By Ian Strachan.
I have to confess, when I first saw the Honda ZR-V I struggled to understand where it fitted in Honda’s range. It seemed the company’s SUV stable was getting a bit crowded.
But now I’ve tested one it’s all become clear. The ZR-V is smaller than the excellent Honda CR-V, but bigger than the recently upgraded HR-V. It’s very much a crossover for those who want something a bit more agile than a conventional SUV and don’t need so much space.
Like its cousins, the ZR-V is a hybrid, with the 2.0 litre petrol engine powering two electric motors, with no need to plug it in.
Despite its similarities to other Honda SUVs, the ZR-V has an identity of its own, with a smart front grilles and sleek headlights adding to its attractive rounded look. Stylish 18-inch diamond cut alloys add to its sporty appearance. And as well as looking good, it has pleasing performance, frugality and bags of technology.
I test drove the ZR-V in Advance spec. The 2.0 litre petrol engine gives a more-than-adequate 181 bhp, with a 132 g/km CO2 emissions and a combined economy of 48.7 miles per gallon in mixed driving.
The inside is a comfortable and airy place to be, with good visibility, especially the forward view, and pleasant trim and seat materials. The Advance specification which I drove gives you a high spec including dual-zone climate control with easy to reach physical adjustment, all-round airbags, rear view camera, heated front seats, powered tailgate and cruise control.
You also get lane-keeping assist, a good 12-speaker Bose surround sound audio system with Bluetooth, phone-charging plate and satellite navigation. My test car had stepless CVT automatic transmission.
Clear, centrally-placed well-lit instruments and easily accessible controls help the overall feeling of well-being inside the cabin. The Advance spec includes a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, heated rear seats and ambient lighting.
Handling is good, with crisp steering. The car is packed with safety technology including an active braking system and a speed limiter with traffic sign recognition function.
The ZR-V deserves to do well. It looks good, has a nice driving environment and good performance combined with fairly low running costs and a five year 90,000 mile warranty which also covers the hybrid system.
The ZR-V Advance comes at £42,910 on the road. My test car came with attractive Platinum White pearl paintwork at £650.
