2023 Honda ZR-V Turbo long term review

Honda’s ZR-V is part of the firm’s SUV line-up which at present includes the new CR-V, and we’ll eventually get the next generation HR-V later in the year after an extended absence.

This one then is the middle child of the range, the two-variant line-up consisting of the Honda ZR-V Sport hybrid, which we featured last year, and this is the Turbo.

And as the name suggests it uses Honda’s 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo, being the conventional option for those who want nothing to do with electrified wares. It’s cheaper than the hybrid, $47,000 versus the $55k asked for the Sport, though it’s not as well specified.

We had this during our end of year break and it proved to be a thoroughly decent family wagon.

Covering just over 1100km during a few weeks gives you a good idea of a vehicle’s capabilities, and the ZR-V does what it’s designed to do; ferry the family about easily and safely.

It’s not a vehicle you’d exactly lust after but then nothing about it annoys either. And for most that’s what they want; trouble-free, straightforward motoring with enough conveniences to make life easy without the over-the-top extras.

You miss out on a few things compared with the better specified Sport, sat nav being one of them, but this is CarPlay and Android Auto ready. The touchscreen infotainment system is a basic contraption, and therefore easy to use.

Seats are lined with fabric, so don’t scald during hot summer days but are heated for when the weather turns cold again. While they lack power adjustment, it’s no biggie, though the absence of lumbar support is noticed on longer hauls.

They are comfortable otherwise and with reasonable adjustment at the wheel, everyone should be able to find a sorted driving position.

There’s okay storage too, despite the odd design of the centre console, and while you don’t get a charge pad, there are accessible USB sockets front and rear. We appreciated the cold air con on hot days too, quickly cooling the cabin.

The Honda ZR-V has good forward vision, as do all Hondas these days, along with useful side mirrors that are backed with blind spot minders. There is just the standard reversing camera but it gives a wide and clear view of what’s behind.

With quick and easy steering, a good turn around and modest dimensions, this proved a handy vehicle to tackle the nightmare before Christmas that is the shopping mall car park.

A powered tailgate makes the list, and the boot is right sized for the job with 380L of space under the cargo cover. And that’s enough to fit the weekly grocery shop, while removing said cover lets you stuff it all in for the weekend trips away.

Split folding is straightforward if you have even more to lug about, and you get a flat load area. There is a space saver spare underneath but no extra storage.

If you fit a tow hitch, Honda rates ZR-V to haul up to 1500kg braked, or 700kg without trailer stoppers, while the download rating is 75kg.

There’s a flattish floor in the rear of the cabin, so three kids across the back is okay, the middle child getting enough legroom. There are Isofix points for younger ones, the only iffy bit is the middle seat belt dangling from the roof.

The 1.5 turbo is a good mill, serving up 240Nm of torque, and it’s made where you need it most, down low in the everyday driving zone. With it spread right across the rev range (1500-4500rpm), there’s little real need to go past 2500rpm for most of your mundane motoring.

There’s an Econ button for slightly better fuel economy, but you do get better access to the pull with it off. There are no torque steer issues here while traction is rarely threatened in the dry.

The auto is a CVT device but it’s a good one. It will settle the engine around the 1400rpm mark around town, and 2100rpm at 100km/h.

We didn’t mess with the paddles at all, while the S mode was good for maintaining a lower ratio on decent descents to keep speed in check.

It’s not needed otherwise as the overtakes are completed by simply flattening the throttle and the transmission quickly gets the message. It shortens the ratio smartly and then the ZR-V shows a reasonable turn of pace once the engine spins past 3500rpm.

The ride is settled over most roads, and not too loud on coarse chip highways either. Lane departure mitigation is easily triggered but can be calmed (but not switched out) in the safety system settings.

Active cruise is always helpful on road trips, and easily set and controlled via logical steering wheel buttons.

The fuel use figure is a stated 8.0L/100km, while we averaged 8.7L/100km driving around the city (a mix of urban and motorway miles). The figure dropped to 7.7L/100km with a drive south and back to the big lake in the centre of the North Island. It runs on 91 too.

Being a Honda, there’s no wriggle room on the price but it comes with the usual five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, with a service plan available as well.

This story first appeared in the February 2024 issue of NZ Autocar magazine.