Honda launched the ZR-V on Friday, April 21, 2023. There are two engines to choose from: a gasoline engine and a hybrid engine. We’ll explain in detail the fuel economy of the ZR-V, the differences between the hybrid and gasoline engines, and the differences between grades. We hope this information will be helpful when making your purchase.
Honda New ZR-V Price and Grade
Looking at the price, I think it’s very reasonable, even considering the equipment and class. The gasoline “X” grade is priced at a whopping 3 million yen, a very strategic price point. The e:HEV is equipped with a newly developed 2.0L direct-injection engine, the first in a Honda SUV in Japan (as of November 2022, according to Honda). The combination with the two-motor hybrid system provides smooth acceleration, powerful acceleration, a linear, clear sound that responds to acceleration, and excellent quietness. It delivers a high-quality, exhilarating ride. The gasoline version employs a 1.5L direct-injection VTEC TURBO engine. The precise throttle response, combined with the engine sound, will demonstrate high performance in a variety of situations, including high-speed driving and re-accelerating from corners.
| grade | engine | transmission |
Drive system |
Price (10%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X e:HEV | 2.0L DOHC i-VTEC + 2-motor hybrid |
Electric continuously variable transmission |
2WD | 3,298,900 yen |
| 4WD | 3,518,900 yen | |||
| Z e:HEV | 2WD | 3,899,500 yen | ||
| 4WD | 4,119,500 yen | |||
| X | 1.5L direct injection VTEC TURBO |
Continuously variable automatic (with torque converter) |
2WD | 2,949,100 yen |
| 4WD | 3,169,100 yen | |||
| Z | 2WD | 3,548,600 yen | ||
| 4WD | 3,768,600 yen |
The higher-grade “Z” and “e:HEV Z” models are equipped with many of the features you’d definitely want, such as a “BOSE Premium Sound System (12 speakers),” “Heated seats (driver’s seat/passenger seat/left and right rear seats (4WD vehicles)),” “Heated steering wheel,” “Genuine leather seats,” “Driving position system (seat memory),” and “LED active cornering lights.” The price difference is easily justified by the equipment.
44th 2023-2024 Japan Car of the Year
The Honda ZR-V won the 2023-2024 Japan Car of the Year award, coming in third behind the Toyota Prius and BMW X1. The selection committee praised the car, saying, “It’s well-balanced in all aspects: overall build quality, power performance, fuel economy, safety and comfort features, and cost performance.” They also commented, “The ZR-V was chosen as the most well-balanced model based on visibility, ease of driving, packaging, comfort, active and passive safety, and environmental performance.”
44th 2023-2024 Japan Car of the Year Nominees Announced
Toyota Prius wins 44th Japan Car of the Year Award 2023-2024
Features of the new SUV “ZR-V”
It uses Honda’s latest ” digital meter .”
The exterior adopts a new generation brand design
Equipped with a hybrid (e:HEV)
Adopts the Honda Digital Key , which allows your smartphone to act as a key .
Adopts a ” 9-inch Honda CONNECT Honda display .” Equipped with ” Honda CONNECT, ” an in-vehicle communication module exclusive to Honda vehicles. “Honda Total Care Premium” is available.
Based on the grand concept of “Unique Liberation,” the ZR-V was developed to unleash the individuality of customers and create a car that lifts the spirits like a favorite outfit. With a beautiful and sophisticated design based on the keywords “glamorous and elegant,” and dynamic performance aimed at maneuvering at will, the ZR-V offers new value to SUVs as a car that gives drivers confidence and ease.
The exterior design is fresh for a Honda.
This model is positioned exactly between the Japanese “Vezel” and “CR-V,” and its front view is characterized by a bold grille and sharp headlights, with proportions that flow smoothly into the rear, expressing a high-quality and sophisticated design. I got the impression that this design is more focused on luxury than sportiness, which is something Honda has never done before. I felt that the front end was particularly well thought out.
Honda ZR-V fuel economy data
Fuel economy for gasoline vehicles (2WD) is WLCT mode: 14.5-14.6km/L (11.6km)
Hybrid vehicle (2WD) fuel economy is WLCT mode fuel economy 22.0-22.1km/L (17.2km)
( ) is approximate actual fuel consumption
| Specifications | New ZR-V e:HEV |
New ZR-V Z |
|---|---|---|
| full length | 4,570mm | 4,570mm |
| Overall width | 1,840mm | 1,840mm |
| Overall height | 1,620mm | 1,620mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,680mm | 2,680mm |
| engine | 2.0L inline 4 DOHC i-VTEC + 2 motor hybrid |
1.5L direct injection VTEC TURBO engine |
| Maximum power | 104kW (141ps) / 6,200rpm |
131kW (178ps) / 6,000rpm |
| Maximum torque | 182Nm (18.6kgm) / 4,500rpm |
240Nm (24.5kgm) / 1,700-4,500rpm |
| Motor maximum output | 135kW (184PS) / 5,000-6,000rpm |
– |
| Motor Max Torque | 315Nm (32.1kgf･m) / 0-2000rpm |
– |
transmission |
Electric continuously variable transmission |
CVT + paddle shift |
| Drive system |
2WD (FF)/ Real Time AWD |
2WD (FF)/ Real Time AWD |
| Passenger capacity | 5 people | 5 people |
| WLTC mode fuel economy |
22.0km/L – 22.1km/L (2WD) 21.5km/L – 21.7km/L (4WD) |
14.5km/L – 14.6km/L (2WD) 13.9km/L (4WD) |
How to recoup your investment with the Honda ZR-V Hybrid
This was a very difficult question when considering fuel economy and price. When comparing both grades “Z”, the gasoline model is 3,648,700 yen and the hybrid model is 3,999,600 yen, a difference of 350,900 yen . Furthermore, the hybrid car is eligible for an eco-car tax reduction of about 30,000 yen, so the total difference is about 320,900 yen.
Here we will calculate the cost of gasoline, and examine how much you need to drive to make up for the gasoline cost of approximately 380,900 yen. Based on the actual fuel consumption listed above,
Fuel economy for gasoline vehicles (2WD) is calculated as WLCT mode fuel economy: 14.5km/L (11.6km/L) Fuel economy for hybrid vehicles (2WD) is calculated as WLCT mode fuel economy: 22.0km/L (17.2km/L).
If gasoline price is 165 yen per liter
Gasoline model 10,000km = 142,241 yen
Hybrid car 10,000km = 95,930 yen
The difference is 46,311 yen after driving 10,000 km, so the difference is 416,799 yen after driving 90,000 km, so it finally pays off. Just because it’s a hybrid car doesn’t mean it’s an easy choice.
Even if you consider that you’re likely to sell your new car after about five years or 100,000km, choosing a hybrid car will cost an additional 82,210 yen. Just because it’s a hybrid doesn’t mean you can choose it lightly. Furthermore, in the case of the ZR-V, there’s no difference in the exterior design from a hybrid, so you can’t be too proud of it.
About ZR-V body colors
- Premium Crystal Garnet Metallic★1
- Nordic Forest Pearl
- Super Platinum Gray Metallic★2
- Platinum White Pearl★2
- Crystal Black Pearl
- Premium Crystal Blue Metallic★1
- Midnight Blue Beam Metallic★2
★Body color marked with 1 is 60,500 yen
★2 mark body color is 38,500 yen
Conclusion Summary
In terms of pricing, both the hybrid and gasoline models feel cheap considering their equipment and specifications. What’s even more surprising is that the price difference between the hybrid and gasoline models is only around 300,000 yen. A while ago, there was a difference of about 1 million yen, but now the difference isn’t that great, so I feel like we’re living in an age where it doesn’t matter which one you choose. If you can afford it, I recommend choosing the “hybrid” grade.
Honda
