2025 Honda ZR-V e:HEV LX assessment

Whenever you consider the trendy mid-size SUV, you most likely consider rising households and mature drivers who respect grown up issues like an elevated seating place and floor clearance.

However Honda sought to vary that with the introduction of the ZR-V again in 2023. Quite than focusing on the identical previous crowd, Honda blended parts of the HR-V, CR-V and Civic into a brand new nameplate aimed squarely at Era Z.

With funky styling and a beginning worth south of $40,000, the ZR-V remains to be pitched as a automobile for giant children… besides possibly this one.

Whereas the bottom ZR-V VTi X+ obtained a welcome $2000 worth drop for 2025, the flagship e:HEV LX stays a $54,900 proposition, and that’s earlier than on-road prices.

Now, as a member of Gen Z myself, I’d hardly name {that a} pleasant price ticket for automobile patrons of their 20s.

And it’s a worth level that additionally exposes the hybrid ZR-V to competitors from all angles.

On one facet there are section staples just like the Toyota RAV4 and Nissan Qashqai. On the opposite, a brand new wave of SUVs from China, each petrol and electrical.

So the place does that go away this top-spec ZR-V, now that it’s not so low-cost and never so recent? Let’s discover out.

How does the Honda ZR-V examine?

View an in depth breakdown of the Honda ZR-V in opposition to equally sized autos.

Honda

ZR-V

How a lot does the Honda ZR-V value?

The Honda ZR-V vary now opens at $37,900 drive-away for 2025, because of a $2000 worth lower. Nevertheless, pricing for the opposite three variants stays unchanged from final yr.

The flagship e:HEV LX is priced to compete with the Toyota RAV4 XSE and mid-spec variations of the Mazda CX-5 and Nissan Qashqai.

To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparison tool

What’s the Honda ZR-V like on the within?

If it’s a premium expertise you’re chasing, this top-spec ZR-V has you lined.

The inside of the e:HEV LX is plush for the value level, brimming with soft-touch supplies and high-end options.

Exhibit A: the entrance seats. Trimmed in real black leather-based, the driving force’s seat is tremendous cozy with bucketloads of cushioning and rib-hugging facet bolsters.

There’s loads of electrical adjustment for drivers of various sizes and shapes, plus three-stage heating to fight these chilly winter mornings. Whereas seat air flow is lacking from the gear checklist, the entrance chairs are perforated that can assist you keep away from a sweaty again in the summertime warmth.

The tender, thick steering wheel can also be heated within the e:HEV LX. Delicate, padded leather-based covers the centre console, central tunnel and sections of the door playing cards – no excuses for sore elbows on the finish of a drive, then.

Certain, the roots of a far cheaper SUV can nonetheless be discovered when you go looking for them, however who actually cares what the door sills are made out of anyway?

Whereas the top-spec ZR-V is undeniably comfy and well-appointed, it’s not the one automobile within the medium SUV section to boast these traits. The brand new Nissan Qashqai presents simply as effectively if not higher in Ti-L guise, with Alcantara trim and massaging entrance seats.

Honda has additionally executed effectively to differentiate the ZR-V from its CR-V and HR-V siblings within the inside design division, introducing distinctive parts like a tiered central tunnel and curved panels. And regardless of the traits of in the present day, there’s no gloss black to be seen right here – hallelujah!

As a bundle, the ZR-V is way extra fascinating that the aforementioned CR-V and HR-V. In high trim, it’s a step up in materials high quality too, though a little bit of wobble in some inside panels belies that.

Creativity can come at the price of performance, however that’s not the case right here. The ZR-V retains an easy format with user-friendly controls, together with bodily local weather controls with old-school buttons and rotary dials.

That familiarity extends to the inside expertise suite, which consists of a small 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display screen, and a ten.2-inch digital instrument cluster.

There’s nothing notably distinctive or standout about both, to be frank. Specifically, the infotainment system appears to be like a bit old-hat and lacks the processing energy provided by rivals.

Nevertheless, it’s simple to navigate and comes with necessities like wi-fi smartphone mirroring and native satellite tv for pc navigate.

Along with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wired USB-A and USB-C connections are situated below the central tunnel. A wi-fi cellphone charger may be discovered behind the cupholders.

The ZR-V additionally options first-generation Honda Join, the model’s model of linked companies. Throughout the Honda Join app you possibly can flip the lights on and off, remotely lock the doorways, geo-locate your automobile, and examine your gasoline degree, amongst different capabilities.

Just like the infotainment system, the digital instrument cluster is rudimentary and unimaginative, however practical. A pair of conventional gauges dominate the usual setup, every with customisable inset readouts encompassing in-car audio, gasoline effectivity, journey data and ADAS.

All data is displayed clearly, however there’s an absence of artistic aptitude. Creativity isn’t so related in relation to cabin storage, and the ZR-V homes a wholesome quantity of nooks and crannies.

The door bins are on the smaller facet however completely formed for a drink bottle, whereas the centre console is sweet and deep. With that stated, the glovebox is undersized and the tray between the entrance seats is deceptively slim.

Shifting again to the second row, the ZR-V isn’t as roomy as a few of its key rivals. The Toyota RAV4 and Nissan Qashqai will seat 5 full-size adults in relative consolation, however this hybrid Honda is a bit more restrictive.

Leg- and headroom are cheap if not excellent, and the seating association is healthier suited to passengers with brief legs and an extended torso. The rear seats themselves are supportive, heated, and barely reclined for consolation over longer journeys.

The comfy second row within the ZR-V is enhanced by a swathe of helpful facilities together with two USB-C retailers, air vents, map pockets and a centre armrest with built-in cupholders.

In dangerous information for potential patrons in search of house, the sloping roofline of the ZR-V additionally compromises boot house. Honda claims 370 litres of cargo capability for the ZR-V, a determine that’s bested by most rivals together with the Qashqai (504L), RAV4 (542-580L), Sportage (586L), and even the smaller Hyundai Kona (407L).

Nevertheless, there’s extra practicality right here than you would possibly suppose. The powered tailgate opens excessive, revealing a big sq. boot aperture freed from an annoying load lip.

There are hooks to your grocery buying and a 12-volt energy socket, in addition to house below the boot flooring to stow the cargo blind. And, in true Honda trend, the rear bench folds fully flat.

Regional homeowners will fret on the absence of a spare tyre, although, which drops off the gear checklist for this mannequin flagship.

To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparison tool

What’s below the bonnet?

The e:HEV LX contains a 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid with two electrical motors and an e-CVT. Complete system outputs are 135kW and 315Nm.

To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparison tool

How does the Honda ZR-V drive?

Higher than the overwhelming majority of mid-size SUVs, that’s for positive.

The ZR-V has been developed as a utilitarian city crossover with metropolis commuters entrance of thoughts, and it nails that temporary for probably the most half.

Honda’s parallel hybrid system strikes a superb steadiness between effectivity, efficiency, and drivability, providing all in equal measure.

When pushed in the actual world many autos fail to come back near the gasoline financial system determine quoted within the brochure, however throughout our take a look at the ZR-V hybrid got here inside six per cent of its spectacular 5.0L/100km official declare.

And it achieves that degree of effectivity with out fuss. The ZR-V cruises round city in EV mode, saving gasoline whereas providing a degree of quiet refinement that hybrid-less rivals can’t match.

Acceleration from a standstill is easy and swift, with no delay on throttle, and the petrol engine by no means makes a racket even when labored exhausting.

It pairs effectively with the e-CVT transmission, which works successfully when left to its personal units, however invitations guide intervention by way of metallic shift paddles that make a satisfying click on.

Certainly, the paddles work in tandem with a luxurious leather-based steering wheel and aluminium pedals to boost the standard of the driving expertise.

There’s extra to the ZR-V than a intelligent powertrain and satisfying driver inputs – it’s a well-rounded and user-friendly bundle.

You sit sufficiently excessive with an expansive view of the street forward, whereas skinny A-pillars and a beneficiant glasshouse maximise visibility left and proper. Visibility can also be aided by huge, sq. facet mirrors and a big rear window.

Measurement-wise, the ZR-V feels safe but agile, which is ideal for the lower and thrust of metropolis driving. You’ll be able to throw it into tight corners with confidence, and multi-story parking tons are simply negotiated with the assistance of a large view, excessive decision 360-degree digital camera.

Up to now, so good. However this ZR-V isn’t good.

It’s unapologetically agency at decrease speeds, bouncing over crests and ruts within the street. Even on the smoothest suburban streets, this top-spec e:HEV LX isn’t probably the most composed crossover going round.

That’s till you get it out on the freeway, the place the experience settles down and extra strengths of the ZR-V make themselves recognized.

For one, the semi-autonomous driving system is among the many greatest going round. Set the parameters by way of intuitive steering wheel controls, then the automobile will fortunately handle pace and steering inputs in your behalf.

Adaptive cruise management gives a visible illustration of site visitors circulate on the instrument cluster – like having an additional set of eyes on the street.

Different superior driver help programs (ADAS) embrace blind-spot monitoring and ahead collision warning, each of that are a bit too delicate for my liking.

I had no points with the driving force consideration monitoring system although, and the ZR-V enables you to alter ADAS settings by the infotainment display screen.

On the subject of customisation, drive modes vary from financial system by to sport, the latter bettering throttle response. I spent a lot of the week in financial system, which fits the persona of the ZR-V to a tee.

When cruising at triple-figure speeds, effectivity and punchy efficiency stay emblems of this left-field crossover.

However there’s some room for enchancment with regard to NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness). Tyre roar is a matter at increased speeds, and noise from the skin world too simply finds its means into the cabin.

That’s much less of a difficulty on quiet nation roads, the place there’s much less noise air pollution and you’ll benefit from the sporty dealing with dynamics of the ZR-V.

No matter variant, the ZR-V relishes twisty tarmac way over a lot of its friends. Steering wheel inputs are met with swift responses, and there’s little of the physique roll that afflicts much less succesful SUVs.

The one factor lacking from the bundle is all-wheel drive, however I hardly missed it throughout our testing interval.

To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparison tool

What do you get?

There are 4 variants within the ZR-V vary, and the e:HEV LX tops the lot.

To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

Is the Honda ZR-V protected?

All Honda ZR-V variants have a four-star ANCAP security score based mostly on testing carried out on hybrid fashions by sister organisation Euro NCAP in 2023.

Customary security gear contains:

• 11 airbags
  • Twin entrance and entrance knee airbags
  • Centre airbag
  • Entrance and rear facet airbags
  • Full-length curtain airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Bike owner detection
• Adaptive cruise management with low-speed observe
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Driver consideration monitoring
• Lane-keep help
• Visitors Jam Help
• Visitors signal recognition
• Entrance and rear parking sensors
• Tyre strain monitoring

ZR-V VTi LX and above obtain a surround-view digital camera.

To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparison tool

How a lot does the Honda ZR-V value to run?

Honda backs its ZR-V vary with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, and servicing is required each 12 months or 10,000km – whichever comes first.

The Japanese model additionally provides a ‘Honda Lengthen’ program, by which homeowners can prolong their automobile’s guarantee by as much as three years in the event that they service usually at a Honda Service Centre.

An extra three years of roadside help is offered below the identical situations.

To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparison tool

CarExpert’s Tackle the Honda ZR-V

The mid-size SUV section is very aggressive, and this top-spec ZR-V simply doesn’t have a super-strength to set it aside from the remaining.

Don’t get me flawed, it’s trendy, comfy, environment friendly, nice to drive, and low-cost to run, however not more than different gamers within the $55,000 ballpark.

I discover the up to date Nissan Qashqai to be extra fancy, and the repute of Toyota hybrids for effectivity is unparalleled. If you wish to save on gasoline, there are additionally loads of electrical options at this worth level.

One other vital benefit that rivals just like the Qashqai and Toyota RAV4 have over the ZR-V is practicality. At a pinch, each options can function household automobiles, however the Honda can’t.

Its boot is just too small, and the second row of seating isn’t notably pleasant to taller passengers.

So, what you’re getting for $55k is a sub-premium, smallish mid-size SUV. It’s a troublesome price ticket to justify, particularly when you will get right into a ZR-V for as little as $37,900 earlier than on-road prices.

The bottom VTi X+ makes much more sense as a metropolis runabout, particularly when you think about it’s comparatively environment friendly for a turbo-petrol with out hybrid help.

If solely you can pair the bottom trim with a hybrid powertrain…

Enthusiastic about shopping for a Honda ZR-V? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers here

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MORE: Everything Honda ZR-V