Honda ZR-V News

Honda Australia has been called out for leaving vital safety gear off Australian vehicles.

Honda has announced an extended warranty.

Honda Australia now offers blind-spot monitoring (BSM) and rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA) as $400-$800 options on lower trim versions of its CR-V and ZR-V mid-size SUVs.Buyers are able to order the new variants now, with them complementing the existing range. There are no other price changes.The additional safety equipment will aid Honda's pair of SUVs in the fight against the Nissan X-Trail, Mitsubishi Outlander, Toyota RAV4 and Volkswagen Tiguan.For the ZR-V, the VTi X remains price leader at $39,500 drive-away while the new RCTA and BSM equipped VTi X+ increases that to $39,900.The mid-spec VTi L remains at $42,500 and the VTi L+ ($42,900) retains the same $400 price increase.The Higher trim VTi LX and e:HEV LX variants were already fitted as standard with the tech and therefore do not change.Only the base CR-V VTi X ($43,900 drive-away) was previously not fitted with the equipment. In five-seat guise, the VTi X+ is $800 dearer at $44,700. The seven-seat version is not available with the extra pack.All the additional variants use Honda's 140kW/240Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder paired with a CVT automatic. The upper trim 'e:HEV' hybrid models are already equipped with the safety equipment.Honda Australia has not said the ZR-V VTi X, VTi LX or CR-V VTi X will be discontinued however it did mention that "stock availability of these variants will be limited."There is also an end of financial year offer of an eight-year and unlimited kilometre warranty as well as eight years of premium roadside assist for those who order any ZR-V, a 2023 build CR-V petrol or 2024 build CR-V hybrid.

Honda Australia is about to seriously ramp up its hybrid offering, with the focus on more affordable petrol-electric grades of key models.

Here are my personal and somewhat subjective Top 5 Cars of 2023... and in alphabetical order, because – like reading – objectivity is fundamental.

The automotive industry is in a period of such rapid change that the definition of what constitutes a ‘good’ car is also quickly shifting.You could carve up the market on value, performance, styling, safety and any other number of ways to determine what is a winner and what is a loser – the possibilities are nearly endless!But this is my list of the top five cars I’ve driven this year and, as a boy racer at heart, these are the handful of vehicles that have sparked the most joy in 2023.Though the Civic Type R might not the fastest, cheapest or most raucous hot hatch available in Australia, the mighty Honda might be the perfect performance pocket rocket.And that’s because it balances all elements of a hot hatch so supremely well.There’s the practicality side of things to consider, and with my week with the Type R, it was the perfect companion to drop off and pick-up the toddler from childcare.The latest generation Civic has also elevated its fit and finish to truly semi-premium levels, and the Type R takes that further thanks to bucket seats, an Alcantara steering wheel and sunroof.Finally, the engine is just so divine, with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol powertrain punching out a sizeable 235kW/420Nm that is fed to the front wheels via a slick-shifting six-speed manual gearbox.But what clinches it for the Civic is just how poised it is dynamically - especially shocking for a front-drive performance car.The backend feels like it rotates around in a corner, and the feedback and feel from the steering is only matched from something wearing a Porsche badge.Worth $72,600 drive-away asking price? You betcha.Timing is everything, and in my time with the Huracan STO my experience was truly special.And it’s not just because it’s a limited-edition, hardcore, mid-engine supercar designed to be more athletic than its ‘standard’ Huracan peers.The Huracan STO ended up being the first car I reviewed after the birth of my second child, and after four months of sleepless nights, nappy changes and Uber Eats, this Lambo was a hell of a reintroduction into automotive journalism.On paper, the Huracan STO pushes out 470kW/565Nm from its 5.2-litre V10 engine, but in reality, it’s so much more special than that.As a harder-edged version of the long-running Huracan, Lamborghini has dialled in its entry-level mid-engine supercar to razor-sharp precision.And with a gargantuan $596,000 before on-road costs price tag, I might have babied the Huracan STO more than my actual baby, but with its bright orange paintwork and ear-splitting exhaust, there was no escaping the allure of the Huracan STO.While I have driven nearly every other electric car available in Australia before, the Cupra Born was the first that made me seriously consider buying one.For starters, the Born looks futuristic without being ugly like some other EVs available in Australia, while it also blends performance with practicality thanks to its five-door hatchback body style.Don’t believe the marketing though, the Cupra Born is not an electric hot hatch – it’s much more of a warm one, but that’s no bad thing.With 170kW/310Nm from a single electric motor feeding the rear wheels, this tailpipe emissions-free Cupra is a hoot to drive, but certainly doesn’t come close to the thrills of something like a Honda Civic Type R or even a Hyundai i30 N.What seals the deal however, is the massive 82kWh battery pack, which enables a driving range of around 500km, meaning you could genuinely only charge the Born once a week and be fine with commuting - depending where you live.All this for under $60,000 makes the Cupra Born a very appealing package, and an EV that the many people can actually afford.Mazda has made a lot of noise about marching more upmarket, and this move was meant to be shepherded by the CX-60.However, the mid-size SUV based on the new platform with new engines ended up feeling a little underbaked… but the CX-90 large SUV addresses all of those concerns.As Mazda’s new flagship model, you’d expect it to feel premium, polished and poised on the road, and the CX-90 nails all three with panache.The interior, at least in the top-spec Azami with Takumi pack, is not only the best designed at this price point, it also makes German contenders look like drab and dreary.The 3.3-litre inline six-cylinder engines, in both petrol and diesel forms, are also fantastic, and paired to the new eight-speed automatic ensure a smooth driving experience.Sure, the ride is a little bit harsh, but the trade-off for that is taught, tight and engaging dynamics – characteristics seldom seen in any SUV, let alone a large one with three-rows of seating.The big caveat here however, is that the CX-90 is expensive – the test car I had was $100,000 – so this new Mazda might not be for everyone.What’s this? Another Honda on the list? You better believe it!The Japanese car manufacturer has been on an absolute hot steak recently with the new-generation Civic and HR-V both impressing in terms of quality and comfort, and the all-new ZR-V is no different.As a mid-size SUV (albeit a smaller one), the ZR-V has to stack up against the likes of the popular Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5, and boy howdy, does it!With confident styling on the outside and a quality, well-built interior on the inside, the ZR-V impresses from the get go.However, it’s the driving dynamics that are a welcome surprise, because the ZR-V actually feels… dare I say… fun behind the wheel?There’s a level of engagement and feedback that feels just right for an everyday grocery getter, making trips into the city office less dull.And I didn’t even drive the hybrid version, which by all accounts, feels even better!Do yourself a favour if you are looking for a family SUV, don’t sleep on the Honda ZR-V.

Much like most other manufacturers, Honda’s stock levels have been up and down since the pandemic, and while supply has improved on some key models, it’s the hybrids and hot hatches that still have lengthy wait lists.

If you’ve bought a new car recently you’re probably aware of how insanely competitive the Australian new-vehicle market is. Right now there are just shy of 50 car brands all vying for your attention, and there are more on the way.

Honda Australia is confident that the arrival of the all-new ZR-V and new-generation CR-V will lead it back to sales success.

Honda has revealed that demand for its all-new ZR-V e:HEV is so great that the order books are full until December for the range-topping model. Which is why the Japanese brand is already planning an expanded hybrid line-up.