Honda has launched the ZR-V in India at an introductory price of Rs 48 lakh (ex-showroom) as its flagship offering for the market. Available only in a single fully loaded variant and imported from Japan as a CBU, it is Honda’s alternative to the likes of the Skoda Kodiaq, Volkswagen Tayron and Tiguan.
- Strong-hybrid petrol engine churns out 184hp and 315Nm
- Claimed fuel efficiency is 22.8kpl
- Lacks a panoramic sunroof and cooled seats
Honda said the first two batches of the SUV, comprising a total of 120 units, have been spoken for, and deliveries have also commenced.
Honda ZR-V powertrain
Only SUV in the segment to utilise a strong-hybrid petrol engine
The Honda ZR-V is offered only with a strong-hybrid petrol engine. This 2.0-litre four-cylinder direct-injection unit runs on the more efficient Atkinson cycle. This engine works in conjunction with two permanent magnet synchronous electric motors. This setup delivers a combined output of 184hp and 315Nm, with power sent to the front wheels via an e-CVT gearbox. Honda claims the ZR-V has a 0-100kph time of 7.9 seconds, the top speed is electronically limited to 172kph, and the fuel efficiency is rated at 22.8kpl.
Honda ZR-V exterior design details
A unique crossover look compared to its SUV rivals
Featuring a crossover-esque look, the ZR-V takes a different approach to design compared to its rivals. Its front end sports slim LED headlamps with L-shaped daytime running lamps (DRLs), a grille with prominent vertical slats, and functional air vents on the bumper’s sides. Lower down is a trapezoidal air intake with a mesh pattern. In profile, the ZR-V gets clean, rounded-off surfaces, with coloured cladding for the wheel arches and 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels. The rear is characterised by distinct clear-lens tail-lamps, a roof-mounted spoiler, ZR-V and e:HEV badging and dual exhaust tips with a silver-coloured finish. The ZR-V is offered in four colours: Twilight Mist Black Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl, Meteoroid Gray Metallic and Platinum White Pearl.
Honda ZR-V interior and features
An all-black interior with many physical controls
The Honda ZR-V’s interior has an all-black theme and features soft-touch materials. Key highlights include a honeycomb grille with a thin silver strip running the width of the dash that conceals the AC vents. Sitting at the top of the dash is a freestanding infotainment system with physical controls. Below the central vents are rotary knobs and a switch for controlling the car’s HVAC system. The centre console sports buttons for the drive modes, drive selection, and electronic parking brake. The seats have all-black leatherette upholstery with contrasting white stitching. Storage spaces include a glove box, door bins, and a cubby under the front centre armrest.
Apart from the 9-inch infotainment system, the ZR-V comes with goodies such as a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, dual-zone climate control, an 8-way powered driver’s seat with memory, a 4-way powered front passenger seat, a wireless charger, an electric tailgate with gesture control and ambient lighting. However, it misses out on features such as a panoramic sunroof and cooled, heated and massaging front seats. On the safety front, the ZR-V gets Level 2 ADAS, a 360-degree parking camera, 8 airbags, a tyre-pressure monitor, hill-start and hill-descent assist functions, traction control and Isofix child-seat mounts.
Dipan Sur
Viraaj Bhatnagar
