreen controls and the large graphics being nice and clear to read.

Behind the steering wheel is a 10.2-inch digital driver’s display. This is customisable in its graphics and offers multiple views.  The top-spec models also get a head-up display.

Something that most people enjoy is a decent bit of music, and the 2024 Honda ZR-V SUV does come with a great sound system.  Eight speakers pump out the jams in the base model, with more speakers and gruntier sound as you head for premium versions.  The SUV comes equipped with smart device integration, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. 

Another important family feature is safety and Honda have you covered here.  The ZR-V achieved a decent 4 out of 5 stars in recent Euro NCAP tests, so is a solid performer.  Features like front, side and curtain airbags; the full five lap/sash pre-tensioning seatbelts for all five seats; crash avoidance with braking, ABS, traction and electronic stability control; hill descent and hill holder control; active lane keeping assist with collision alert/warning; driver attention detection; front and rear parking assist; active cruise control; a rear-view camera; an engine immobiliser; and a very good security alarm are all part of the deal. 

Zoned climate control, sound system upgrades, and the interior trimming all have upgrades as you climb up through the ZR-V range of variants.  There are four models available, with the hybrid model being the most expensive in the range, but not by a heck of a lot.  The new Honda ZR-V SUV is a small SUV that places itself competitively in the market.  It can go head to head with the likes of Toyota’s Corolla Cross and RAV4, Hyundai’s Tucson, Kia’s Sportage, Suzuki’s Vitara, Nissan’s Qashqai, and Mazda’s CX-3 and CX-5. 

The same 2.0-litre petrol-hybrid unit paired with a CVT automatic transmission that you find is in the excellent new Honda Civic Hatchback (if you don’t need an SUV, then this is a must to view). As this develops 137 kW of power and 314 Nm of torque, you can get from 0 to 100 km/h in around 8 seconds, while it is possible to get around 50 mpg (4.7 litres/100 km), which is impressive for a front-wheel-drive CVT SUV. 

The other three ZR-Vs use Honda’s nippy 1.5-litre turbo petrol unit.  With this motor running the show, it feels peppy and delivers great fuel economy.  The 2024 Honda ZR-V SUV has a firm but supple ride, while the handling is quite nippy for a mid-size SUV. 

For a sharp-looking medium SUV, the new Honda ZR-V is roomy and offers an efficient powertrain and a stylish cabin.  It comes with a 5 year/unlimited km warranty.

The 2024 Honda ZR-V models include the:

• Honda ZR-V VTi X
• Honda ZR-V VTi L
• Honda ZR-V VTi LX
• Honda ZR-V e:HEV LX (Hybrid 2.0-litre)

For any more information on the new Honda ZR-V SUV, for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181.  If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Honda dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours.  Private Fleet – car buying made easy!