Week behind the wheel: Honda ZR-V hybrid SUV
A seven-day stint with the newest model in the Japanese company’s line-up proves enjoyable and enlightening for John Challen.
DAY 1
Most brand-new models that come onto the market these days do seem to be SUV-shaped (see my editorial at the front of this magazine), but, in the case of the ZR-V, there is a lot of sense in its launch. Yes, it’s yet another contender for the C-segment, but the ZR-V slots in neatly between the smaller HR-V and larger CR-V and offers another viable option for fleet buyers who are not fully ready to go electric. First impressions are good when it comes to interior space, quality and all-round functionality. The eldest Challen Jnr approves, which is always a good sign.
DAY 2
It’s true that most people will judge a car on its exterior appearance but, for me, the real test of how ‘good’ a car looks is on the inside. The ZR-V’s infotainment screen and layout is familiar enough from other Honda products to not be a complete surprise, while the mix of physical buttons and touchscreen to control and choose different elements works well.
Elsewhere, there’s a huge and deep centre storage box under the driver’s armrest, which proved perfect for carrying – of all things – a jug of gravy that stayed perfectly in its place when being transported alongside some accompanying meals!
DAY 3
I’m a big fan of innovation, but I also like things to be simple. So, I’m a bit conflicted about the gear selection options in the ZR-V. There are a series of non-uniform buttons that have confused me on more than one occasion (not difficult, some might say). My brain naturally told me that the biggest one – and the one nearest me – should be deployed when parking. Only that’s the drive button, so some emergency braking was required.
I’m sure it’s something that I’ll get used to over the course of the week, but it’s a layout that I’m not used to dealing with, as other manufacturers favour a more traditional lever.
DAY 4
There are three grades in the ZR-V line-up (priced from £39,495): Elegance; Sport and Advance. The base models all have 18-inch wheels front and rear parking sensors, a 9-inch touchscreen and much more, while Sport adds in features including LED lighting, a hands-free power tailgate and wireless charging.
Our test car was the range-topping Elegance (£43,545 OTR), which meant added creature comforts such as an improved Bose audio system, leather seats, larger infotainment screen and head-up display. There’s also heated seats front and back, which keeps driver and passengers happy. Diamond-cut alloys complete the look on the Advance grade.
DAY 5
A chance to put some miles on the clock and get to find out more about the ZR-V’s powertrain today. It’s a 2.0-litre four-cylinder direct-injection Atkinson cycle engine that works with two motors for optimum hybrid operation. While the engine likes to be heard – especially from a start when putting your foot down a bit too eagerly – it also is quite intuitive and will happily and easily switch back to running on battery power.
It’s a similar setup to the popular and impressive Civic hybrid and therefore adopts a mixture of efficiency and performance, depending on driving route and road conditions.
DAY 6
Dynamically, the ZR-V’s chassis has, according to Honda, “been inspired by concepts seen in both the Civic and CR-V platforms and engineered to deliver the driving characteristics… associated with sports hatchbacks”. In reality, the ride is a little firm over some surfaces but, overall, it’s not uncomfortable. The steering is direct and light (but not too light), which made my task today of manoeuvring around cramped car parks that bit easier. No complaints from my passengers, either, which is another brownie point for the Honda.
DAY 7
Overall, a week spent with the Honda ZR-V has seen it tick a lot of boxes and it has proven itself more than a match for the many contenders in this segment. The likes of Nissan’s Qashqai and Kia Sportage might have the heritage of being seen to be trailblazers here, but the quality of the Honda shines through. So much so, that its premium appearance was noticed by everyone who went in it, likened to BMW and Mercedes-Benz levels. The week’s average fuel economy of 47.4mpg came pretty close to the combined figure of 49mpg and the seven days featured plenty of short trips, so acceptable under the circumstances.
John Challen
John previously edited International Fleet World magazine, and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role, having been in automotive journalism for more than 20 years. Over those two decades, he has researched and written about a vast range of automotive topics, including fleet, EVs, engineering, design, retail and the aftermarket.
