Honda ZR-V
All-new hybrid family SUV aims to combine low running costs with sharp handling On sale October Price from £39,495
IF YOU'RE EVER unsure what size of coffee to order in Starbucks, Honda's line-up will have you equally baffled when picking an SUV. Let's clear things up, then: this new ZR-V is like a Grande Cappuccino. It's a medium-sized serving that slips between the Tall HR-V and the Venti CR-V on Honda's SUV menu.
Fortunately, things get a lot simpler when it comes to choosing which ZR-V to buy. All versions come with the same 2.0-litre petrol hybrid set-up (named e:HEV) as the Civic hatchback, producing a healthy 181bhp. The 0-62mph sprint takes around 8.0sec, matching the figures for the more powerful Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage hybrids.
Because the hybrid system has no physical gears, progress is smoother than in those rivals, too. The ZR-V is hushed at low speeds, when it's often the electric motor alone pulling you along. The relatively small battery means it can only do that for short spells, but electric assistance lasts longer and is more frequent than in most other hybrid rivals - although not the Renault Austral.
The ZR-V isn't as quiet as a Sportage at motorway speeds; there's more noise from the tyres and as the wind rushes past the windscreen. There's a bit of suspension noise as it deals with lowspeed bumps, too, but it's no louder than it is in most rivals.
The ride is a little on the firm side, but the trade-off is that the ZR-V resists body lean well in corners, and it feels pleasingly agile. The steering doesn't feel as meaty as that of the Sportage, but it's precise enough. There's lots of grip, too, allowing you to flow down a country road with confidence.
Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av What Car? UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av What Car? UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Lexus RZ 450e+ Takumi Bi-tone
Greater stamina and a lower price would have enhanced our opinion of this upmarket electric SUV
Audi A6 Avant 45 TFSI quattro Sport
Our new posh estate has to deal with a mega-miles commute and an older sibling. How will it get on?
Renault Clio 1.0 TCe 90 Evolution
It's our reigning Small Car of the Year, but will the latest Clio continue to impress in daily use? We're finding out
ALL POSHED UP
Looking to buy an upmarket SUV? For around £35,000, you could have a new Lexus LBX or a used BMW X1. Let's see where your money should go
JOINING UP THE TOTS
Small, cheap cars bring numerous benefits, especially if most of your driving is around town. We take three leading examples on a road trip to see which of them paints the most complete picture
GRIPPING STUFF
Tyre choice can make a huge difference to how your car behaves in changeable weather. We search for the best
Audi A6 e-tron
BMW i5 rival uses the same tech as the Q6 e-tron SUV for serious pace and range On sale Late 2024 Price from £62,000 (est)
Renault Symbioz
Slightly smaller than Renault's existing Austral, this new hybrid family SUV has its sights set firmly on the popular Nissan Qashqai On sale Now Price from £29,295
Volkswagen Golf
Family car celebrates its 50th birthday with an update, including much-improved infotainment On sale Now Price from £27,035
Hyundai Tucson
Update for Hyundai's family SUV includes a redesigned interior and a revised engine line-up On sale Now Price from £32,000