2024 Honda ZR-V: Everything you need to know about the new Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester rival coming to Australia soon

The Honda ZR-V is a completely new SUV from Honda, which is significant in itself as the brand has not launched a new model line in a long time.

What's interesting about this new model is that it is coming to fill a gap in the carmaker's line-up.

The next CR-V, due later this year, is much larger than the ageing model it replaces, and will compete with the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento, instead of the Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5 that the current model battles for sales with.

And the new-gen HR-V that arrived last year is smaller and less family friendly than the old model - it doesn't have a rear middle seat.

So the ZR-V comes into the line-up as a larger small SUV, or a smaller medium SUV - depending how you look at it.

But what's it going to cost and when is it coming to Australia? Here's everything we know about this model ahead of its Australian arrival.

When will the Honda ZR-V arrive in dealerships?

The Honda ZR-V will go on sale in Japan first this April and then arrive in Australia by the middle of this year. Honda will no doubt be taking local customer orders very soon, so if you're keen it might be good time to put your hand up.

How big is the Honda ZR-V?

The ZR-V is bigger than a HR-V and smaller than a CR-V, especially the new-gen CR-V. The dimensions are 4567mm long, 1840mm wide and 1621mm tall. That's about the same size as a mid-size Mazda CX-5.

What does the Honda ZR-V look like?

Take a look at the video above and you'll see the ZR-V inside and out. If you can't do that right now take it from me: the ZR-V's styling is on the conservative side and lacks the adventurous designs we are seeing from Kia with the new Sportage, and Hyundai with its Tucson.

Still, the ZR-V looks modern and premium with wide-placed headlights and a muscular long bonnet that dips down into a small trapezoidal grille. A rounded tailgate and sleek headlights finish a look that I'd say is similar to Ford's Escape, especially from the front with that grille.

Cabin design stays true to Honda's minimal and somewhat conservative styling approach but everything from the door trims to the dashboard looks refined. Again, Honda isn't going to alienate anybody with this interior design, but nobody's probably going to lust over it either.

How much will the Honda ZR-V cost?

The ZR-V is expected to be priced to rival the likes of the Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4, so we're looking at between $40-$50K before on-road costs for a starting point.

Honda will announce pricing closer to the ZR-V's arrival but we do know that there will be four grades in the range: the entry-grade VTi X, then the VTi L, VTi LX and a hybrid called the e:HEV LX.

What standard features will the Honda ZR-V come with?

Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels on the entry grade and 18-inch alloys on the rest. Front and rear parking sensors, LED headlights, and a 9.0-inch media display with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay will be standard, too.

What engines will the Honda ZR-V come with?

The ZR-V will arrive with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and a petrol-electric hybrid that combines a 2.0-litre engine with two electric motors.

The 1.5-litre turbo petrol is used in other Honda models and makes up to 131kW/240Nm.

The 2.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid is used in the Civic e:HEV Hybrid and produces 133kW and 315Nm.

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) will be used for both the petrol variant and hybrid.

So there you have it - a quick guide to what we know about the Honda ZR-V. We'll keep you up to date on all ZR-V news as more details are announced closer to its mid-2023 Australian launch.