The ZR-V is the latest model in Hondas We’re in the Australian model range and are preparing to spend three months behind the wheel of the flagship e:HEV LX variant of the mid-size SUV range.
It may not be the first model that comes to mind when you think of Honda, but the ZR-V has proven to be a quiet performer in the Japanese brand’s relatively small local model range.
It regularly posts strong sales compared to its smaller HR-V and larger CR-V siblings, and in November 2025 it even outperformed those two SUVs to become Honda Australia’s best-selling model that month.
Those are good prospects for a small-bodied SUV, especially one that competes against giants like the Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5 in Australia’s booming midsize SUV category. However, the sales figures related to these cars do not look particularly impressive.
Nevertheless, we accepted an extended loan (beyond the regular seven-day press test) of a top model 2026 Honda ZR-Ve:HEV LXwith the intention of giving you a more detailed idea of what it’s like to live with.
Of course, we have tested many ZR-Vs in the past, but never for more than a week at a time. This should at least give us a taste of what the first few months of owning a ZR-V might look like if you decide to pull the trigger, particularly by uncovering defects that don’t typically show up on our regular short-term loans.
Our tester is the only hybrid ZR-V currently sold in Australia, although it is also available with an e:HEV powertrain alongside the rest of the Honda Australia range.
I will be the primary driver in this test, meaning I can provide context for daily long-distance commuting, regular errands around town, multiple trips to the airport, and numerous trips to the countryside. I will also include feedback from colleagues who inevitably borrow the keys from time to time.
So stay tuned in the coming months to see how this long-term report turns out.
How much does the Honda ZR-V cost?
For the next few months we’ll be behind the wheel of the range-topping ZR-V e:HEV LX, which has a drive-away price of $54,900… yikes.
| Model | Drive-away prices |
|---|---|
| 2026 Honda ZR-V VTi X+ | $37,900 |
| 2026 Honda ZR-V VTi L+ | $43,400 |
| 2026 Honda ZR-V VTi LX | $49,000 |
| 2026 Honda ZR-Ve:HEV LX | $54,900 |
The pricing of the e:HEV LX provides an interesting context for this review. Priced at nearly $55,000, it’s in a similar league to larger (and more popular) SUVs, so I’ll keep that in mind.
These models include the all-wheel drive Toyota RAV4. Both are larger, but both are in the same market segment as our ZR-V.
In the midsize SUV segment, there are of course several newer competitors from China, including the electric BYD Atto 3 and the MG HS, both of which have outperformed the ZR-V so far in 2025 – albeit by narrow margins.
To see how the Honda ZR-V compares to the competition, use our Comparison tool
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What’s under the hood?
The only hybrid ZR-V is powered by a 2.0-liter non-turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor. The system’s peak performance is given as 135 kW of power and 315 Nm of torque.
| Specifications | Honda ZR-Ve-Ve:HEV LX |
|---|---|
| Motor | 2.0L 4-cylinder hybrid without turbocharger |
| Engine performance | 104 kW/186 Nm |
| Peak performance of the electric motor | – |
| Peak system performance | 135 kW/315 Nm |
| battery | Li-ion |
| transmission | E-CVT |
| Drive type | Front wheel drive |
| Curb weight | 1586kg |
| Fuel consumption (claimed) | 5.0L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 57L |
| Fuel requirements | Regular unleaded gasoline with 91 octane |
| CO2 emissions | 114g/km |
| Emissions standard | 6 billion euros |
| Braked towing capacity | 750kg |
It’s worth noting that Honda doesn’t specify battery capacity for the ZR-V e:HEV, but it’s said to be around 1.1 kWh. The term “e-CVT” also stands for “Electric Continuously Variable Transmission”.
This introductory part isn’t about the interior or driving impressions, but we’ve listed the ZR-V’s dimensions below for your reference.
| Dimensions | Honda ZR-Ve-Ve:HEV LX |
|---|---|
| length | 4568mm |
| Width | 1840mm |
| Height | 1620mm |
| wheelbase | 2655mm |
| Loading capacity | 370L (rear seats folded up) 1302L (rear seats folded down) |
To see how the Honda ZR-V compares to the competition, use our Comparison tool
What do you get?
The ZR-V range includes four variants, with the e:HEV LX at the top.
Equipment highlights of the Honda ZR-V VTi X+ 2025:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Space-saving spare part
- LED headlights
- Adaptive high beam
- Active cornering lights
- Twilight detection
- Windshield wipers with rain sensors
- Electrically folding exterior mirrors
- Hill descent control
- Electric parking brake with automatic holding function
- Proximity access with push button start
- 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay
- Wired Android Auto
- DAB+ digital radio
- 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster
- 8 speaker sound system
- Dual zone climate control
- Rear vents
- Leather-covered steering wheel
- Tilt and telescopic adjustment of the steering column
- Fabric upholstery
- LED map lighting
- 5-year Honda Connect subscription
ZR-V VTi L+ adds:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Hands-free power tailgate with walk-away closure
- Heated exterior mirrors
- LED ambient lighting
- Faux leather and fabric upholstery
- Heated front seats
- Shift paddles
ZR-V VTi LX adds:
- 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels
- Bumpers and wheel arches in body color
- Selectable driving modes
- Wireless phone charger
- Heated steering wheel
- Leather upholstery
- Satellite navigation
- Bose sound system with 12 speakers
- 8-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat
- 4-way electrically adjustable passenger seat
- Heated rear seats
- Plasmacluster air purification system
LX LX adds:
- Hybrid powertrain
- Tire repair kit (replaces the space-saving spare wheel)
- Smart KeyCard
To see how the Honda ZR-V compares to the competition, use our Comparison tool
Is the Honda ZR-V safe?
All Honda ZR-V variants have a four-star ANCAP safety rating, based on tests carried out on hybrid models by sister organization Euro NCAP in 2023.
| category | Honda ZR-V |
|---|---|
| Protection for adults | 79 percent |
| Passenger protection for children | 88 percent |
| Protection of vulnerable road users | 81 percent |
| Security assistant | 68 percent |
Standard safety equipment includes:
- 11 airbags, including:
- Double front and knee airbags
- Center airbag
- Side airbags front and rear
- Full-length head airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Pedestrian detection
- Cyclist detection
- Adaptive cruise control with low speed following
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rear cross traffic warning
- Monitoring driver attention
- Lane keeping assistant
- Traffic jam assistant
- Traffic sign recognition
- Parking sensors front and rear
- Tire pressure monitoring
ZR-V VTi LX and above get a surround-view camera.
To see how the Honda ZR-V compares to the competition, use our Comparison tool
How much does the Honda ZR-V cost to run?
Honda Australia offers a five-year, unlimited kilometer warranty on the ZR-V range and servicing is required every 12 months or 10,000km – whichever comes first.
| Maintenance and warranty | Honda ZR-Ve-Ve:HEV LX |
|---|---|
| guarantee | 5 years, unlimited kilometers |
| Roadside assistance | 5 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 10,000 km |
| Service at top prices | 5 years ($199 each) |
| Total service costs at the maximum price | $995 |
To see how the Honda ZR-V compares to the competition, use our Comparison tool
CarExperts interpretation of the Honda ZR-V e:HEV LX
At first glance, it’s impossible to be disappointed with this ZR-V.
Several friends and family members have commented on how “nice” the car is inside, and things like the metal paddle shifters behind the steering wheel made me think the same thing. I’ve always liked the way this Civic-based SUV is designed, and it’s exceptionally easy to get into and feel at home.
Positive comments about the car’s interior quality naturally led to questions about price, and unfortunately most passengers estimated a low-to-mid price range of $40,000. That could be something that influences our judgment on this particular ZR-V, because $54,900 is a lot of money even if there’s nothing more to pay.
Still, we’re impressed with the perceived build and material quality of the first few doors, as everything feels exceptionally sturdy. The ventilation slots move confidently, the touchscreen is responsive and graphically pleasant despite its small size, and there are no significant rattling or squeaking noises.
Additionally, it only takes a moment to connect your phone to wireless Apple CarPlay, and when I get in and out of the ZR-V during the first few days of our rental, my phone connects quickly and consistently with very little wait time.
The power seat adjustment also allows for easy adjustments on the go, which I had to take full advantage of. It took me ages to get the seat just right after fiddling endlessly with everything I could adjust.
The issue was eventually resolved and I made good use of the seat position memory feature to ensure I don’t have to do it again. This feature will undoubtedly prove extremely useful when other team members borrow the car.
Otherwise everything was easy to get used to. Pressing and pressing the various buttons in the cabin quickly reminded me of what each button does, and it’s easy to configure the instrument display to show specific menus and information.
So far, so good. We are looking forward to the next few months when we will have the ZR-V “in our possession”. So stay tuned for our full review in early 2026.
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MORE: Explore the Honda ZR-V showroom
