With Honda's next-gen CR-V set to creep up in size the Japanese maker needs a new SUV model fill the gap between it and the smaller HR-V.
Enter the ZR-V, an all-new model aimed squarely at Mazda's evergreen CX-5 with hybrid options designed to lift the brand back into the semi-premium territory it occupied in the 1990s.
The line-up currently starts at $37,900 for the ZR-V Vti X+ and ranges through to $54,900 for the range-topping ZR-V E:Hev Lx.
The 2026 Honda ZR-V's interior comes equipped with a 9.0-inch central touchscreen multimedia system that operates with Google Built-in. There's also wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. A 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster also comes standard across the line-up.
The 2026 Honda ZR-V, depending on the trim level, comes in Crystal Black, Seabed Blue, Meteoroid Grey, Crystal Garnet and Platinum White exterior paint colours.
The 2026 Honda ZR-V comes with adaptive LED headlights, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, 9.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system and dual-zone climate control across the line-up. The e:HEV X gains larger 18-inch alloy wheels, a 'Sport' drive mode, push-button gear selector and paddle shifters for the regenerative braking. The e:HEV L gets a hands-free power tailgate, rear privacy glass, heated front seats, as well as black synthetic leather and fabric upholstery. The top-spec e:HEV LX gets a 12-speaker Bose sound system, front footwell ambient lighting, a heated steering wheel, eight-way powered driver's seat and leather-appointed upholstery as well as a surround-view camera.
The 2026 Honda ZR-V VTi X is powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine that produces 131kW and 240Nm. All the hybrid trims however have a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors with total system outputs of 135kW and 315Nm.
The 2026 Honda ZR-V comes with a five-seat configuration. The entry-level VTi X and e:HEV X come with two-tone fabric upholstery, the e:HEV L gets black synthetic leather and fabric upholstery, and the e:HEV LX gets black leather-appointed upholstery. The front seats in the e:HEV L and e:HEV LX are heated, while the rear outboard seats are heated in the top-spec e:HEV LX.
All versions of the 2026 Honda ZR-V besides the e:HEV LX offers 380L of boot space with the rear seats upright. The top-spec e:HEV LX offers 370L instead due to the placement of the Bose subwoofer. With the rear seats folded there's 1312L of boot space, whereas the e:HEV LX has 1302L.
The 2026 Honda ZR-V doesn't have an official 0-100km/h sprint time in either petrol or hybrid guises. Both should do it in under 10 seconds. Neither have an official top speed either, but they should be able to travel at least 150km/h.
All versions of the 2026 Honda ZR-V have a 57L fuel tank which requires a minimum of 91 RON regular unleaded petrol. The VTi X petrol trim is claimed to consume 7.0L/100km on the combined cycle, according to ADR 81/02 testing, whereas all the hybrid trims are claimed to consume 5.0L/100km. This allows for a theoretical total range of 814km with the petrol engine and 1140km with the hybrid engine.