Name: Honda ZR-V (2023) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Honda ZR-V
Rating: 66.0

Summary

The Honda ZR-V is a mid-sized family SUV/crossover that joins the Honda range in Autumn 2023, sitting between the compact HR-V and larger CR-V SUVs.

It has received a rather mixed bag or review scores so far from the British motoring media, with many outlets praising the car for its economical hybrid powertrain, but still struggling to recommend it over the cheaper Civic hybrid hatchback.

Parker‘s Luke Wilkinson concludes that “the only reason you’d buy the ZR-V over the Civic is because you want an SUV”, and Top Gear‘s Greg Potts agrees, suggesting that buyers “just get it in the Civic rather than messing about with a heavier, uglier SUV.”

If you are looking for a crossover with more ride height however, reviewers agree that this mid-sized Honda makes a strong case against rivals like the popular Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage. Car‘s Tim Pollard says the ZR-V offers “a great driving experience, good comfort levels, and a spacious interior that’s loaded with technology”, though “its boot space might be a little lacklustre.”

Another key sticking point for motoring journalists is the SUV’s price tag, as there bigger vehicles available on the market for less money. However, as Martyn Collins of Business Car sums up, “If you like the way the Civic drives, but need an SUV, the Honda ZR-V is a good compromise.”

As of February 2025, the Honda ZR-V holds a New Car Expert Rating of B with a score of 66%. It scores top marks for its excellent safety rating and low CO₂ emissions, however its media review scores and running costs are both poor.

More Honda Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features

ZR-V highlights

Efficient hybrid engine
User-friendly infotainment
Well-equipped high quality interior
Comfortable driving experience

ZR-V lowlights

Only one engine option
High starting price
Rivals offer more boot space and seating flexibility
Rather plain exterior looks

Key specifications

Body style: Medium SUV
Engines: petrol/electric hybrid
Price: From £39,495 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2023
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol/electric Advance
Score: 6.4 / 10
“The Honda ZR-V is a solid medium SUV with an economical hybrid engine, but it doesn’t really stand out from a crowded family car market in any particular area.”
Author: Trinity Francis
Read review

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Honda’s answer to the Nissan Qashqai features a slick hybrid setup and generous cabin space, but it’s not without its flaws.”
Author: Ellis Hyde, Alex Ingram
Read review

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol/electric hybrid Sport
Score: 8 / 10
“Honda’s new ZR-V has the fundamentals needed to make it a compelling C-segment SUV option. It’s spacious, well built and has very impressive real-world efficiency, so is easy to recommend.”
Author: Jordan Katsianis
Read review

Business Car+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol/electric hybrid Advance
Score: 8 / 10
“If you like the way the Civic drives, but need an SUV, the Honda ZR-V is a good compromise.”
Author: Martyn Collins
Read review

Car+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Honda ZR-V makes an excellent case for itself when compared against its SUV rivals. Its boot space might be a little lacklustre alongside the likes of the Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai, but it compensates for that with a great driving experience, good comfort levels, impressive fuel economy and a spacious interior that’s loaded with technology.”
Author: Tim Pollard
Read review

Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.6 / 10
“The ZR-V is a good effort from Honda but not a class-leading SUV. It scores well for space, equipment levels and comfort, and the in-car tech is easy to use. However, there isn’t the polish here we’ve come to expect from Honda.”
Author: Jordan Katsianis, Andy Goodwin
Read review

Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Honda ZR-V is a mid-size SUV that features an efficient powertrain and a stylish cabin, but it’s a shame it’s not spacious as alternatives.”
Read review

Daily Mirror+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol/electric hybrid Advance
Score: 6 / 10
“The Honda ZR-V is a practical performer, but pretty pricey.”
Author: Gareth Butterfield
Read review

Honest John+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Honda ZR-V is a likeable family SUV with an upmarket interior and efficient hybrid powertrain. Its bland looks won’t do it any favours though, and nor will its relatively high start price.”
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The only reason you’d buy the ZR-V over the Civic is because you want an SUV. The ZR-V is a good SUV, but the Civic is a much better car.” (Luke Wilkinson)
Read review

The Sunday Times+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“In many ways, the new ZR-V is brilliant. The powertrain is as refined as it is clever, the cabin is roomy and well built, and the driving experience offers comfort and stability.” (James Fossdyke)
Read review

The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Whatever you think of Honda’s legendary reliability, clever marketing and this almost-brilliant hybrid system, when all’s said there are better and bigger vehicles out there for less money; one of them even carries a Honda badge.” (Andrew English)
Read review

Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Honda’s hybrid powertrain is still impressive, but just get it in the Civic rather than messing about with a heavier, uglier SUV.” (Greg Potts)
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: December 2023
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 79%
Child protection: 86%
Vulnerable road users: 81%
Safety assist: 68%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of February 2025, the Honda ZR-V has not been assessed by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of February 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Honda ZR-V to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the ZR-V, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Hybrid models	49 mpg	C	49 – 50 mpg	B – C

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Hybrid models	131 g/km	A	130 – 132 g/km	A – A

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	35	C	35 – 35	C – C

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£169	A
Year 2	£440	A
Year 3	£709	A
Year 4	£912	A
Year 5	£1,292	A
Overall	£3,522	A

The Honda ZR-V has a mixed bag of running costs, according to five-year ownership cost data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

For a relatively compact hybrid vehicle, fuel consumption isn’t great – and that’s the biggest running costs for most people. Servicing and maintenance bills, however, should be very good compared to most vehicles.