Honda has come under fire with a few of its latest cars for not offering a properly reasonably priced base model.
That’s not an accusation you can level at the bottom 2023 Honda ZR-V VTi X on test here. With a drive-away price just over $40,000 it’s competitively priced, and a fast scan of its equipment list reveals you don’t miss out on much.
It sits between the small HR-V, which is simply a four-seater, and the larger recent CR-V. And, it goes head-to-head with top-end versions of the Kia Seltos and Toyota Corolla Cross, and low-end versions of the Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5 in Australia.
Confused? Consider it as an SUV designed to be sufficiently small that it’s friendly in the town, but with enough space for small kids and all of the junk that comes with them. Under the skin, lots of the ZR-V package has been adapted from the Civic hatchback.
Is there a catch with the entry-level ZR-V, or has Honda nailed the bottom model formula?
How much does the Honda ZR-V VTi X cost?
There’s no room for negotiation in Honda’s recent business model, what you see listed below is the drive-away price at every Honda Centre in Australia.
Our entry-level VTi X will set you back $40,200 drive-away, undercutting the subsequent model within the range by $3000.
It lines up against the Kia Seltos Sport+ ($35,800) and the Mazda CX-5 G20 Maxx ($36,110). It also takes on the Toyota Corolla Cross GXL 2WD ($37,730) and the Nissan Qashqai ST+ ($37,890).
2023 Honda ZR-V pricing:
- 2023 Honda ZR-V VTi X: $40,200
- 2023 Honda ZR-V VTi L: $43,200
- 2023 Honda ZR-V VTi LX: $48,500
- 2023 Honda ZR-V e:HEV LX: $54,900
All prices are drive-away
What’s the Honda ZR-V VTi X like on the within?
The bottom ZR-V is a bit darker than the high-end hybrid we drove recently, and it lacks among the soft-touch finishes, however the strong fundamentals remain.
The motive force and front passenger sit in generously padded cloth seats with loads of adjustment for tall drivers, and vision out is pretty good. The seats drop down nice and low to accommodate taller drivers, but anyone chasing a classic ‘commanding’ SUV driving position won’t struggle to attain that.
Much of what you touch and have a look at feels high-quality. The steering wheel is wrapped in soft leather, the elbow rests are generously padded, and the buttons and dials for the climate control make a satisfying click whenever you use them.
Some base models feel designed to scold you for not spending more cash on a pricier option by making elbow rests or the steering wheel unyielding; Honda isn’t quite so punitive.
Space for storing is superb. There’s a wireless phone-sized slow under the dashboard, dual cupholders under the dash, and a giant, flat space under the transmission tunnel with two USB ports. The bin beneath the central armrest is very large, too.
Honda’s latest infotainment system is modern to take a look at, with crisp graphics and easy, slick menus. The maps finally appear to be an OEM product fairly than an aftermarket system, although the wireless smartphone mirroring means you possibly can easily sidestep the inbuilt software anyway.
Even the reversing camera is sharp and vivid, unlike the foggy unit from the last automotive. Over-the-air updates mean the system may be updated throughout its life, too.
The easy driver’s display is clean and straightforward to grasp on the move, but lacks the functionality on offer in Volkswagen Group products. You possibly can’t get live mapping, for instance.
Rear seat space is solid given the ZR-V isn’t quite as big as a RAV4 or CR-V. The massive doors open nice and wide, making it easier for adults to climb in – or for adults to load kids in – and legroom behind taller drivers is decent for adults.
Dual USB-C ports and air vents are available, as is a fold-down central armrest. ISOFIX points feature on the outboard rear seats, and in contrast to the four-seat HR-V, the ZR-V has three top-tether points.
The center top-tether is a ceiling-mounted one though, and the middle-rear seatbelt is ceiling mounted, fairly than integrated into the seat.
Although the outboard rear seats are nicely scalloped, any middle seat occupants might be left high and dry on what’s a reasonably narrow, awkward seat. At the least the ground is usually flat.
The slim bottle holders within the doors will turn out to be useful on longer trips, and there are map pockets behind the front seats to stow books or iPads on long drives.
The boot is hit-and-miss – with just 370 litres of space, it’s certainly one of the smallest in the category. It’ll still take a pram or golf clubs, but you have got less space to play with around.
On the plus side though, it’s a thoroughly thought-out space. The ground may be split in two to stop groceries sliding around, and the baggage cover (which is a correct, solid unit) may be folded in half and stored under the ground fairly than clogging up your garage.
What’s under the bonnet?
The bottom engine within the ZR-Z is a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 131kW of power and 240Nm of torque. It’s mated with a constantly variable transmission (CVT).
Claimed fuel economy is 7.0 litres per 100km on the combined cycle, although we saw closer to eight.5 litres per 100km on every week skewed to city driving.
The ZR-V drinks 91 RON regular unleaded, and has a 57L fuel tank.
How does the Honda ZR-V VTi X drive?
This can be a very comfortable automotive should you do most of your driving in the town.
Although the small wheels standard on the bottom VTi X look a bit dorky, they’re wrapped in tall tyres with squidgy sidewalls that do an excellent job absorbing whatever’s happening outside.
Even the range-topping VTi LX rides pretty nicely, however the base model on test here is even nicer on pimply roads, over city potholes, and in speed-bump-lined carparks.
With light steering and many punch from the turbocharged engine, the ZR-V thrives within the confines of the town. It feels more like an oversized Civic (which it essentially is) than a lumbering four-wheel drive which pays dividends when it comes time to park, or to squeeze past parked utes on a narrow laneway.
Honda’s turbocharged 1.5-litre engine is an excellent little unit. It’s smooth and quiet whenever you’re cruising, humming away within the background almost silently at low speeds, but whenever you put your foot down it packs a solid punch.
Where the bottom engine within the Kia Seltos, or perhaps a larger Mazda CX-5 feels undercooked, the turbocharged ZR-V has enough punch to squeeze you back in your seat. With 4 people and luggage on board, it accelerates confidently up hills at highway speeds in a way lots of its rivals won’t.
In case you enjoy driving, you’ll also appreciate the way in which the CVT automatic acts. Fairly than awkwardly flaring the engine revs when you might want to get a move on, it does a formidable impersonation of an everyday automatic by slurring through fake gearshifts.
The steering is linear off centre, and there’s solid enough body control you can drive the ZR-V like an oversized hatchback on interesting roads. It’s not quite as nimble because the lower, lighter Civic, but that is an SUV capable of getting a little bit of fun.
At highway speeds the ZR-V seems like a much bigger automotive. It’s nicely settled over big crests and dips, and Honda’s driver assists are all available to nudge you back between the white lines, or to keep up a niche with the automotive in front, without feeling overbearing.
The shortage of all-wheel drive (across the entire range, not only on this base model) might be a turn off for some. It’s possible to get the front wheels spinning off the mark in the town when it’s wet, and should you frequent the snow or areas with gravel roads all-wheel drive turns out to be useful.
There’s a little bit of road roar from the tyres and wind rustle from the oversized mirrors at 100km/h on average Australian roads, although this base model is quieter than costlier alternatives due to its different tyres.
What do you get?
ZR-V VTi X highlights:
- Adaptive LED headlights
- Energetic 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 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 fold rear seats
Is the Honda ZR-V secure?
The Honda ZR-V has yet to be tested by ANCAP.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- AEB with Pedestrian, Cyclist detection
- Adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow
- Driver attention monitoring
- Lane-keep assist
- Traffic Jam Assist
- Traffic sign recognition
- Front, rear parking sensors
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- 11 airbags
- Dual front, front knee airbags
- Centre airbag
- Front, rear side airbags
- Full-length curtain airbags
VTi LX and above get blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and a surround-view camera.
How much does the Honda ZR-V VTi X cost to run?
The Honda ZR-V is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Servicing is required every 12 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first. The primary five services are capped at $199 each.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Honda ZR-V VTi X
The bottom ZR-V may be missing just a few luxuries, however it still delivers where it counts.
It’s comfortable and fairly spacious inside, and features the identical up-to-date infotainment technology as costlier models. Although there are some cheaper plastics, all of it feels prime quality as well.
There are advantages to choosing the bottom model, too. The small wheels look a bit dorky but they make for a snug ride, and the efficiency advantages of the hybrid will take an extended time to repay given this VTi X is greater than $10,000 cheaper upfront.
Is it the ZR-V you need to buy? That isn’t quite as easy. The shortage of blind-spot and rear cross-traffic assist will turn some buyers off, and the additional luxuries on offer within the model above mean you need to think hard about forking out an additional $3000 for the VTi L.
Broken down over the course of a lease, it’s not all that way more money for more safety and convenience kit.
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This Article First Appeared At www.carexpert.com.au
