Honda ZR-V 2024 review
Photo: Matti Blume, via Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Honda ZR-V is the brand's full-hybrid family crossover, slotting between the smaller HR-V and the larger CR-V in the UK line-up. Launched here in 2023, the 2024 model-year car is sold exclusively with Honda's 2.0-litre e:HEV self-charging hybrid powertrain, pitched squarely at the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson and Nissan Qashqai. UK prices started from £39,505 for the entry Elegance, rising to £41,110 for Sport and £42,910 for the range-topping Advance, with no diesel or plug-in option to complicate the range.
The powertrain is the car's centrepiece: a 2.0-litre petrol engine working with two electric motors and a small 1.04kWh battery, producing a combined 184PS and a punchy 315Nm of torque through an eCVT automatic. It behaves more like an EV than a conventional automatic, running silently on electric power around town and shuffling seamlessly between modes. Official WLTP economy is 49.6mpg in Elegance trim (48.7mpg for Sport and Advance) with CO2 of 130–132g/km, while 0–62mph takes between 7.8 and 8.0 seconds depending on trim — brisk for a family crossover.
Equipment levels are generous. Every ZR-V gets Honda SENSING safety kit with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring, a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.2-inch digital instrument display and heated front seats. The cabin is well finished with Honda's usual attention to detail, there is proper room for five adults, and a 380-litre boot (1,291 litres with the 60:40 rear seats folded) is usefully shaped even if it trails the class best. Euro NCAP awarded four stars in 2023 testing.
The ZR-V's biggest challenge is its price. At roughly £39,500 to start, it undercuts premium rivals but asks noticeably more than the Sportage and Qashqai it competes against, and its 380-litre boot is well short of theirs. But for buyers who prioritise refinement, Honda's strong reliability record and a hybrid system that genuinely delivers in real-world driving, the ZR-V makes a quietly persuasive case — and like most Hondas, it is expected to hold its value better than average on the used market.
Related reviews: Honda Civic 2024 review · Honda CR V 2024 review · Honda HR V 2024 review
UK price from: £39,505
Specifications
| Engine | 2.0L e:HEV full hybrid (1,993cc petrol + 2 electric motors) |
| Power | 184 PS (181 bhp) combined |
| Torque | 315 Nm (232 lb-ft) |
| 0-62 mph | 7.8 - 8.0 seconds (by trim) |
| Top speed | 108 mph |
| Transmission | eCVT automatic |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Fuel economy | 49.6 mpg combined (WLTP, Elegance) |
| CO2 emissions | 130 g/km (WLTP, Elegance) |
| Boot space | 380 litres seats up; 1,291 litres seats down |
| Dimensions | 4,568 x 1,840 x 1,620 mm (L/W/H); wheelbase 2,657 mm |
| Insurance group | 35E |
| Warranty | 3 years / 90,000 miles |
Features
- 2.0-litre e:HEV full hybrid (1,993cc petrol + 2 electric motors), 184PS and 315Nm combined
- eCVT automatic with front-wheel drive; runs on electric power in town for quiet urban driving
- 49.6mpg WLTP combined (Elegance) with 130–132g/km CO2 and a 57-litre fuel tank
- 7.8–8.0-second 0–62mph sprint with a 108mph top speed
- Honda SENSING suite as standard: adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring
- 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus a 10.2-inch digital display
- Heated front seats, dual-zone climate control and powered tailgate on upper trims
- 380-litre boot (1,291 litres seats folded) with 60:40 split-folding rear seats
- 4-star Euro NCAP safety rating (tested 2023)
Common parts & prices
| Part | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake pads (set) | £54.99 | Pattern part; OEM specification |
| Oil filter | £11.99 | |
| Cabin pollen filter | £18.99 | Activated-carbon type |
| Front wiper blades (pair) | £22.99 | 26in/18in flat blades |
| 12V battery | £99.99 | |
| Engine air filter | £15.99 |
Pros
- A superbly refined hybrid powertrain that feels near-electric around town
- Genuine real-world economy — close to 50mpg is realistic in everyday driving
- Strong predicted residuals thanks to Honda's reliability reputation
- High-quality, well-built cabin with good space for five adults
- Low 35E insurance group across the range keeps premiums reasonable
Cons
- Noticeably more expensive than key rivals like the Sportage and Qashqai
- 380-litre boot is small by class standards — rivals offer around 500 litres
- Only four Euro NCAP stars where most rivals score five
- Handling feels uninspired on country roads and the infotainment can be fiddly
