A true car review is not just about how a car looks and performs but about how it responds to life as you lead it. Going with you to the market, sticking with your family weekend plans, dropping friends at the airport… Unfortunately, that isn’t practical always but with the new Honda ZR-V, I did get the chance for a live-in relationship. 50 days with the ZR-V uncovers everything you wanted to know about Honda’s new 5-seater SUV, which includes a few things you must know if you are a buyer.

The Design: Right-sized in stunning colours

As the CR-V moved into the 7-seater space, Honda made way for the ZR-V. My test car looked cool in blue, often drawing looks when I stopped. (Interestingly, some people who share my building’s parking lot referred to it as “the electric blue car” even though Honda calls this paintwork ‘still night blue’. Another stunner is the ‘radiant red metallic’.

The Honda ZR-V is almost 4.6 m long with a 2.65 m wheelbase. Though compact, the size appeals to those looking for a mid-size family SUV too. The ZR-V is 24 cm longer than the HR-V, the other 5-seater in the family. If you said the grille resembles a Maserati, I might give it to you – but a Porsche, may be not. Anyway, it looks cool and sporty, especially with the low profile and the hint of a spoiler, and a ground clearance of 186 mm.

The Drive

This compact crossover is driven by a 1.5L turbocharged engine. But I won’t blame you if you chose to ‘think big’, because the power delivery is effortless without any drag or drone. Mind you, there is no rocket start here but the 180 hp is available all the way up to 6000 rpm and the 240 Nm torque is present across 1700 – 4500 rpm – a very useful driving range indeed!

During my 50 days with the ZR-V, I didn’t miss my sedan much – this crossover handles well and once you take off, it builds enough confidence for quick movements across lanes or when sweeping down a ramp. The transmission is something Honda calls an Automatic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) – a contender for the peace prize for reconciliation with CVT haters. The ZR-V comes across as a practical and honest choice for those who need a compact yet spacious 5-seater. Often people pay extra for the AWD and off-roading prowess they hardly need. Honda ZR-V is a front wheel drive but handles rather impressively and turns rather effortlessly with a 11-m turning radius. If you take a test drive, let me know what you think, in the comment box.

Trying to live up to sporty expectations, the ZR-V offers a little rocker switch on the console to shift among normal, sport and eco modes. Flicking the gear lever to S holds on to a higher rpm and the steering hides metal paddle shifters but I found the D drive enjoyable without that extra grunt. Honda has even devised early downshifts while braking for a sportier dose of fun and better control.

As to be expected, the fun demands a marginal extra. On highway drives, I clocked close to 15 km but the overall average lingered around 10.5 km per litre – a small price for happy driving, unless you are clocking miles like an airport taxi!

The family drive

Serving a reliable promise, Honda ZR-V does not serve pseudo-luxury. It doesn’t glide on silence – there is some wind noise and a little road noise but only at levels that doesn’t disrupt the cabin calm. The suspensions work on each wheel independently, maintaining comfort amidst good handling. And for those shopping days that have your hands full, the ZR-V offers the extra ease of ‘walkaway locking’ with auto folding mirrors.

Tasteful, comfortable interiors

Looking elegant in brown classic leather with classy stitching, the ZR-V is equipped with ‘body stabilizing seats’ (with multiple structures) that received generous compliments from those who rode with me during those seven weeks. Making it easy to get in and out, the driver’s seat moves out of your way and memorises your personalised position.

The ZR-V cabin has Dual Zone air-conditioning with rear AC vents, which is a thoughtful addition to a compact mid-size crossover. The air-conditioning mesh runs from door to door but half of it is ornamental, simply adding to the sporty design. Honda has brought in for the first time, a Plasma Cluster Ion (PCI) technology that deactivates suspended allergens and pathogens; so you don’t have to eye some of those new Chinese cars with envy!

Reclining comfortably, I allowed my music to stream through the 12-speaker Bose music system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Wired Android Auto are also available. The cabin offers USB ports and wireless charging but the port is a lot faster.

Spacious convenience

Space was repeatedly tested over the fifty days – at the malls, on long drives and at the airport. Designed as a spacious vehicle for a family of five, the 380L boot space is ample despite what the number suggests. The seats are 60-40 foldable for times when you need even more. The multiple storage spots and stowaways in the cabin are moderately spacious but the console bridge is a clever thing – adds to the premium design along with space practicality.

The cabin tech

These days, for a reviewer, it is easy to grow tired of tech – even as the expanding screens and accompanying tech race ahead and the glitches keep pace! In this department, Honda ZRV is one of the most practical and approachable I have seen in recent times. A very friendly 9” touch screen displays neatly displays functions as large, purposeful buttons. Believe me, it was great to be using a touchscreen without glitches with a classic manual volume knob to fiddle with! All it took to switch between radio and Bluetooth music was a quick touch, too!

The 10.2” driver info cluster is unassuming – if you are one for digital style overload, this may not be your kind but I liked the practical rather than pompous approach to info-tech. The multimedia screen crisply displayed trip details, which would have been more complete with a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.

Surround Safety

In the Honda ZR-V, safety is built from ground upwards. Honda’s ACE body structure provides a new upper A-pillar structure, side frame and lower firewall for crash energy distribution. 8 airbags come as standard including knee airbags for the driver. The family SUV appeases forgetful Dads with a rear seat occupant reminder and seat belt warning that lights up on the driver info cluster.

The 360-multi view camera offers useful guidelines and a wide view to back easily out of parking lots. Now, even though the camera switches off instantly once done with reversing, it also comes back on instantly when obstacles are nearby. As I have always maintained, it is always helpful to continue the view while just moving on.

Electronic driver assistance

Honda Sensing, the electronic driver assistance bundle, is standard across the ZR-V range. Lane departure assistance works to pull you back if you overstep, but it waits for you to clearly cross the line – could have been a wee bit earlier. Blind Spot Information System and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are not available in the UAE, due to some regulations.

Other features in the bundle are: Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) | Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with low-speed follow | Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) | Road Departure Mitigation System (RDMS) | Lane Departure Warning

Other useful driving features: Hill Descent Control for going downhill, slowly and cautiously. Besides LED lights, the EX has active cornering lights and auto high beam assist. Night driving mostly chooses high beam for better visibility but it quickly dims against oncoming traffic or when you are close to a car in front.

My Accessorized ZR-V!

My test car came with a line-up of accessories, enhancing design and sometimes practicality. The running board or side-step was more of a design-led accessory that perhaps could be a help for kids but sometimes a stumbling block for adults. Funnily, I am yet to figure out whether the contraption fitted on the front seatback was a hanger, or a gadget holder – it was useful nevertheless!

The essential Honda ZR-V

The Honda ZR-V comes with 7 paint options and 2 interior colours and is priced at AED 120,000 for the LX and 130,000 for the EX respectively (you get a hundred back as change). Accessories of course cost as per fitting. The Honda ZR-V holds its stead among the new breed of mid-size SUVs by blending practicality, comfort and driving enjoyment. ZR-V, as the name suggests, is designed to be equally liked by the Gen-Z as well as families. Well done, Honda!