2026 Honda ZR-V e:HEV LX review

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The Honda ZR-V is a premium-pitched mid-size SUV alternative to the prolific Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage, with its high-end tilt seeing it match up roughly on price to the much older Mazda CX-5.

In 2023, the new five-door, five seat ZR-V was introduced as Honda’s latest nameplate, with the flagship LX variant we’re testing here being the only model grade to offer a hybrid powertrain until he planned an update later in 2026.

While it’s a mix of petrol engines, it’s also available but the hybrid ZR-V mixes best fuel economy in the lineup with the most comprehensive equipment list to make it – on paper terms believable.

The ZR-V was the second most popular Honda in the Australian range in 2024 after the CR-V, and the Japanese brand’s third most popular model in 2025 behind its other two SUVs – the smaller HR-V and larger CR-V – so should Honda’s number-three best-seller be your number one?

How much does the Honda ZR-V cost?

The ZR-V eHEV, meaning ‘electric’ Hybrid Electric Vehicle – is available only in this LX flagship at $54,900 before on-road costs but even pearlescent paint.

| Model | Drive-away price |
| — | — |
| 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-V e:HEV LX | $54,900 |

The list price of the purely petrol-powered LX is $5900 more than that of top-spec front-wheel drive version of new RAV4 Cruiser – with a 2nd wheel model. Packed with a 5-litre HEV setup – $56,990 before on-roads.

While nearly $55k isn’t the price tag for a smallish front-drive mid-size SUV, the new RAV4 Cruiser all-wheel drive (something no ZR-V) is even more expensive at $60,340 plus on-roads.

Our test car is finished with Nordic Forest (which has been added to the colour palette in 2025) and the bright Premium Crystal Blue Metallic paintwork for the MY24 ZR-V eHEV LX was discontinued.

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What is the Honda ZR-V like on the inside?

A. premium, well thought-out interior of the Honda ZR-V LX has soft but supportive leather-upholstered seats with an organic, soft curves rather than straight lines and adding some welcome style to its design as it is designed by natural, gentle curving backwards (along with traditional classically defined “theore”).

We have a test car’s dark cabin colour – the only interior – which includes subtle grey stitching on the doors, dash and centre console where there is ‘floated’ section under it to stowage in addition to the generously deep, conventionally placed central storage bin.

A Gear Selector – with its push-buttons integrated instead of a physical shift mechanism is metal, not plastic and has tactile buttons for the air-conditioning.

Further enhancing the interior design are thick, steering column-mounted stalks for the headlights, indicators and windscreen wipers that are strong but have a soft-edged, premium action.

The steering wheel rim is very thick and has a great leather wrap, so it feels solid but not like you’re driving with mitts on; the size of the car sits perfectly well in position for lots of rake and reach adjustment.

Among other things, it has audio and cruise control buttons (such as a placement of the steering wheel heating button on the lower part of central spoke) which is placed naffally with its own vehicle.

The front driver’s seat has two memory settings for its electric adjustment – height, which is not available from the front passenger’ power seat – including height.

Paraphrasing The 10. The ZR-V grades, including advanced driver assist system (ADAS) functions like lane-centring and 2-inch digital instrument cluster, are crisp with the basics; however, this hybrid also displays when electric power is being used.

It also changes colour to indicate which of the three driving modes you’re in, but ZR-V’s instruments are not as customised for some rivals – and there is no head-up display.

There’s another ‘hard-pressed’ knob for sound under the central touchscreen on the plus side, as well as steering wheel controls – and even on driver’.

Media 9. 0-inch, noticeably small touchscreens than the touchscreen in some of the ZR-V’s competitors (including the RAV4 at least 10) and other NAV4. – 5-inch) and CX-5 (10. A dedicated power source meter, with the range and efficiency of Powertrains, is 2-inch), and has a dedicated energy source (powertrain) metre.

Although it is easy to use, the graphics of the touchscreen are perhaps a little basic as compared to that in the rest of this cabin’s sophistication and the ZR-V’s otherwise understated elegance and confidence overall.

Wireless smartphone connectivity, plus wireless charging – which worked every time – for one phone under the dash.

LOTS of front headroom, and while the ZR-V’s cabin isn’t the widest, it’re far from cramped. A tad less headroom is in the second row of s – and again, three adults would be squeezed – but two adults are easily fit into the back.

A rear air vents are also available on the back of the centre console – and two USB-C ports (plus a centre armrest with cupholders), and four speakers.

The second row has three top-tether points and a pair of ISOFIX anchors for child seats, the cargo area is two-tier floor – but no spare wheel.

This 370L (1302L) is expandable to 1302 L with the second-row seatbacks folded down, as it loses 10 litres of boot space in comparison to petrol only ZR-Vs. The RAV4 (580L/1690L), CX-5 (506 L/1620L) and Nissan Qashqai (452L/1518L).

| Dimensions | VTi X+, VTi L+ | VTi LX, e:HEV LX |
| — | — | — |
| Length | 4568mm | 4568mm |
| Width | 1840mm | 1840mm |
| Height | 1620mm | 1620mm |
| Wheelbase | 2655mm | 2655mm |
| Cargo capacity | 380L (rear seats up, incl. under-floor storage) 1312L (rear seats down, measured to roof) 876L (rear seats down, measured to window) | 370L (rear seats up, incl. under-floor storage) 1302L (rear seats down, measured to roof) 866L (rear seats down, measured to window) |

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What’s under the bonnet?

Among the ZR-V lineup’s most powerful and fuel-efficient members is the “ZR–V eHEV”, which has a hybrid system consisting of 2 (an 8th, or 2nd) model. A pair of electric motors produce 135kW of power and 315Nm of torque, a combination of 0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and an electronic continuously variable automatic transmission (eCVT) with the output being produced by two electric engines.

| Specifications | ZR-V petrol | ZR-V hybrid |
| — | — | — |
| Engine | 1.5L 4cyl turbo-petrol | 2.0L 4cyl petrol-electric |
| Total outputs | 131kW 240Nm | 135kW 315Nm |
| Transmission | CVT | e-CVT |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Weight (kerb) | 1470-1510kg | 1586kg |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 7.0L/100km (VTi X+) 7.2L/100km (VTi L+, VTi LX) | 5.0L/100km |
| Fuel economy (as tested) | N/A | 5.4L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 57L | 57L |
| Fuel requirement | 91-octane regular unleaded | 91-octane regular unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 171.7g/km (VTi X+) 175g/km (VTi L+, VTi LX) | 115.2g/km |
| Emissions standard | Euro 6b | Euro 6b |

This is the heaviest ZR-V, too, as it weighs 76kg more than the petrol-electric powertrain’s equivalent ZRR-VTi LX (a weight of 1586kg) and similarly equipped non-hybrid Zr- V.

Fuel consumption 5 Combined fuels per . Its 0L/100km is just over the 4 RAV4 has ever been, and this is slightly above the ’s 4, i.e ‘It was an attempt to get rid of my fear that I would be more likely to have died in one year than it did when I am trying to do so at least once? A 7L/100km but significantly less than petrol-only ZR-V variants, which consume between 7 and 10 litres (70 km) of petrol. 0 and 7 . A model grade is 2L/100km.

It also gives the ZR-V e:HEV a theoretical range of 1140km from its 57-litre petrol tank.

We walked out of the ZR-V in real life, mostly in Normal mode around town; this allows the vehicle to determine whether petrol or electric power was best for any given application and saw 5 (assumed) at least. With it, 4L/100km was our time with .

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How does the Honda ZR-V drive?

The ZR-V, who is a driver’s seat star performer – lives up to traditional Honda expectations by being like ‘an engineered premium SUV with an all-new car in mind.

A leather-trimmed driver’s seat is well equipped with electric adjustments – and two memory settings and plenty of steering column adjustment means you can find the right position for the leather wrapped steering wheel, which is ideal size, thickness and feel.

FULLER – ZR–V drivers might be thinking the seats are narrow for a tad, as we were sitting partly on the side bolsters – but they’re not awkward and could even do with more support.

Apart from the Dash-mounted starter button, push-buttons on the centre console to select Drive – with a green light band around it’s ready plus an odd switch to choose Reverse and more buttons for Neutral and Park.

A smooth, EV-based hybrid powertrain that is well balanced in traffic and offers a responsive throttle – it’s great for the car but its sharpness is good enough to allow small movements when parking.

EV mode is switched between the two modes of – indicated by a green ‘EV’ light on the crisp digital instrument cluster – and petrol engine propulsion is near-seamless, and the 2 are an electric motor. When you stab the accelerator pedal, it is quiet and unobtrusive whir of 0-litre engine before reaching for a characterful but raspy note when you push the brake.

The steering wheel’s metal paddles change brake regeneration levels to help top up the battery, and you can also switch out the default Normal drive mode for either Eco or Sport – although neither offers drastic changes in driving experience.

And it’s no blunder, that’s not bad because the ZR-V absolutely does what is right from behind the wheel. Smooth powertrain The’very good and efficient, which is delivered through the front wheel (mostly unfunny) – it has crisp, accurate steering.

Its suspension, whose underpinnings are independent rear-end thanks to the excellent Civic – gives you a comfortable ride on the alloys of 18 inches and isolates bumps superbly without soggy or overly soft?

This is the case for body control, where a great chassis package that settles quickly around corners and gives plenty oflateral grip from its Bridgestone tyres.

Shockly good Push the ZR-V out of its comfort zone and it’s still shockingly amazing. But the step up in ride height has not diluted its cornering prowess, which is again borrowed from the Civic, and delivered class-leading poise and road holding.

That’s something you can’t say of too many SUVs except if you get off the line and that is unflappable, just great to drive.

When it is on the freeway, its smoothness and refinement comes to the fore easy-to-use adaptive cruise control, good all-round vision (and a driver assistance suite that’s generally not too intrusive)

We did not actually put the ZR-V in the middle of its lane, sitting it slightly to one side (not really a big problem), but that meant we had to check whether the system was on.

ZR-V is a very well-crafted, highly polished, perfectly poised and extremely well engineered SUV– there’s no sloppiness or vagueness in its ride/handling package – that shows refreshing balance and behaviour in all manner of road conditions.

The ZR-V is a revelation for comparatively small SUV in fact – it drives like the premium product it’s pitched as.

To see how the Honda ZR-V lines up against the competition, check out our
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What do you get?

The e:HEV LX sits at the top of a four-grade ZR-V lineup in 2026, with a suitably generous equipment list.

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2026 Honda ZR-V VTi X highlights:

• Adaptive LED headlights
• Active cornering lights
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Hill descent control
• 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay
• Wired Android Auto
• 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster
• 8-speaker sound system
• Black fabric upholstery
• Dual-zone climate control
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shifter
• Upholstered centre console with French stitching
• Front USB ports (1 x USB-A and 1 x USB-C)
• Rear USB ports (2 x USB-C)
• Rear air vents
• Space-saver spare wheel
• 60/40-split, folding rear seats

ZR-V VTi L adds:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Heated exterior mirrors
• Hands-free power tailgate with walk-away closing
• Rear privacy glass
• Combination LED tail-lights
• Black leatherette upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Metal paddle shifters
• LED ambient lighting (roof)

ZR-V VTi LX adds:

• 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels
• Body-coloured lower bumpers and wheel arches
• Selectable drive modes (Sport, Normal, Economy)
• 12-speaker Bose sound system
• Wireless phone charger
• Satellite navigation
• Black leather upholstery
• Eight-way power driver’s seat with memory
• Four-way power front passenger seat
• Heated rear seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Sports pedals
• ‘Door Line Illumination’
• Auto-tilting mirrors in reverse
• Plasmacluster air purification system

ZR-V e:HEV LX adds:

• Smart key card
• Shift-by-wire gear selector
• Tyre repair kit (in lieu of a space-saver spare)
• Humidity sensor

To see how the Honda ZR-V lines up against the competition, check out our
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Is the Honda ZR-V safe?

The Honda ZR-V was awarded a four-star (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) safety rating in 2023, valid until 2029.

The ZR-V lost points by not having rear cross-traffic alert available in any model grade, preventing a five-star rating.

| Category | Honda ZR-V |
| — | — |
| Adult occupant protection | 79 per cent |
| Child occupant protection | 88 per cent |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 81 per cent |
| Safety assist | 68 per cent |

Standard safety equipment includes:

• AEB incl. pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow
• Driver attention monitoring
• Traffic Jam Assist
• Lane keep assist
• Traffic sign recognition
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• 11 airbags

• Dual front, knee airbags
• Centre airbag
• Front and rear side airbags
• Full-length curtain airbags

ZR-Vs have side and curtain airbags for both rows, dual front air bags, a front-centre air bag (and ‘an driver’s knee air Bag) and two rear-airbag with dual Front Airbag in all of the Zr- Vs.

To see how the Honda ZR-V lines up against the competition, check out our
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How much does the Honda ZR-V cost to run?

Honda offers a five-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle and battery warranty, and five years of roadside assistance.

| Servicing and Warranty | Honda ZR-V e:HEV LX |
| — | — |
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometres – vehicle and high-voltage battery |
| Roadside assistance | 5 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 10,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years |
| Average annual service cost | $378.80 |
| Total capped-price service cost | $1894 |

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childcareman.xyz’s take on the Honda ZR-V e:HEV LX

This is a good overall package, with quality fit and finish combined with ‘high list of standard equipments including super-efficient well-mannered hybrid powertrain and class-leading driving dynamics.

Few foibles exist, such as the exterior design that attracts mixed reactions, a slightly small boot, relatively compact touchscreen and ANCAP safety rating which may be an attractive feature for some of its appeal to some.

But enter in the driver’s seat, and it handles so well like using a surgeon’s scalpel to feed an steak; many of its competitors proffer blunt plastic cutlery.

It’s cheaper than , of course, but there are alternatives that feel less. But if you want to drive in an SUV that’s efficient, well-regarded and brilliantly executed There’re no doubt there’a really good value for going up to the ZR-V eHEV.

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