Behind the wheel of the relatively new Honda ZR-V, more specifically the top
spec ZR-V hybrid – a 2.0-litre petrol/electric hybrid with a combined output of
135kW and torque of 315Nm. – power to the front wheels via a CVT continuously
variable automatic. The Honda ZR-V hybrid the most expensive of the four model
ZR-V range, $54,990 drive-away, some $6,400 more expensive to the same spec’d
pure petrol VTi LX model. So does the hybrid’s economy return a suitable saving
given this initial hefty purchase price. The good news, the ZR-V hybrid requires a
diet of 91 grade petrol, Honda suggesting it returns 5.2L/100 on the combined
city/country drive cycle, some 2L/100 better than the pure petrol models.
Certainly its hard to justify the hybrid price purely on that saving but the drive
experience and features make up the difference – 30 per cent more torque to the
pure petrol models, its super quiet, smooth and polished with three available
drive modes and highly equipped apart from two areas – no spare wheel due to
the battery underfloor at the rear, a tyre repair kit simply inadequate today while
for some reason the power passenger seat has not seat height adjustment.
Service costs every 10,000k’ s just $199 a visit.

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