HONDA ZR-V E:HEV ADVANCE

Civic-based crossover sets sights on Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai

- WILL RIMELL

TESTED 19.7.23, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE ON SALE SEPTEMBER

The ZR-V is an important car for Honda. After seeing a gap in its range, mainly created by the forthcoming new CR-V growing substantially to compete with cars such as the Hyundai Santa Fe, the Japanese brand decided to act.

"Our dealers are very excited by this car," said Honda UK product boss Andrew Winfield. "We expect to see a lot of conquest sales." You can understand why. Look beyond the odd naming strategy - the ZR-V sits atop the HR-V but below the CR-V - and this is basically a Civic SUV. It's an ideal Kia Sportage/Nissan Qashqai rival.