The all-new Honda ZR-V has arrived in Europe as a Civic-based hybrid crossover to fill the gap between the HR-V and CR-V.
Conceived to rival the Nissan Qashqai, the ZR-V arrives as part of an extensive refresh of Honda's European model line-up. At the same time, the brand has introduced the new e:Ny1 electric crossover and the significantly overhauled, sixth-generation CR-V.
The ZR-V will effectively take the place of the current CR-V in the brand’s European line-up as that model is upsized in its next iteration to better compete with the Skoda Kodiaq and Toyota Highlander.
Read more: Honda ZR-V review
When it lands in dealerships in July, the ZR-V is expected to be priced from around the £40,000 mark - making it a more premium proposition than the Nissan Qashqai E-Power.
Customer deliveries are set to begin towards the end of the year.
Already on sale in the US (where it's badged as the HR-V), the ZR-V has been designed with a focus on attracting younger buyers and as such majors on "sporty and expressive" design cues, enhanced dynamics, practicality and agility.
It will be sold in Europe exclusively as a hybrid, using a 2.0-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors - a set-up familiar from the Civic, with which it shares its platform.
With a combined 181bhp and 232lb ft of torque, this powertrain promises what Honda calls "powerful acceleration comparable to a V6 3.0-litre engine", although final performance figures are yet to be revealed.
It emits 130g/km of CO2 and gets an efficiency rating of 50mpg on the WLTP test cycle.
The ZR-V channels its reserves through an e-CVT to the front axle only, with the US-market four-wheel-drive car confirmed as not being available here.
Join the debate
Add your comment
A great pity not made in the Uk could have been nearer to £30k,the final example just looks a tad boring compared to artists impressions shown
This is about as stylish as a brick because that is what it basically is. The sad part is all they had to do was put the badge in the grill and angle the lights or even curve them up a bit and it would have then at least had a bit of style at the front of it but no it's dull and boring both inside and out. I predict it will be a flop.
The design is non offensive but not stylish enough to stand out in this crowded market, grill looks like a Maserati