Full details: Honda ZR-V wades into the SUV battle

Following on from last fortnight’s pricing announcement, Honda Australia has revealed full specification details for the all-new 2023 Honda ZR-V – just as the all-new mid-size SUV enters showrooms.

Starting from the bottom of the range, the entry-level VTi X ($40,200 drive-away) is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine outputting 131kW/240Nm and rolls on 17-inch alloy wheels as standard, with plenty more kit lurking in the cabin.

Equipment highlights include a 9.0-inch infotainment touch-screen, eight-speaker sound system, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, premium cloth upholstery, dual-zone climate control, eight-speaker sound system, 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, 11 airbags, rain-sensing wipers and parking sensors at both ends.

Primary exterior lighting is handled by adaptive LED headlights with cornering function, while active safety credentials including autonomous emergency braking and lane keep assist are provided by the Honda Sensing suite.

Second in the line-up is the $43,200 VTi L, which builds on the base model’s spec sheet with leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, 18-inch alloys, heated door mirrors, hands-free powered tailgate, rear privacy glass, combination LED tail-lights and metal paddle shifters.

The features list expands considerably on the penultimate VTi LX ($48,500) with the inclusion of leather appointed seats, power adjustment for the driver and passenger with memory function for the latter, heated rear seats, wireless charging pad, 12-speaker Bose sound system, body-coloured wheel-arches and lower bumpers, drive mode select, sports pedals, a 360-degree camera, heated steering wheel, satellite-navigation, air purification system, auto-tilting mirror and door line illumination.

Safety kit is also stepped up through the addition of blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

Sitting atop the local ZR-V tree is the $54,900 e:HEV VTi LX hybrid, which ditches the force-fed 1.5-litre engine in favour of a bigger 2.0-litre unit boosted by a pair of electric motors for a combined system output of 135kW/315Nm.

But despite sharing its trim nameplate with the model below, the only electrified ZR-V variant scores a couple of extra key features like a shift-by-wire gear selector, Smart KeyCard, humidity sensor and blue-outlined badging, matched at the rear by the obligatory e:HEV logo.

But the hybrid powertrain has ruled out a spare wheel of any description, meaning owners will have to make do with a puncture repair kit.

All ZR-V variants employ a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) to send power to the front wheels, and all feature Honda Connect compatibility with connected services.

Under the skin you’ll find a MacPherson strut front suspension arrangement and an independent multi-link rear-end, while the brake callipers act on generously sized 312mm front and 310mm rear rotors.

“The Honda ZR-V is Honda Australia’s first, brand-new core model to be introduced in Australia in 20 years,” Honda Australia director Carolyn McMahon said in a statement.

“We are truly excited for the launch of the Honda ZR-V into the Australian market and to provide customers even more choice when considering the Honda brand.”

As previously reported, local ZR-V customers will have the choice of five exterior colours – Crystal Black, Platinum Grey, Platinum Crystal Blue, Platinum White and Platinum Crystal Garnet – but the base VTi X will not be available in the blue or black.

Join the conversation at 

our Facebook page

Or email us at 

editor@carsales.com.au