The Honda ZR-V Fills a Gap Between Two Other Hondas That Nobody Was Asking About
All three reviews can't quite shake the same question: slotting between the HR-V and CR-V made sense on a spreadsheet, but reviewers keep wondering whether this genuinely well-executed SUV needed to exist as a separate model at all.
A Civic in a Slightly Taller Coat
Basing a new SUV on an already-excellent hatchback is usually a safe bet. Reviewers keep confirming the ZR-V inherits real strengths from the Civic underneath — while questioning whether buyers wouldn't simply be better off with the cheaper hatchback itself.
Specs at a Glance
| Body style | Mid-size SUV, between the HR-V and CR-V |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L e:HEV self-charging hybrid (181bhp) |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive only |
| Official economy | Just under 50mpg |
| Euro NCAP rating | 4 stars |
Full Review Summary
Top Gear
Top Gear rated the ZR-V as a "fairly plain crossover" that begs the question of why Honda went so bold with a design that ultimately doesn't quite land, describing the entry Elegance trim's front end unfavourably. They measured 44.4mpg during a week's UK testing, close to Honda's claimed figure, and concluded the impressive hybrid powertrain is better experienced in the Civic itself rather than "messing about with a heavier, uglier SUV."
Autocar
Autocar praised the ZR-V's simplicity of operation and mature, classically Honda character as a genuine point of difference against more conventional rivals like the Hyundai Tucson and VW Tiguan. They found the car doesn't deliver a decisive advantage over its opposition despite genuine comfort and efficiency strengths, concluding it's a decent but not decisively convincing alternative choice in a crowded class.
What Car?
What Car? measured the hybrid's 0-60mph at around 7.5 seconds, rating it less lethargic than the Renault Austral thanks to instant electric-motor response, though found the small 1.05kWh battery means the engine kicks in more often around town than in rivals with bigger batteries, like the Austral. They rated the low driving position as likely to disappoint SUV buyers wanting a commanding view, and flagged the modest 750kg towing capacity as trailing hybrid rivals like the Ford Kuga and Hyundai Tucson.
Strengths
- Genuinely smooth, efficient hybrid powertrain inherited from the Civic
- Comfortable ride with well-controlled body lean
- High-quality interior with durable materials
- Strong reliability reputation given its Civic-derived mechanicals
Weak points
- Boot space is smaller than the Civic hatchback it's based on
- No plug-in hybrid option, unlike several rivals
- Modest towing capacity for the class
- Priced higher than several hybrid rivals with similar equipment
Who It Actually Suits
Buyers who specifically want a slightly taller, more SUV-styled Civic and don't mind paying a premium for the raised body. Every review agrees the standard Civic hatchback offers the same excellent hybrid powertrain for meaningfully less money if outright value matters more to you.