Honda ZR-V 2024 review - a proper Toyota RAV4 SUV rival with hybrid?!

[@Theozpilot93]

I preordered a hybrid version in the last couple weeks. Expensive yes, however, the wait time is much lower compared to a RAV-4 (6 months vs 2 years), the interior I find is a lot nicer on the Honda (I prefer leather seats plus I think the RAV-4 interior feels a little cheap) and the fuel economy is negligably different. I plan on using it for both private and Uber, (every man and his dog uses a Camry Hybrid, the amount of them on the road is ridiculous, also again the 2 year wait is a killer). I really like Honda as a brand as well. The boot space is smaller I agree, although I am confident of being able to fit in 2 reasonably sized suitcases. Can't wait to get mine in December/January!

[@edmondwan6429]

Hey Daniel, I totally agree with you like Honda looks more classy and luxury. Just keep it in remind it's better to double check whether this car will get ANCAP test or not, if not, this car may not qualified for Uber

[@Theozpilot93]

@@edmondwan6429 I’ve been advised by the dealer and Honda Australia that the car will be ANCAP tested shortly, they are waiting for better supply to come in before handing one over for testing. I’d be shocked if it didn’t get tested.

[@lateralridge]

Pricing has always been a sensitive topic. People just want Cheap Hondas. Bt the whole market is moving that way. Agree with you ,t is probably 5% Higher. IF that gives you exclusivity from sea of Toyotas and Mazdas then hey, why not! it Looks better on road than pictures for unexplainable reasons. I also find ZRV boot smaller than Civics! PS: drive the new Civic and absolutely love the way it drives and the boot space and a good sized backseat. It's not perfect and I thought Honda deserved the extra monies than Mazda 3 (for my use) which I tested few times . Absolutely happy with it.

[@therightcar]

Thanks mate. Great feedback and top observations. I’d have a Civic personally. I like it more.

[@iEnofadov]

Thanks for the review! I've been eager to see the new ZR-V and how it stacks up, not that I'd actually buy one. In great Honda Australia fashion, it's a little too expensive for what it is, the boot space is too small and the rear exterior styling is a little bland for my liking. It's almost like the front and rear ends of the vehicle were designed by two different teams. Plus, I'm not a fan of CVT's. Glad you did a brief comparison between this and the Skoda Karoq, as the Karoq 110TSI Style is a vehicle I's got my sights on. You can pick one of these up as a demonstrator for under $40k. I'm happy just to get one in base form, I don't need all the options pack that they come with and hikes the price of them too high. They're a nice drive and a lot more practical, especially with those rear seat options.

[@therightcar]

Thanks mate. Glad you found the review helpful. And yep I agree completely that it looks like it was mashed together by two different exterior styling teams. Yep I thought Karoq was a great outside the box option!!

[@ivankhalid4699]

Wireless phone charger is only included as standard in the LX which is $48500

[@therightcar]

Correct but you can option it into the lower grades for like $680 as an accessory if you want it that badly.

[@mrporsche4236]

Looks like a maserati levante. The hybrid does 100 kmh in 6.8 sec. Yes please

[@therightcar]

I don’t see it. I see Ford Escape.

[@rimloch3919]

Hi Matt nice review, for a similar price to Corolla Cross Atmos, is it bigger better?

[@arunaedirisinghe]

Honda should have introduced Passport in Australia instead of ZRV

[@therightcar]

No arguments against that logic here! That and Ridgeline would be so great to see here. But left-hand drive and stubbornness prevents it.

[@reonbarrett5546]

faster car than the toyota

[@therightcar]

Because everyone is out to race hybrid family SUVs.

[@raymondmumford6255]

Love Honda, but shit, this thing is Ugly.

[@therightcar]

Your words, not mine... but I see where you're coming from.

[@worrywart1311]

That's in the eye of the beholder. I like non-flashy, conservatively designed cars.

[@raymondmumford6255]

@@worrywart1311 As long as you are happy with the look ☺️

[@ytyndale3643]

It's actually one of the best looking SUVs available so weird comment. Sorry for your loss.

[@01nig57]

Hmm, I think it's a Sao, very plain and bland - inside and out. Well put together review.

[@therightcar]

Thanks. I was trying to figure out what a Sao was... like 'is that some Asian-market alternative?'....! Then I realised... SAO! The horrible cracker (well, horrible unless you douse it in butter and Vegemite, or my sibling's favourite, butter and tomato sauce. Hmmm. Weird. But thanks!

[@01nig57]

@@therightcar That's so funny :-)

[@kenphillips7594]

A face that only a mother could love.

[@howardgoold5774]

I've driven the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid and the Honda ZRV hybrid, in my opinion the Honda is superior. You don't seem a Hybrid fan, in today's world I think you need to adjust your attitude towards Hybrids

[@mindfreeze0838]

Maserati called, they want their grille back. Apart from that, its expensive, the headunit interface looks like a cheap android headunit, that boot is a joke(a Vitara has more for context) and its overpriced, as all Honda cars are. i would take the Skoda(as much as I dont like VW I like practical cars more) or a H6 over this. I do like that this gets 11 airbags, those are S Class and Rolls Royce numbers. Also correct me if im wrong but this came out in China first last year when the Americans were getting their HRV right?

[@markscott2215]

USA gets the same car as their HRV. However, the base models get a 2.0L non-turbo engine on base models.

[@markward573]

I like the look, I don’t think the price is that bad. People complain too much

[@therightcar]

It is a common malady.

[@Richard-sl8we]

I disagree, the ZR-V will fail in Australia. It is today's Ford Edsel. Just buy a RAV-4 hybrid or a Corolla Cross hybrid.

[@Paul-fv4no]

Ridiculously overpriced.

[@anubizz3]

Since they Ditch their only dominating car Odyssey the only car that can save Honda is the all new CRV , but viewing their USA review its not looking good.....

[@therightcar]

Hmmm, hopefully the new CR-V is good. It needs to be.

[@anubizz3]

@@therightcar Well the top of the range of USA CRV. 1. Still using incandescent light 2. No auto folding mirrors 3. No 360 camera. 4.No spare wheel 5.No filter in their hybrid coolant system. 6. Still using reflector headlight. And so on its so many I cannot even remember. Honda stuck in year 2000.

[@tonybennett638]

Hybrid in a Toyota around 3,00$ in a other..in the others well you have look.

[@graemeottey]

Hondas crap price promise stops intelligent people buying them.

[@therightcar]

Are intelligent people the ones who spend weeks researching and going to different showrooms to get a few hundred bucks off, not realising that time is the only real worthwhile commodity in life…?

[@buncha5651]

​@therightcar Your missing the point it's great fun to haggle and still not buy.😊

[@Andy-sj2dv]

@@therightcar You are so right and the older you get the more you realize that.

[@zaamuro8408]

Shame its so expensive. Honda should've gone for volume rather than trying to be premium.

[@mrz1281]

yer the price gouge put me off as well

[@therightcar]

It is a bit overs. But I think the base version is value.

[@NoNopeAndNo]

I would buy tickets to witness a customer tick a lengthy list of YES boxes for a vehicle they love; engine, fuel efficiency, seating, warranty, etc, discovers NO option for sunroof and then proceeds to rip contract up 😅😂 If a vehicle doesn't arrive with Bull horns infront of radiator, I'm out!

[@therightcar]

LOL

[@stizzygrayson5541]

$48k for top of range turbo seems like reasonable value. I like the blue and the Bose system sounds great.

[@daweigo6851]

No sunroof,😮

[@vladthe3rd414]

I agree, I can’t find another similar mid size suv with the features that’s 48k new.

[@JamShan92]

​@daweigo6851 Advance model has the sun roof plus many more features.

[@simonjebb8180]

Hi mate awesome review we are seriously considering the ZRV vtilx or Vtilx Honda's company car dis you drive both models, if so which seats did you fine comfy there is only 2 of us and a dog but now have to drive elderly parents around and our current HRV EHEV is not too king in space for that very interested in the Tiggo 7 and also the Xtail your thoughts would be greatly appreciated

[@dkkli985]

Honda has been crazy these days... The new Civic, HR-V are all good cars, the problem is the pricing. Look, car prices are going up and that's a fact. But if you look at all the main stream players, Honda's been overly aggressive. Their fixed pricing model can be good if the price is right. But the thing is their prices are wrong ATM. All of my friends couldn't believe a petrol Civic costs 47,000 drive away when it'e revealed. I like Honda, I really do. But I don't know why you should pay this amount of money for this ZR-V other than say, a Mazda CX-5...

[@therightcar]

Summed up nicely. Over the mark by 5% minimum price-wise, I reckon.

[@kenphillips7594]

I'd argue with Matt about his 5% minimum. I reckon the base model needs to be no more than $35000.

[@vladmihai306]

too expensive. drove one and while it's a nice car, it doesn't feel like a 50k car. not at all. it feels like a 25-30k start -> 35-40k tops car.

[@Ashoz85]

Small boot and still no space saver is a no no for me, I like the rest of the car (maybe more power ideally)

[@snsum2853]

I would have thought a Corolla Cross was a more direct comparison to this rather than the Rav4?. Also in terms of not offering BSM on lower specs, even VW removed it and other niceties from their cars but many didn't complain (based on some comments on here)

[@therightcar]

ZR-V is closer to RAV4 in size than it is Corolla Cross (exterior dimensions, official market segmentation). But I think a Corolla Cross would be a more thoughtful and clever option. VW removed it due to semiconductor shortages. Honda never added it so didn’t remove it.

[@snsum2853]

@@therightcar That's interesting to note about the size, I'm guessing the new CRV would be between the Rav4 and Kluger in size

[@pjb5594]

That’s true, in the US it’s compared to the Corolla Cross never to the Rav4 or Mazda CX5.

[@DIngo-work]

@@therightcar when asking Honda AU direct about the lack of BSM on lower grades it was due to semiconductor shortages as well. So fingers crossed that a small facelift sooner rather than later will fix this

[@daviddavies3637]

Completely different lineup to the UK. Over here, just three trims and all are HEV. There is a panoramic sunroof over here as well on the top spec model

[@therightcar]

Different markets, different wants and needs. But still fundamentally decent!

[@mvnorsel6354]

Who doesn't like orange cables in the engine bay ?😅

[@therightcar]

They’re the ones that you cut when the timer is racing towards zero. No. Don’t cut them. Don’t. Please.

[@mrz1281]

great review once again, i cancelled my pre order, the omission of blind spot (on lower models) and drive away locking was a deal breaker for me.

[@mvnorsel6354]

What is drive away locking ?

[@mrz1281]

@@mvnorsel6354 the car locks when you drive off, or unlocks when you put into park etc. its a great safety feature in our 2017 tucson and you can customise to how you want it to work. its a must!

[@therightcar]

Wow, didn’t realise it doesn’t have drive-away locking. Do you live in a rough area where carjacking is a threat? Or you just like that feeling of safety?

[@mrz1281]

@@therightcar yer it was listed before launch and then they removed the item from the documents due to either a stuff up or deleted feature. its just a great feature to have for my wife and child. theres crime everywhere. nothing worse than sitting at the lights and getting thrown out with a baby in the back seat!

[@buncha5651]

Can't stand drive away locking. The first thing I disable when I get a new car.

[@caldeer2074]

In what seems to be a constant theme with Hondas these days, is it no longer represents good value because the price is too high for the spec. It is also very annoying that they seem to be going down the path again of only providing the good active safety features on the most expensive models.

[@Richard-sl8we]

Agreed, Honda are taking their customers for fools; result is a decline in sales. They should pack their bags and leave Oz, good riddance.

[@TenzWang88]

over $54k car dosen't have a panoramic sunroof and vision technology lol. Honda better leave from australian market soon.

[@therightcar]

Bit of a harsh take. But they should have that roof option.

[@TenzWang88]

@@therightcar yes in the US 29k ZRV has sunroof but here in Australia 54k doesn’t have sunroof lol

[@marwandwedar2165]

@@TenzWang88 The American version is a bad version, even the name of the car is not ZRV. Also, the engine is completely different and they do not have a hybrid version!

[@worrywart1311]

On paper the boot size is very close to the RAV4, the turbo Z-VR has a tiny bit more and the hybrid a bit less.

[@therightcar]

So would you buy it?

[@worrywart1311]

@@therightcar Absolutely, but then I'm retired. Been putting off a replacing my 2015 Liberty 3.6 sedan for three years. Nothing strongly appealed until this came along.

[@GenevieveWhite-r6n]

Gonzalez Elizabeth Perez Charles Williams Paul

[@GlowingTube]

Expensive, small boot… another Honda fail

[@barron204]

It's nice, but I would place this far down the list in alternatives.

[@therightcar]

Thanks for sharing!

[@miaesesagibbse918]

White Sarah Martin Jessica Martinez Paul

[@williamconnell6541]

I'm actually surprised that Honda is still alive in this segment of vehicles, perhaps after this disaster they won't be :)

[@therightcar]

What makes this a disaster? I thought it was alright.

[@williamconnell6541]

@@therightcar The price, Its ugly, no spare wheel, arm rest looks to far back, no Awd , smaller interior than most, MPG is quite good, no sunroof, safety factors you mentioned, under powered compared to the Rav 4 , that's enough, go buy a RAV 4 you'll thank me later :)

[@Richard-sl8we]

​@@williamconnell6541 Agreed, RAV-4 hybrid remains king.

[@mvnorsel6354]

How does the space in this compare to a i30 sedan ? Doubt most would not think of cross shopping these😅.

[@therightcar]

Hahaha if you’re cross-shopping these two, I reckon you’re the only person on Earth thinking that way. i30 sedan has more backseat space and a better seating position.

[@y0urlocalcat]

@mvnorsel6354 I am actually tossing up between the ZRV VTi LX and Hyundai i30 sedan N-Line Premium. I can’t decide. Did you end up choosing between the two?

[@Schaneification]

In the States it a HR-V and cost half the Price BUILD SUMMARY Want to estimate your monthly payment? ENTER YOUR ZIP CODE YOUR BUILD Base Price $28,200 Powertrain EDIT 2WD CVT - w/2.0L, 4-Cyl. Engine (Included) $0 Design EDIT Lunar Silver Metallic $0 Gray Perforated Leather $0 17-Inch Machine-Finished Alloy Wheels with Gloss Shark Gray Inserts (Included) $0 Packages EDIT Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Monitor (Included) $0 Accessories EDIT Emblems, H-Mark and HR-V - Gloss Black $105 Moonroof Visor $167 Destination & Handling Fees $1,325 Total MSRP* as Built $29,797

[@therightcar]

The US is a different place. Fact!

[@Schaneification]

@@therightcar But the Same car different name

[@kenphillips7594]

Can i suggest that the problem sits with Honda Australia who decide on options and price. Stephen Collins got Honda into this bind and now the company has serious problems. Civic procing and range. HRV pricing and only four seats! ZRV boot is dreadful, safety items missing, no magic seats and overpriced by at least $8,000 make even HA's low sales targets look optimistic. How to reduce the impact of the ghost of Collins? Cull the board for starters an then senior managers.

[@therightcar]

Wow this is a deep cut. I don’t know if it was all Collins doing - some of the decisions were out of his hands.

[@kenphillips7594]

​@@therightcarCollins was the boss so he scores responsibility. Was it out of his hands? He was the fellow in charge so it was up to him to decide options and approve pricing. He was the face of HA when announcing cuts to the dealer network. As one dealer said to me, Collins wants all the profits, and left Lismore without the dealer who just happened to be Honda's first dealer in Australia. Then HA denies a warranty claim based on a photo in the face of contrary advice from THREE people at the local Honda Centre who saw the problem in the metal as it were. Deep cut? Yep, but pretty darned close to the money.

[@balutvm2008]

Why Honda providing Blind spot monitoring only on higher variants

[@therightcar]

Because they see it as a convenience item, not a safety item. You don't NEED to offer it across the range to get five-star ANCAP, so they don't.

[@balutvm2008]

@@therightcar oh, but isn't it a basic safety feature nowadays . Everyone else providing as default

[@kimbopyt]

saw the car in person and honestly best real review agree on the video. small boot and internal back looks small

[@rpatel9901]

im ot sure if your version differs from the UK / EU version but here the zrv hybrid is built on the Civic platform so im surprised that you say the handling isnt great. re the hybrid engine the car is mainly driven by the motor which has lots of tork. the engine at low speeds is mainly used to charge the battery, which in turn powers the drive motor. the engine only kick in and runs constantly at higher speeds o

[@Shloeb]

You are one of the best reviewers out there. Perfection!

[@tonybennett638]

Old mate does this difference make much difference... reckon not.

[@johnnyfrog]

Agree that maybe too costly on the eHEV model. But thinking of 1,500km per tank of gas (Hong Kong distrubutor provided info). It should be able to compete with Toyota RAV 4 hybrid. Also agree the boot space is a bit small. EspEspecially the eHEV model doesn't have spare tyre. It's good if you can provide a long term A/B test.

[@therightcar]

Thanks for that - and yep, I was lucky enough not to have to shoot this video at the event. Great to live with a car on real roads in real situations!

[@johnnyfrog]

@therightcar Thanks for your reply. This is the first video I'd watch on this channel. Driving a 2015 HR-V currently. And sort of a fan on Japanes brand. Really like the "facial looking" of ZR-V. It's kind of like Maserati and Aston Martin LOL. Was preferred RAV 4 but changed my target on ZR-V after seeing the 2 yrs waiting cue... What would you suggest if I'm looking for a vehicle that fits for family of 4 daily use with better boot space (storing kids bike or tent occasionally) Subaru outback? Nissan X-Trail?

[@pjb5594]

It’s looks alot smaller than a Rav4.

[@therightcar]

Internally, it’s closer to a Corolla Cross in size. Externally, it’s just a little smaller than RAV in length.

[@pjb5594]

⁠Okay so that’s why in the US it’s compared to the Corolla Cross etc. not to the next size up.

[@TimBorg]

Boycott SUVs

[@ytyndale3643]

The petrol turbo is way better than the hybrid.

[@therightcar]

It’s the one I’d pick.

[@ytyndale3643]

@@therightcar Yeah I got the Vti-L it's a great car, handles really good around corners.

[@eddie3630]

I'll stick with my honda hrv VTi-L thanks 😅😂😂..

[@mvnorsel6354]

I'II stick with my 380, a dinosaur but a fully functioning one😅. That's 2 of us that are happy with what we have.

[@therightcar]

Cool!