Honda ZR-V hybrid SUV confirmed for Australia
Honda will launch yet another rival for the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid mid-2023.
The ZR-V is the first new SUV nameplate from Honda since 1999 and it will sit between the smaller HR-V and larger CR-V in the line-up.
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The HR-V was overhauled in 2022 and includes a hybrid option, while an all-new CR-V is expected as soon as late 2023 and will also include a petrol-electric option.
But while Toyota spreads hybrids throughout its RAV4 line-up and is shifting away from conventional petrol-only ICE drivetrains across its line-up, Honda is restricting its ZR-V hybrid to be the flagship of the range.
While three other models will be powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, only the e:HEV LX will have petrol-electric hybrid propulsion courtesy of a new system combing dual e-motors and a 2.0-litre engine.
In a first for the CR-V in Australia, the sixth generation will also gain the 2.0-litre hybrid drivetrain that could come here in a higher state of tune than in the ZR-V.
Output figures for the ZR-V hybrid are tipped to be around 135kW/315Nm, while official numbers issued for the CR-V claim 152kW/335Nm.
The US version of the new ZR-V measures up at 4567mm long, 1839mm wide and 1610mm tall. The Aussie version, which is expected to be built in Japan will measure up very similarly.
Perhaps a little confusingly, the ZR-V is sold as the HR-V in the USA and under both names by different Honda partners in China.
Standard ZR-V hybrid equipment will include 18-inch alloy wheels, the Honda Sensing suite of technologies including Collison Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Adaptive Cruise Control and Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), a nine-inch Infotainment Display with Android Auto and wireless Apple Car Play, LED headlights with Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB), five-years complimentary Honda Connect Telematic services and front and rear parking sensors.
Honda says ZR-V pricing and full specs will be announced closer to launch.
Despite Honda’s big global battery electric vehicle plans including partnerships with General Motors and Sony, there is no established timeline for Honda to launch a BEV in Australia.
