By Ian Strachan.
Honda has managed to find room in its excellent range for another SUV, sandwiched between the new HR-V and the excellent CR-V.
The all-new Honda ZR-V provides an attractively designed, sporty and practical option, with the latest hybrid technology to help performance and economy.
The ZR-V, despite having car-like driving dynamics, has a sporty look, with a purposeful front end, deep rear bumper, and chunky 18 inch alloys which are fitted to all models in the range. The car has clearly been designed with the European market in mind.
It comes with a smart interior with high quality materials and finish and easy-to-use technology for its infotainment system, as well as a wide range of safety aids.
The inside is an extremely comfortable and airy place to be, with excellent visibility all round. Clear, centrally-placed well-lit instruments and easily accessible controls help the overall feeling of well-being inside the cabin.
Specification is good on the 2.0i Sport which I tested, with dual-zone climate control, all-round airbags, premium audio system with eight-speaker DAB radio, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth and MP3 capability, satellite navigation, front and rear parking sensors with rear view camera, front fog lights, powered folding door mirrors, heated front seats, active smart headlights with automatic high beam and cruise control. You also get a hands-free powered tailgate and split folding rear seats to increase the boot capacity from 380 litres to 1322 litres.
My test vehicle was powered by the 2.0 litre 143bhp petrol version of the hybrid which gives 48.7 miles to the gallon in mixed driving despite sparkling performance which gives you a 0-760 mph time of just over 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 108 miles an hour. It’s a smooth unit with adequate power across the range. At motorway speeds it feels comfortable, quiet and unfussed. It is linked to a stepless CVT automatic gearbox.
Handling is responsive with crisp steering. The suspension set-up is quite soft giving you a comfortable, refined ride.
The ZR-V promises to be a good seller for Honda, and the sustainable benefits of a hybrid will do it no harm. It looks good, has a nice driving environment and good performance.
The ZR-V Sport 2.0i Hybrid comes at a competitive £41,095 on the road, plus £650 for metallic paint.
