What's the difference?
Honda used to be a big deal in Australia back in the 1990s and early 2000s but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s moved off your radar in recent years.
The Japanese carmaker has seemingly fallen out of favour in the last few years following its move to an agency retail model which negates haggling on price with dealers.
However, Honda is making a resurgence and it’s putting a heavier focus on hybrid power.
The ZR-V small-to-medium SUV has been updated for 2026 and picks up new, more affordable hybrid trims, among other minor tweaks. Read on to see if this car should be on your shortlist.
The Skoda Kamiq might be one of Australia’s most underrated vehicles.
As you may or, more likely, may not know, the Kamiq crossover has always been positioned to compete with mainstream players like the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3 and Subaru Crosstrek in its own quirky way, which we’ve always quite liked here at CarsGuide.
That’s some tough competition, though, so what does this Skoda do differently to deserve your attention, what’s changed for this year’s update, and do we still think this Skoda should be on your shopping list if you’re considering those other cars?
Read on and we’ll find out.
The Honda ZR-V has always been an engaging and fun car that’s the right size for many people. The frugal hybrid powertrain has always been the pick too.
It’s great that Honda has finally introduced more affordable hybrid trims with this update which addresses one of my biggest criticisms of this car previously.
If you’re willing to forgo some luxury features, this entry-level hybrid trim is a fantastic car that still offers enough creature comforts to be driven daily.
Hopefully Honda has some renewed sales success with this car as I believe it’s a clear benchmark for the segment.
The Skoda Kamiq continues to be an overlooked gem. It’s cleverly designed and well equipped, even in base form, and what sets it apart from many other dull options in this segment is how fun it can be to drive.
Despite all of this and keen ownership terms it continues to account for a tiny number of sales in the segment, and I don’t think it’s destined to change as, value or not, its positioning remains the same in a small SUV space where it’s increasingly hard to stand out.
Still, for those who dare to choose something different, there’s a great little car to be found.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.