All-rounder: Honda ZR-V
A colleague asked me, “Is that a Maserati you’re driving this week?”
When I said it was the new Honda ZR-V, he was genuinely surprised.
Honda hasn’t been openly mistaken for a piece of Italian automotive exotica since the NSX.
The ZR-V is Honda’s latest compact crossover SUV. It’s not a bad looker either, and available now with a start price of $47,000 for the entry level Turbo petrol. My test car was the flagship ZR-V Sport with a 2.0L E: HEV four cylinder engine and two motor electric hybrid
set up.
Inside you get a cabin of modern simplicity, and the seats offer a great deal of comfort and lateral support. There is plenty of standard kit, including a 10.2-inch digital infotainment system, wireless charging, heated seats, sat nav, power tailgate, 360-degree reversing camera, and a full Honda Sensing Suite of safety features.
The ZR-V Sport is actually a more entertaining drive than I was expecting. There is a strong delivery of power and torque low down, and I was even able to average 6.5L/100km after varying levels of driving exuberance. Steering is direct and the level of ride comfort is decent too.
Basically, the new ZR-V is one heck of an all-rounder and well worth your time.
FACT FILE
2023 Honda
ZR-V Sport
Price: $55,000 (e:HEV)
engine: 2.0L e:HEV Four Cylinder Petrol with Two Motor Hybrid
transmission: 7-speed EVCT
Petrol Max Power: 104kW
Electric Max Power: 135kW
Petrol Max Torque: 182Nm
Electric Max Torque: 315Nm
Combined Fuel Consumption: 5.5L/100km
Unbraked Towing Capacity: 750kg
Wheels: 18-inch alloy
