The Honda ZR-V has landed in Australia as the first brand-new model line to arrive locally in the last 20 years. It will be offered in four variants and Honda Australia is confident that it will attract new buyers to the brand. How will it do it?
For starters, the ZR-V has a particularly sleek exterior design, something that cannot be said of all other Honda models. More important than the design are the two powertrains that it will be offered with and the fact that it starts at AU$40,200 ($26,667), making it significantly cheaper than the 11th-generation Civic that has gone up market and now starts at AU$47,200 ($31,311) with the same engine.
The engine in question is a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 131 kW (176 hp) at 6,000 rpm and 240 Nm (177 lb-ft) of torque between 1,700 and 4,500 rpm. This engine features a diecast aluminum block, cast-in iron cylinder liners, and a lightweight heat-forged steel crankshaft. It also features Honda’s famed VTEC system on the exhaust side and Variable Timing Control that can vary the timing of both the intake and exhaust camshafts independently.
Read: 2023 Honda ZR-V Arrives In Europe As The Hybrid Twin Of The US-Spec HR-V
This 1.5-liter four-cylinder comes standard on the VTi X, VTi L, and VTi LX while the flagship e-HEV LX Hybrid has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder working alongside an electric motor. It is good for a combined 135 kW (176 hp) and 315 Nm (232 lb-ft) of torque.
The entry-level Honda ZR-V VTi X starts at AU$40,200 ($26,667) and in addition to the 1.5-liter, includes standard features like an 8-speaker sound system, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, 17-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, and a leather steering wheel. The AU$43,200 ($28,657) VTi L builds on the VTi X and adds premium black leatherette seats, heated front seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, heated wing mirrors, hands-free power tailgate, rear privacy glass, LED taillights, and metal paddle shifters.
Then there is the VTi LX available from AU$48,500 ($32,173). This version includes black leather seats, front power seats, rear heated seats, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, wireless charger, sport pedals, rear-cross traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, a heated steering wheel, navigation, and an air purification system.
Topping out the 2024 ZR-V range is the aforementioned hybrid e-HEV LX Hybrid. It has the same features as the VTi LX but adds a smart keycard, ditches the spare wheel in favor of a tire repair kit, includes a humidity sensor, and new badges. Prices for this model start at AU$54,900 ($36,419).
