Honda ZR-V to launch in Australia sooner than expected!

More details have emerged about the vital new Honda ZR-V, ahead of its Australian launch in the first half of next year.

Yep, that’s right. Honda’s answer to the Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, Toyota Corolla Cross and Kia Seltos should go on sale just weeks after its Japanese debut on April 21, 2023 – all things going to plan.

Though Honda Australia has not yet divulged any information about the ZR-V, we understand that the model we’re getting will be based on the Japanese version that’s just been unveiled in its home market, and will also be sourced from there.

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This means it should feature the new bolder front-end design, with its vertical straked grille and reshaped air intake, compared to the North American model that, confusingly, wears the HR-V badge and is built in Mexico.

Note the latter is unrelated to the recently-launched third-generation four-seater-only HR-V sold in Australia.

Speaking of which, the resolutely five-seater ZR-V will slot in comfortably between Honda’s smallest SUV (for now) and the well-established CR-V, which grows significantly in its coming sixth-gen redesign to accommodate the available three-row seven-seater version that will again be offered. That’s happening later in 2023.

This will give the ZR-V breathing space to take on everything from the Seltos to the Subaru Forester, with pricing starting somewhere in the high-$40,000 bracket based on today’s closely-related Civic hatchback series.

Like the latter, it will be offered with two powertrains, leading with a modified version of the 131kW/240Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, driving either the front or all four wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The ZR-V features minimalist dashboard design.

Additionally, expect a version of the 135kW/315Nm 2.0-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine found in this month’s new Civic e:HEV hybrid. Paired to a lithium-ion battery, two electric motors and a CVT, this model is claimed by Honda to offer 3.0-litre V6 levels of performance, and should also be sold in front-drive as well as AWD configurations – a first for this technology in the company’s local vehicle portfolio. That should be one to get excited over.

Whether the ZR-V Hybrid approaches the Civic e:HEV’s 4.2 litres per 100 kilometres remains to be seen, but in the small car’s case, it saves over 2.0L/100km on the combined average cycle.

In Japan, Honda is keen to spruik its new SUV’s relaxed car-like driving position, elegant and minimalist horizontal dashboard design and practical family-friendly packaging, particularly in the rear. However, being Civic-based, it will miss out on the Australian HR-V’s so-called ‘Magic Seats’, as that’s based on the Jazz/Fit supermini that is sadly no longer available here.

The ZR-V will slot in-between the HR-V and CR-V.

Finally, the ZR-V will offer a full suite of safety systems, including autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitor, lane-assist tech and rear cross-traffic alerts. Whether it also follows the Civic e:HEV in Australia with a front-centre airbag to join the front, side and curtain items is not yet known.

Whatever transpires, the ZR-V is Honda’s best chance of reversing falling sales in Australia, which are down 16.4 per cent compared to last year, to a decades-low 12,179 registrations to the end of October.

Walking a fine line between a sleek crossover and practical SUV, while offering advanced hybrid efficiency options as well as strong performance to boot, should give Honda’s next SUV proposition a sturdy foothold in a growing segment in Australia.