Honda ZR-V for Europe: hybrid medium

More than a year ago we already wrote that Honda would come up with three new models in 2023. The day ‘that you knew would come’ is finally here, because today the Japanese are launching those three models simultaneously for the European market. As you read this, you will also find information elsewhere on AutoWeek.nl about the other two models, the electric Honda e:Ny1 and the larger Honda CR-V.

Not all information, by the way, because at the time of writing not everything is known about the three new SUVs. What we do know is that in all three cases these are not real world firsts. Honda previously presented the new CR-V, the e:Ny1 and this ZR-V for other markets, although the latter is confusingly called HR-V in the US. It is emphatically not. Honda solves two problems with one stone with this car: in the US it has a model below the CR-V, but not as small as ‘our’ HR-V, while the same car is available in Europe as the ZR-V, among others. can fill the gap between the two existing SUVs.

The ZR-V thus has the role here that the Corolla Cross plays at competitor Toyota, or the T-Roc at Volkswagen. A real in-between buddy, although it is welcome due to the considerably grown CR-V. The Honda ZR-V is 4.57 meters long, 1.84 meters wide and 1.62 meters high. This makes it the same height as that Corolla Cross, but also wider and especially longer, namely about 11 centimeters. The wheelbase of 2.66 meters is remarkably shorter than that of the Civic, which has 2.74 meters between the two axles.

Bold instead of tight

The ZR-V differs substantially from the other modern Hondas, the Civic and the HR-V. They have a sleek front with a grille that is optically connected to the headlights, while the ZR-V has a fairly convex front with a strikingly rounded and low-positioned grille. This front is available in two variants: the white car shows the standard front with vertical bars in the grille, the blue one is more sporty.

The rear is also fairly rounded, with taillights reminiscent of the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports. With the bank flat you can store a market-based 1,291 liters behind that cover, the value with the bank up is not yet known. The designers also opted for a more rounded style for the interior than in other Hondas, although the family connection with the Civic in particular is immediately clear. Striking is the ‘bridge’ between the front seats, which makes it possible to place loose items under the partition.

Under the skin there are also many similarities with that Civic. For example, in the ZR-V there is only one powertrain available in Europe, the e:HEV. It is always a full-fledged hybrid with a two-liter four-cylinder petrol engine, a stepless transmission and a system power of 184 hp. We don’t yet know what that will mean in terms of consumption, sprint times and top speeds, that information will follow at a later stage.