Honda ZR-V hybrid 2023: Australian prices and specifications detailed

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Honda has outlined the four-variant ZR-V line-up it hopes will topple Toyota’s RAV4.

Built on Honda’s new global vehicle architecture, the medium-sized SUV will be available in VTi X, VTi L, VTi LX and e:HEV LX grades and cost between $40,200 to $54,900 driveaway.

Sitting between the four-seat HR-V small SUV and five/seven-seat CR-V midsize SUV, the five-seat ZR-V is closer in terms of size to the latter rather than the former.

The first all-new Honda nameplate released in Australia in 20 years, the ZR-V will enter the fiercely competitive midsize SUV segment, taking on the likes of RAV4, Kia Sportage and Mazda CX-5.

ZR-V offered with both hybrid and turbo-petrol options

Honda will offer two powertrain options, a 1.5-litre turbo inline-four with a CVT; and the 2.0-litre hybrid inline-four which uses the engine as a generator for a small battery, with the vehicle being propelled by two electric motors.  

All ZR-V models are front-wheel-drive only; there are no manual variants.

Notably, you have to pay extra for certain safety features. While the base model and up get Honda Sensing – lane-keep assist, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control – blind-spot monitoring doesn’t arrive until $8300 later on the VTi LX, nor does reverse cross-traffic alert. 

On the plus side, the standard-across-the-range AEB works both forward and reverse, and can detect cyclists and pedestrians. There’s also a standard, fatigue-fighting driver attention monitor.

All models come with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty; complimentary five-year roadside assistance and 12-month/10,000km servicing intervals – priced at $199/year for the first five services.

What does each ZR-V grade include?

VTi X

Drivetrain: 1.5-litre turbocharged inline-four, 131kW/240Nm, automatic (CVT)

The base model at $40,200, the VTi X gives you 11 airbags and Honda’s full Sensing safety suite (aforementioned). Honda claims combined ADR fuel economy of 7.0L/100km while inside, there’s a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay (wired Android Auto) and a 10.2-inch digital instrument display doing away with analogue dials. While the seats are cloth, you get a leather steering wheel and gear lever. 

There’s dual-zone climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels, a basic eight-speaker sound system, while you score adaptative LED headlights standard with automatic high beam. 

Curiously, the VTi X has the tightest turning circle of any ZR-V variant at 5.2 metres (versus 5.5 for all other specifications) while the marginally biggest boot (380 litres versus 370 of the others).

VTi L 

Drivetrain: 1.5-litre turbocharged inline-four, 131kW/240Nm, automatic (CVT)

For an additional $3000, the VTi L brings heated front seats in a nicer “leatherette” synthetic material, 18-inch wheels, heated door mirrors and an electric powered rear tailgate. 

There’s also tinted rear windows, fancier LED tail-lights and metal steering wheel paddle shifters (which feel a bit nicer than the plastic items of the VTi X). 

Fuel economy increases slightly to 7.2L/100km. The extra gear ups weight from 1470kg to 1488kg, while the VTi L also ‘unlocks’ two additional colours – Premium Crystal Blue and Crystal Black. Neither are available on the VTi X.

VTi LX 

Drivetrain: 1.5-litre turbocharged inline-four, 131kW/240Nm, automatic (CVT)

For another $5300 the VTi LX takes things up another notch inside, with genuine leather-appointed seats (not full leather), electrically adjustable front seats with memory settings, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, a better 12-speaker Bose sound system, wireless phone charger, inbuilt satellite navigation, a 360-degree parking camera, nicer-looking metal sports pedals and other minor cosmetic tweaks such as exterior body-coloured lower bumpers and wheel arches. 

The VTi LX also adds a drive mode selector dial with Sport, Normal and Econ modes. Fuel economy meanwhile remains at 7.2L/100km while weight increases an additional 22kg to 1510kg.

e-HEV LX 

Drivetrain: 2.0-litre inline-four hybrid, two electric motors, 135kW/315Nm

For a hefty $14,700 over the base model – and a $6400 jump over the VTi LX, itself $5300 above the VTi L – the hybrid brings its advanced electrified powertrain with claimed ADR fuel economy of just 5.0L/100km. 

It will presumably drive very differently, owing to its smooth, quiet, responsive electric motors. In addition to the hybrid powertrain, there’s shift-by-wire (which makes the centre console and stack a lot tidier), a keycard instead a fob and special exterior badging. 

While it’s not a plug-in hybrid, the e-HEV does have an EV mode for silent low-speed electric motoring. One drawback to having a hybrid is there’s a puncture repair kit (instead of a space-saver spare tyre like all the other variants).

The e-HEV LX weighs 1586kg, 76kg more than the VTi LX and 116kg more than the VTI X.

Honda ZR-V 2023: prices in Australia

All prices listed are driveaway.

• VTi X: $40,200
• VTi L: $43,200
• VTi LX: $48,500
• e-HEV LX: $54,900