Honda ZR-V e:HEV Hybrid review

“You have to feel for Jack Reacher —
six-feet-five, 250lbs and with
a fifty-inch chest. While such a
physique undoubtedly comes in
handy for taking down the bad
guys, all that rippling muscle must
make finding a car to fit something
of a nightmare...”

FORTUNATELY for most people, Honda's mid-sized, family-friendly hybrid ZR-V hits the spot; fitting neatly into the brand's SUV/Crossover range between the compact HR-V and the bigger CR-V. It also benefits from the realistically green hybrid system powering the Civic and CR-V, as well as Honda's well-deserved reputation for engineering and reliability.

To give it its name, the power source for the ZR-V is Honda's e:HEV powertrain. This pairs a 2.0-litre petrol engine with a self-charging, dual-motor hybrid system that serves up punchy, responsive, EV-like performance courtesy of the electric motor's 181bhp and 232lb ft of torque.

Looks-wise, Honda has softened the boxy full-on lines you expect of an SUV, giving the ZR-V a breezy, all-road estate look without neutralising its crossover character. Behind the Honda badge on its teasingly rakish nose, the ZR-V's body smartly blends the best features of an SUV and a hatchback. It's a mix that appeals to a wide spread of drivers.

“Honda has softened the
boxy full-on lines you
expect of an SUV, giving
the ZR-V a breezy,
all-road estate look
without neutralising its
crossover character.
Behind the teasingly rakish nose, the ZR-V’s
body smartly blends
the best features of
an SUV and a
hatchback...”

Among the ZR-V's many plus points is its driving position. From behind the multifunction wheel there's a great view of the road, with reassuring all-round visibility. Long, deep side windows, front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera make parking something to enjoy.

Admittedly, it's not quite as far off the ground as a Range Rover, but the Honda's slim A-pillars add a valuable little extra width to the panoramic view. Throw in an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a decent range of steering-wheel adjustment and any driver can find an engaging, sporty driving position that makes light work of driving in all conditions.

Getting on board is hassle-free, with all four wide-opening doors granting unhindered access whether you're getting in or getting out. Once seated, the ZR-V's airy glasshouse makes for a light and spacious cabin, boosted by the full glass sunroof.

Settled comfortably in either supportive front seat, you'll immediately notice that everything is well laid out and exactly where you'd expect to find it, from cupholders and USB ports to the principal switchgear. Controls on the good-to-grip, leather-wrapped multifunction steering-wheel are clearly marked and the rim is heated. The trim looks — and feels — agreeably upscale. Fit and finish are excellent and the materials feel classy, enhanced by plenty of soft-touch padding.

Another neat touch is the 'floating' two-tier centre console. This houses all the switchgear for the automatic transmission and drive modes — Econ, Sport, Normal and Snow — along with Hill Descent Control, an electric parking brake with auto-hold, a pair of charging USB ports and a wireless charging bed for your smartphone. It also provides some very useful and easily accessible storage. Thankfully, the glovebox too is 'real-life' sized.

One feature that drivers will be delighted to find is the non-touchscreen climate-control panel, which uses tactile conventional rotary controls and 'clicky' buttons. More intuitive, and so much safer, than tapping a screen while driving.

That's not all. The shapely, powered black leather seats both have three-stage heating and ventilation and remained perfectly comfortable during a seven-hour stop-start drive from Devon to Kent. In the front there's a fist-and-a-half of headroom, plenty of space for knees and ample room for the front passenger to stretch their legs. Usefully, the central-console armrest is wide enough for sharing, so there are no irritating elbow clashes.

Even technophobic drivers will find the responsive and well-organised central infotainment and navigation touchscreen intuitively easy to operate. At nine inches, it's big enough to show everything you might want to see, simply and sharply, including clear on-screen mapping, without overwhelming the logically laid-out dash. The same goes for the 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster.

Making life as easy as possible for the driver is a superb head-up display showing the posted speed limit, current road speed and foolproof SatNav prompts. Like seat belts, every car should be fitted with one of these head-up units!

The ZR-V comes extremely well specced. Included in the long list of standard-fit items are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for smartphone mirroring, dual-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, full leather upholstery, keyless entry with fingertip opening/locking to both front doors, wireless smartphone charging, adaptive cruise control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, four one-shot-up/down windows, 12 BOSE surround sound speakers, privacy glass, reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, glass roof, hands-free powered tailgate with kick sensor and walk-away closing, LED lights with adaptive driving beam, and a set of standout Shark Grey 18-inch alloy wheels.

“Sitting in the rear cabin
of some cars can feel
like you’ve been
downgraded to economy.
Not so in the ZR-V.
There’s substantial
space, and along with
plentiful headroom you’ll
find heaps of foot room,
masses of kneeroom
and loads of legroom.
Combined with comfy
backrest recline angles, stress-free journeys
for two or three rear
passengers are
guaranteed...”

Keeping you and yours as safe as possible on today's unpredictable roads is Honda's SENSING: a truly comprehensive suite of driver aids and safety kit that's far too long to list here. Along with multiple airbags, including knee and front-centre bags, it's fair to say that if you can think of it, this ZR-V has most likely got it.

Sitting in the rear cabin of some cars can feel like you've been downgraded to economy. Not so in the ZR-V. There's substantial rear-passenger space, and along with plentiful headroom you'll find heaps of foot room, masses of kneeroom and loads of legroom. Combined with comfy backrest recline angles, stress-free journeys for two or three rear passengers are guaranteed.

Rear occupants also benefit from heated rear seats and dedicated AirCon vents, along with two charging USB-C ports, usable door bins, large seatback pouches and a wide drop-down centre armrest with built-in cupholders.

Views out are fine, and sun worshippers will love the double-panel glass roof. Shade-lovers can easily close the powered sunblind, while fresh-air fans will appreciate the slide 'n' tilt roof section. What you can be sure of is that you won't hear any complaints from those travelling in the back.

Just one of many thoughtful features benefiting the driver is the way the rear headrests slide fully down into the seatbacks. When driving solo, this ensures maximum rearward visibility.

Behind the second-row seats is a usable, regular-shaped 370-litre boot. Unless you're running a side hustle dealing in antiques, you'll find 370 litres to be of ample sufficiency. Particularly when the 60:40-split rear seats fold down as easily as those in the HR-V. The resulting 1,301-litre loadbay has a genuinely flat floor, a low-height sill (with no inconvenient loading lip), and a hands-free powered tailgate with a generous opening.

'Lite' towing is doable, too — the ZR-V will pull a braked 750kg.

Also appreciated is the flip-up panel that divides the boot, along with an underfloor locker. A 12V power socket means you can take a proper chill box on picnics, while pop-out bag hooks can each handle 3kg. And if you need to carry muddy dogs, wellies or even dirty track bikes, the fitted (and easily removeable for hosing down) rubber boot mat is a big plus.

Another well-considered feature: lights in the base of the tailgate that illuminate the boot when loading at night.

Along with its real-world ability to serve as an effective five-seater SUV and perform a wide variety of family chores with ease, the ZR-V's real USP must be its EV-like performance, delivered without ever needing any time-out for recharging. The hybrid powertrain never needs topping up by its owner. It does it all by itself.

That's because the four-pot petrol engine functions principally as a generator, feeding the ZR-V's main electric motor via the lithium-ion battery pack beneath the boot floor. As such, the engine rarely drives the front wheels. However, when cruising on motorways at high speeds a clutch enables the engine to connect directly to the front wheels for better efficiency. No need to worry about the 'how'. All that matters is that, like an experienced majordomo, it works competently in the background so you're never aware of it.

That said, wherever possible, electric running is prioritised. So for much of the time, especially in low-speed urban townscapes, the ZR-V will be happily running on hushed electric power.

The 2.0-litre e:HEV hybrid powertrain is satisfyingly smooth and responsive. The electric motor spins up smoothly, just like an EV, and on demand delivers all the go you need — something you'll welcome whenever carrying two or three passengers plus luggage in the boot.

“The hybrid ZR-V is
impressively efficient.
Our test average, taking
in our motorway trip
from Devon to Kent in
congested Bank Holiday
traffic as well as plenty
of ‘round-the-houses’
running about, came out
at an extremely
persuasive 49.1mpg.
Officially, you can
cover 621 miles on a full
tank!”

Top speed is 108mph, with zero to 62mph acceleration done and dusted in 7.9 seconds. The e:HEV is also impressively efficient. Our test average, taking in our motorway trip from Devon to Kent in congested Bank Holiday traffic as well as plenty of 'round-the-houses' running about, came out at an extremely persuasive 49.1mpg.

Officially, you can drive 621 miles on a full tank!

Ride and handling matter to Honda, which is why they've fitted the ZR-V with independent multi-link rear suspension. Along with its relatively low centre of gravity, the multi-link setup adds to the car's composure through the twisties.

Well-controlled body movements, even when cornering in a hurry, responsive steering and decent grip ensure the ZR-V feels tied down. Metal paddle-shifters behind the steering-wheel let you select the intensity of the variable brake regeneration for 'engine braking'.

Talking of which, the brakes are progressive and deliver strong stopping power.

Add in excellent visibility from behind the wheel and a pleasant ride quality rolling on 18-inch alloys, and it's not rocket science to see why this compact Honda SUV is both easy to place and easy to drive.

A likeable, refined, family-friendly mid-size SUV, the ZR-V serves up a quiet, relaxing drive, generous cabin space, stacks of can-do ability, and punchy yet impressively economical hybrid power.

As we quickly discovered, drive one and you'll want one! ~ MotorBar

home | top of page | all new car reviews