Honda Concerto Reviews

Honda has made a transformative global u-turn ditching its electric-car strategy to gamble on hybrids and it could have huge implications in Australia. The brand said it will reallocate resources towards a new hybrid strategy beginning in 2027. It will see 15 new hybrid models launched globally by 2030, with the North American market a priority. This does not necessarily mean other, smaller markets such as Australia will be ruled out from receiving these models down the track.This hybrid push could be timely for Honda Down Under as the brand grapples with New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) fines. The brand has already introduced several new hybrid models to combat NVES, including beefed up and more affordable hybrid lineups for the CR-V and ZR-V SUVs. EVs are still an area of interest for Honda, with the Super One city car launching soon.Honda will abandon the majority of ‘0 series’ EV plans globally, which were expected to get underway this year as part of its hybrid switch-up. While plans for the 0 Series mid-size SUV and Saloon EV concepts have been torn up, the local branch has not dismissed the remaining Alpha small SUV scheduled for launch next year.Honda has unveiled two concept models that will form the basis for its revamped hybrid strategy. A sedan and Acura SUV prototype. These cars will sit on an all-new platform and feature an electric all-wheel drive set-up. The brand hopes these models will cost 30 per cent less than the current generation of Honda hybrids. It is also aiming to improve fuel economy by more than 10 per cent.This substantial shift for Honda will require the Japanese giant to reconfigure its existing infrastructure to develop parts for the new hybrid vehicles. Its joint venture partnership with leading electronics manufacturer LG will now shift focus from EV battery production to hybrid battery production. Honda also said it will lean further into cost competitiveness opportunities from Chinese manufacturing - something many brands have embraced in an increasingly competitive market.

There was a time when Honda was considered by some (and itself) to be the Japanese version of BMW. Sporty, prestige cars that were distinctive and high-end. How things changed.Frankly, Honda lost its mojo somewhere around the turn of the century, and while there have been glimpses of that former aspirational brand, many of Honda’s products in the meantime have been cannon-fodder stuff. And into that mix, you could probably toss the CR-V.It’s not that the CR-V was a bad car, just that it lacked the old sparkle. The fifth generation of the CR-V SUV failed to change that perception or Honda’s unenviable sales trajectory.A shift to Thailand production didn’t help, either, and somehow the CR-V has struggled along. Which is not to say it isn’t worth a look as a used-car buy, because in terms of ride quality, cabin fit and finish and interior space relative to its exterior dimensions it’s still a Honda. In other areas, not so much…Dubbed internally the 'RW' series CR-V, this car was available in Australia in a bewildering range of models and driveline layouts. That started with the entry-level VTi which was a five-seater, front-wheel drive variant. The range then moved up to the better equipped VTi-S, still with five seats, but a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. The range-topper was the VTi-LX which was a five-seater and AWD only and then, just to confuse us, Honda also dropped the VTi-L into showrooms with its FWD platform but seven seats.Which ever variant you bought you got the same powertrain; a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine driving through a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Unless, of course, you bought the most affordable model which Honda quietly slipped into showrooms in 2019. Called the Vi, this was a stripped-out version designed to get a car on to the market at under $30,000, As a result, the turbo engine was dropped in favour of a gutless, low-tech SOHC 2.0-litre, four-cylinder with but 113kW. Add the same CVT auto and you had a recipe for humdrum.

China’s rise in Australia does not threaten the existence of Honda, the company says, as the historic brand highlights its solid model range, aftersales and heritage as points of difference to newer rivals.The comments come just weeks after BYD announced it was about to flood the Australian market with 30,000 new cars in the coming months, as it and other Chinese brands - namely GWM, Chery and MG - push further into Australia’s top 10 sales charts.China’s aggressive plans to be the world’s top automotive producer has already had some impact on Honda’s global plans.In a statement announcing the cancellation of the ‘0’ Series EVs in March, Honda said Chinese buyers’ shift of focus from hardware to software-based features and shorter model development cycles has “intensified the competition”.“In such a difficult competitive environment, Honda was unable to deliver products that offer value for money better than that of newer EV manufacturers, resulting in a decline in competitiveness.”When asked by CarsGuide if Japanese carmakers can still compete with China given the speed with which Chinese brands change tech and update models, Honda Australia Director - Automobiles Robert Thorp acknowledged China has “ a number of competitive advantages that they're rightly exploiting”.He said they’re doing a good job of bringing products to market and connecting with customers quickly, but added that Honda continues to be competitive in many areas.“Just because they have that, it doesn't actually mean we can't compete with that. We have other advantages within our global business, and even advantages here locally that we think that we need to exploit too. So we have a brand and a heritage that, in Australia, has been close to 60 years, globally, closer to 80, that is built on us demonstrating to customers that when you buy a Honda, we'll look after you.“Whether that's a vehicle, whether it's a motorcycle, whether that's a power product or a marine engine. And you can't build that trust overnight. It takes years and years,” he said at the 2026 CR-V launch.Thorp highlighted Honda’s strong points, some of which have been serious weak points for Chinese brands like BYD, GWM and MG.“You can't build the sort of supply chains that we have and the ability to look after customers long after they've built the vehicle. So that, you know, there's an absolute peace of mind. The relationship we have with our Honda centers and our network is built over a number of years, and the heritage and connection and emotional connection… we have with our customers, that's built over a number of years.”Aftersales and customer care has been an issue for many newer Chinese brands in Australia as sales growth outpaced companies’ ability to build parts distribution centres and supply chains. This left a lot of customers without parts and allowed frustration to build. Each of those brands is in the process of addressing the shortfall.Thorp explained how Honda’s reputation for quality and refinement will also ensure the brand remains competitive.“There's a quality in the drive and the quality of the vehicles that you can tangibly see and touch and feel, and you can see on the spec sheet, but there's those other elements that are harder to explain. It's that sort of feeling you get when you actually sit in a car and drive a Honda that I think allows us to hopefully demonstrate that, yeah, we actually have a number of winning features that allows us to compete.”“So whilst, yeah, it's tough, it's challenging, but we're very comfortable that with the total package that we can provide to our customers, we've got a compelling proposition that can succeed in this market.”If there was still any doubt about Honda’s long-term prospects, Thorp said Honda’s global HQ is “100 per cent” committed to the Australian market.Despite Honda’s current line-up receiving almost exclusively positive coverage from experts, and being loved by owners, Thorp admitted Honda still has work to do to get more people into its models.Asked what the reason more people aren’t buying Honda’s despite the impressive product and aftersales offering, Thorp said: “Look, there's a thousand things, and you can't really narrow it down to one or two, but it's a combination of factors.“Certainly our marketing, I think our marketing and our brand positioning, we maybe weren't skilled at that as what we should have been. And I think what we've been doing the last sort of 12-to-18 months, we've, we've basically brought in a brand new team. We've got internal experts. We've actually recast our agency partners. We're recutting our website, and I think that you're starting to see some of the fruits of that come through.”A new advertising and marketing campaign has just rolled out and Honda Australia has launched a much-improved new website. You can even buy a Honda online now.

Honda has continued its plan to make hybrids more accessible, with the brand dropping the price of entry to a hybrid ZR-V by roughly $10,000.The ZR-V will continue to be available with a base petrol variant priced from $39,900 (drive-away), which is more expensive than the outgoing petrol grade.The rest of the ZR-V line-up is now hybrid, ranging from $43,400 for the new e:HEV X up to $51,900 on the top-spec grade - which is a sizeable drop compared with the previous model.The ZR-V is positioned as a rival to the popular Hyundai Kona, available in petrol, hybrid and electric variants, as well as the hybrid-only Toyota Corolla Cross. The hybrid Kona (from $39,950) and Corolla Cross (from $37,440) are both cheaper than their Honda rival on paper, however their pricing is before on-road costs which can add up to $5000 to the price. Honda's pricing is drive-away which includes those costs.Power setups remain unchanged for the new model, with the 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine still producing 131kW/240Nm, while the 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid has 135kW and 315Nm.Inside, there is a 9.0-inch central touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital driver display, with an eight-speaker audio system.Cloth seats come as standard, but some up-spec models receive synthetic and synthetic leather seats. Much like the freshly launched CR-V, the 2026 ZR-V now gets Google Built-in with Google Maps, Play and voice command, as well as post-collision braking, the latest Honda Connect app and a safety system software upgrade.The ZR-V remains one of Honda’s best-selling models since its launch in 2023, along with the CR-V and HR-V SUVs.2026 Honda ZR-V pricing Australia 2026 Honda ZR-V engine and efficiency  2026 Honda ZR-V standard features Other standard features include: Synthetic leather steering wheelLeather wrapped gear shift knobDual-zone climate controlAuto-dimming rearview mirrorKeyless entry and start eHEV X adds: 18-inch alloy wheelseHEV L adds:Privacy glassHands free power tailgateHeated door mirrorsHeated front seatsSynthetic leather and fabric seatseHEV LX adds: Smart keyWireless phone chargerPower adjustable and memory driver seatHeated rear outer seatsHeated steering wheelSports pedals12-speaker premium Bose sound systemDigital radio 2026 Honda ZR-V safetyThe Honda ZR-V has a four-star ANCAP safety rating. Standard safety features include: Blind spot monitoringRear cross traffic alertForward collision warningLane departure warningLane keep assistTraffic jam assistAdaptive cruise controlTraffic sign recognition  2026 Honda ZR-V dimensions 2026 Honda ZR-V warranty and servicingThe Honda ZR-V comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty. It is available with a five-year capped price servicing plan, valued at $199 per increment. 

Honda Australia says it has not been greatly impacted by the recent cancellation of the ‘0’ series EVs.The Japanese carmaker announced in March that it was pulling the pin on three new EVs it had already developed - the striking Honda 0 Saloon, 0 SUV and the related Acura RSX. Set to be built in the US, the two 0 models were earmarked for Australia and other global markets.But just before it started production Honda released a statement saying it "determined that starting production and sales of these three models in the current business environment where the demand for EVs is declining significantly would likely result in further losses over the long term”.About two weeks after that announcement, Honda confirmed its long-planned partnership with Sony to build an EV under the new Afeela banner had also been abandoned.Honda Australia Director, Automotive, Robert Thorp said the global decision to drop the 0 Series models was “in response to a whole multitude of factors”, and while the Saloon and SUV were being seriously considered for Australia, they were predominantly for North America.The changing EV landscape in the US under President Donald Trump was one major factor in the decision.However, there are still Honda EVs in the global catalogue that the Australian arm is keen on, including the 0 Series Alpha revealed at last year’s Tokyo motor show.“The remaining vehicle, being the Alpha, which is still part of the product plan globally, is probably going to be more of an Asian-led vehicle. And therefore the decisions to keep that are a little bit different. And certainly for us, we're considering putting our hand up for that,” he told CarsGuide.“And so for us, that's still a potential option for us. And I think that, from that perspective, EVs aren't completely off. It's just really trying to prioritise the investments and where it could be. So for those being North America, for us locally, those models, whilst we put our hand up for those two, they were only ever going to be niche in many respects. So whilst it's a disappointment that we can't potentially access them, they don't fundamentally change our long-term plans or strategies.”The production version of the 0 Alpha is expected to go on sale in Japan and India next year, meaning if it gets the green light for Australia it probably won’t be until 2028 at the earliest.Honda only recently confirmed its first EV for Australia, the tiny 3.6m long and 1.6m wide Japanese Super-One hatchback. Honda is keeping pricing and mechanical details of the Super-One a secret for now, but reports suggest a driving range of about 274km, meaning it is definitely a city-focused EV and will be a niche seller.But another global Honda EV the Australian arm is looking at is the recently revealed, reborn Insight.Up to now the Insight was a hybrid model across three generations, but the fourth-gen version is a mid-size liftback/crossover BEV with driving range of up to 535km (WLTC).When asked if Honda Australia was considering any of Honda’s Chinese-made EVs, and the Insight more specifically, Thorp said “we're constantly scanning the globe for product in the Honda portfolio”.“And if it makes sense and it ticks enough boxes, (those) boxes being can we actually physically bring it to market? Can we make it compliant? Does it actually meet consumer demand? Can we get a volume that's sustainable, etc, etc, etc. Any model that can tick enough of those boxes we’ll always put a hand up and ask for.”Thorp said the cancellation of 0 Series models has not had a major impact on the company’s preparation for the Federal Government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).“Any change we make, there's an impact. You know whether, if it's 70 per cent hybrid sales to 80 per cent hybrid sales, that has an impact. The date we bring in Super-One and we bring that to market has an impact. Having ‘0’ series in the future or not has an impact. But the variables are numerous and ever changing.“I will say, though, that our current plans and a strategy which have been in place for a long time, with the knowledge of what the NVES parameters are, we're very comfortable that our plan, in the material sense, works.”

Honda’s CR-V has a long history in Australia. The mid-size family SUV doesn’t sell in the numbers it used to, but it’s one of the best cars in its class. And it just got more appealing. Honda has dropped all but two petrol grades and increased the number of hybrid grades from one to four. Is that enough to hold off the new Toyota RAV4?

Honda will follow Toyota’s lead by going hybrid only in Australia in the not-too-distant future.Until recently the Japanese carmaker has only offered single high-spec hybrid grades across most of its model lines, including Civic, HR-V, ZR-V and CR-V. But it’s in the process of ramping up the number of hybrid model grades, given the market’s clear shift to electrification.In late 2024 Honda boosted the number of hybrid grades of the Civic small hatch and HR-V small SUV from one to two each, while the updated CR-V goes on sale this month with four available hybrid grades. The ZR-V will follow suit in the next couple of months, too.Honda Australia Director, Automotive, Robert Thorp confirmed the plan to go hybrid only, with the plan set to kick in from sometime next year.“First answer is, yes, I don't have a definitive time, but I will say it's probably not too far away. It's not too far away at all. I'd say somewhere between 27/28 to be honest, it'll be 100 per cent hybrid,” he told journalists at the recent 2026 CR-V launch.“Whilst we've got our line-up set and our plans set, it is always subject to change, you know? So you can lock these things in, but you have to make those adjustments strategically when markets shift or consumer preferences shift, or whatever that may be. So it's hard to be super definitive of a time period when that would be but I'd say within the next 12-18 months, it's likely all of our line-up will be hybrid in nature.”Toyota went hybrid only on all non-performance-focused passenger cars, and all monocoque SUVs in mid-2024. That meant Yaris, Yaris Cross, Corolla, Corolla Cross, C-HR, Camry, RAV4 and Kluger shifted to petrol-electric power only.Honda’s petrol range currently consists of one base HR-V grade, two CR-Vs and three ZR-Vs, but again, the ZR-V line-up will change imminently.The Accord mid-size sedan and soon-to-arrive Prelude coupe are both offered as single-grade hybrid models. And the sold-out Civic Type R hot hatch won’t be impacted.While the hybrid focus makes sense, don’t expect to see increasingly popular plug-in hybrid tech roll out across Honda’s line-up anytime soon.A PHEV version of the CR-V is offered in some markets, including right-hand-drive countries like the UK, but when asked about this, Thorp said:“Probably too early to say.”Given the age of the current CR-V - it was revealed in mid-2022 and went on sale locally in late 2023 - CarsGuide believes Honda Australia will hold off on a PHEV version until the next-gen version, which is still a few years away.Honda has dropped most of the petrol grades from the updated 2026 CR-V, with just two on offer compared with four hybrids. The carmaker is expecting 85 per cent of CR-V sales this year to be hybrid.It also anticipates overall sales to be 80 per cent hybrid as well.

Honda has become the first Japanese car manufacturer to offer a Chinese-built model for sale in its domestic market.The all-new Honda Insight, a mid-size, pure-electric crossover has been produced in right-hand drive at the joint-venture Dongfeng Honda plant in Wuhan, China.Riding on the same ‘e:N Architecture F’ front-wheel drive platform as the Honda e:NS2 it’s based on, the Insight is powered by a 150kW/310Nm permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, the compact five-seater using a 68.8kWh NMC battery and boasting a WLTC-rated range of 535km.Claimed 20 to 80 per cent charge time is approximately 40 minutes on a ‘standard’ 50kW charger.At close to 4.8 metres long, a bit over 1.8m wide and just under 1.6m tall the fourth-generation EV is appreciably larger than its hybrid predecessor, last seen in Australia over a decade ago.Offered in a single variant, the Insight features an ‘Intelligent Heating System’ (coordinating cabin, seat and steering wheel heating), 12-speaker Bose audio, genuine leather trim, an aroma diffuser, ambient lighting, a 12.8-inch central media screen, 9.4-inch driver information display, an 11.5-inch head-up display, multi-view camera system, an integrated dashcam, a slide and tilt glass sunroof, LED active cornering lights, 18-inch alloy rims and ‘Honda Sensing’ active safety.Given the Insight’s RHD availability CarsGuide contacted Honda Australia for comment on the car’s potential for local sale and a spokesperson said, "We’re constantly evaluating options from Honda’s global line up which we feel would be suited to our Australian customers however we do not have any new models to announce just yet."Japanese pricing of ¥5,500,000 (~$48,100) means if it did come to Australia the Insight would offer an interesting alternative to premium mid-size EV SUVs like the Deepal S07 (from $53,990), Hyundai Elexio (from $58,990), KGM Torres EVX (58,000, drive-away), Leapmotor C10 EV (from $49,888), Renault Scenic E-Tech (from $55,990) and Skoda Elroq (from $47,990). Speaking to Nikkei Asia about the car’s likely appeal to Japanese buyers, Honda Head of Development development Kunihiro Koike said, “We manage the Insight's quality according to global standards."We will continue to consider introducing vehicles manufactured overseas into the domestic market," he said.

Australia is facing a used-car market black hole.With the number of affordable new small-car options shrinking annually due to more-expensive SUVs, so too will be the number of affordable used small-car options.Unless there is a big uptick in new small-car production, stocks will continue to contract, putting significant upward pressure on used-car prices.We’re already seeing this affordability catastrophe unfold. And the numbers tell a sobering story.The great small-car cullSince 2016, Australia has gone from having over 40 new light and small car options under $30,000 (in today’s money), to just 10 right now – and falling. And even if you add the proliferation of cheap new small SUVs (mostly from China), that only adds another 10. That’s a 50 per cent drop right there.This means that there will be far fewer affordable used smaller cars to go around as we head towards the 2030s and beyond.Or, in other words, Australia will soon run very low on affordable, low-mileage second-hand small cars under 10 years old, adding substantially to the cost-of-living pressures for many people who cannot or won't buy new.Since 2020, we’re already seen Toyota, Ford and Honda drop their sub-$20,000 models, namely the (non-hybrid) Yaris, Fiesta and Jazz hatchbacks respectively, creating a void filled by new Chinese brands MG, GWM and BYD.In Ford’s case, its cheapest new passenger vehicle in 2026 is the Everest Ambiente 4WD SUV from $58,990 (before on-road costs), having also abandoned the Puma and Focus, as well as the larger Mondeo, Escape and Endura, since the start of this decade.Why the small-car cull? A long-term sales slide against SUVs, coupled with the massive investment required in electric vehicles (EVs) to meet coming legislated zero-emissions targets, stalled decades of on-going small-car development and evolution.Some industry analysts even believe that the middle of last decade was the era of “peak small-car”, as defined the highly-successful Volkswagen Mk7 Golf – a model widely considered superior to its 2020 Mk8 successor.It’s been reported that VW cancelled scores of new-model projects in the aftermath of 2015’s Dieselgate emissions-cheating scandal, including shelving an advanced redesign of the Golf in favour of today’s reskin, pivoting instead to EVs to help atone for the disaster.Others seem to have followed suit. In fact, if you look at today’s remaining small cars, most sit on architectures that date back to last decade.The Mazda 3’s debuted in 2013; the Peugeot 308 in 2014; Subaru Impreza and Honda Civic in 2016; the Hyundai i30 in 2017; Toyota Corolla in 2018; and Kia K4 in 2020.Defying depreciationIncredibly, some high-quality used small cars with a few years under their belts are holding their value to an almost comical degree, especially with fewer than 100,000km.A 2016 Mazda 2 auto from $16,990 when new is still worth at least $13,000 today – and some lower-mileage examples match the original price. Likewise, a 2018 Honda Civic VTi from $22,390 is still a $20,000-plus proposition.But nothing beats the Toyota hybrid phenomenon.A 2019 Corolla Hybrid that new started from $25,870 is likely to cost upwards of $24,000 today, with some even nudging $30,000 in the right colour and specification.And a 2021 Yaris SX hybrid from $27,020 new… is still very nearly that amount today at its lowest point, even with 70,000km on the clock, meaning owners could be making a profit after all these years. Great news for them. Bad news for used-car buyers today.Your cheap choicesThe only quality, reliable and economical used small cars currently priced in the $10,000 to $15,000 bracket are now mostly older (pre-2015), higher-mileage (150,000km-plus) or ex-repairable write-offs (including flood/hail damaged cars, since fixed). Do not risk buying the latter.Otherwise, Australian used small-car buyers must roll the dice on niche European brands with (albeit at-times unfounded) reputations for expensive maintenance costs, orphaned Holdens like the (ex-Opel) Astra or newer Chinese small cars with below-par safety and/or driving dynamics, like a pre-2024, previous-generation MG 3.Unfortunately, with spiking fuel prices, hybrids are completely out of the question under $15,000 unless it’s a 15-year-old-plus Toyota or Honda with moon-shot mileages and/or ex-ride-share taxis.Finding a cheap used SUV alternativeSo, it is logical to conclude that, while the number of new small car options is declining, there must be more small SUV choices, right?Not for budget buyers in the sub-$15,000 bracket, sadly.Quality, second-hand smaller SUVs and crossovers are also pricing themselves out of reach for lower-income groups and younger drivers seeking inexpensive yet reliable vehicles.Consider the case of a seven-year-old Mazda CX-3 or Suzuki Vitara 1.6 with reasonably-low mileage (under 100,000km).These current-shape models have been chosen as two of the better and more-reputable small SUVs on offer, due to their uncomplicated non-turbo engines and robust torque-converter automatics, instead of the usually problematic continuously variable transmission (CVT) or dual-clutch transmission (DCT) found in most alternatives.A 2019 CX-3 auto that cost $23,790 new (which is about $30,000 adjusted for inflation today) currently retails for between $20,000 and $25,000 depending on condition. Again, depreciation-defying.Likewise, a 2019 Vitara 1.6L 2WD that cost $24,490 new (about $32,500 in 2026 money) is still commanding between $19,000 and $25,000 today if well-maintained. We’re talking about seven-year-old models here.Little wonder consumers are forced into newer brands from China with long warranties and shiny touchscreens but unproven long-term reliability, resale and access to genuine spare parts/labour.The bottom line is that a generation of consumers seeking a cheap and economical used small car will be left wanting.At 18, Baby Boomers had their decade-old Datsun 1600s and Volkswagen Beetles; Gen X its Ford Lasers and Holden Geminis; and Millennials their Hyundai Excels and Mazda 323s to rely upon.What will next-gen used-car buyers be able to afford?

The Japanese sports car revival is almost complete.Honda has confirmed the price of its new Prelude ahead of its arrival in Australia in the coming months where it will take on the Toyota GR86, Subaru BRZ, Nissan Z and Mazda MX-5 in a suddenly jam-packed affordable sports car category.Available in a single grade, the Prelude is priced at $65,000, drive-away, which is cheaper than Nissan’s twin-turbo V6 Z but more expensive than the other trio.The Prelude is based on the current Honda Civic and gets the same hybrid set-up as its more family-friendly sibling.Honda Australia boss Robert Thorp said the Prelude stays true to the original.“The 2026 Prelude is a bold reinterpretation of an iconic driver’s car for the hybrid era, developed from the same dreams with the same spirit and ambition as the first Prelude back in 1978,” said Thorp.The Prelude is powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine that makes 104kW/182Nm, paired with an electric motor that is good for 135kW and 315N and helps drive the front wheels. Combined power is a claimed 149kW, which is more grunt than the Civic’s identical set-up pumps out.One of the new Prelude's headline features is the 'S+ Shift', which simulates the sound and feel of an eight speed transmission via a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).Honda claims the tech delivers the power kick during real gear changes and can mimic engine braking.There are also features borrowed from the red hot Civic Type R such as dual-axis strut front suspension, and it has Brembo brakes and a wider track for increased stability.Honda backs its vehicles with a five year/unlimited km warranty and five years' roadside assistance. A capped price servicing plan costs just $199 per visit for the first five intervals.Full Australian details will be revealed soon.