Stylish hybrid highlights Honda know-how
Honda has plenty of know-how when it comes to understanding what its customers need. The ubiquitous Civic is Honda's best-selling model and one of the world's best-selling cars.
Then it should come as no surprise that its new Z-RV is based on the Civic. It looks nothing like it, however, with a bold SUV styling gamble from Honda.
It is a smart SUV in its own right, bridging the gap, says Honda, between the HR-V and CR-V, with a distinctive design to the front end with deep black grille flanked by sleek headlamps while the rear end features a full-width lightbar.
The smart alloys and panoramic roof on this model round off an impressive road presence. It comes in three specifications, Elegance, Sport and Advance and none are cheap, with the prices ranging from £39,505 to £42,910.
Impressive outside, it's even more impressive inside the roomy cabin area which has a premium feel to fixtures and fittings. The brains of the car is the nine-inch screen at the centre of the wraparound-style dashboard. This controls infotainment and connectivity via Android and Apple phones, while a 10-inch driver display delivers real time driver information.
This model also features a high-end Bose system with 12 speakers and includes USB-C and USB-A ports in the front and rear, wireless charging and a head-up display.
It ticks many of the same boxes as the Civic, sharing the technology of the efficient hybrid engine which at times, because it is so quiet, sounds more like a full EV. A heated multi-function three-spoke steering wheel includes controls for audio, phone, and cruise settings and has paddle shifters for regenerative braking and better economy
The petrol power unit is mated with two electric motors and linked to the battery. At low speeds it runs on electric power with zero tailpipe emissions. Depress the pedal a bit more and the petrol engine hybrid mode kicks in to deliver power to the battery and the motors.
At motorway, speeds the system will shift to engine power, assisted by the motors when necessary, delivering a maximum power of 184PS.
In addition, there are four driving modes: ‘Normal’, ‘Sport’, ‘Eco’, and ‘Snow’.
Official economy is a decent 48.7mpg, with my driving hovering around 50mpg. Steady driving can extend this further.
The ride is comfortable enough on decent roads, but, like many SUVs, can be affected and become fidgety on lesser surfaces. On the road it delivers rapid performance with the hybrid combination pushing the car to 60mph in a smidge under eight seconds.
An SUV needs to be practical and this model is no exception. The luggage area is accessed by a powered boot lid on the top two models and offers 370 litres.
It's not the roomiest in Its class, but increases to a more practical 1,291 litres when the rear seats are down.
Safety systems are comprehensive via Honda's own SENSING technology and as well as the usual airbag array, stability and traction controls, other features include: a collision mitigation braking system; road departure alert; traffic jam warning, driver alertness monitor and adaptive driving beam.
A bit pricey, but an economical and practical vehicle with the back up of Honda's renowned reliability.
Factfile
Honda ZR-V Advance
Price: £42,910
Mechanical: 184bhp, 1,993cc, four cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors driven via automatic transmission
Max speed: 107mph
0-62mph: 8 seconds
Combined mpg: 48.7
Insurance group: 35
CO2 emissions: 132g/km
BiK rating: 31%
Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles
