Categories: Automobile

Honda reveals ZR-V Hybrid as its flagship SUV in India

Honda has revealed the ZR-V Hybrid as its flagship SUV in India alongside the City facelift’s launch. It will be sold here in limited numbers as a completely built unit (CBU). While its launch date is yet to be revealed, Honda has opened pre-bookings for the ZR-V, with deliveries set to begin in July 2026.

Its 2-litre hybrid engine has a total output of 184hp and 315Nm
Gets all-LED lights, 18-inch alloys and dual exhaust tips
Features include two screens, a panoramic sunroof and dual-zone AC

Honda ZR-V Hybrid powertrain

Packs a 2-litre engine and a strong-hybrid setup with dual motors

The India-spec Honda ZR-V features a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to a dual-motor strong-hybrid system. Combined with an e-CVT that sends power to the front wheels (FWD), the powertrain produces 184hp and 315Nm. The SUV has a claimed 0-100kph time of 8 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 172kph. Its fuel efficiency is rated at 22.79kpl.

Internationally, the ZR-V is also offered with an all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup and a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 180hp and 240Nm.

Honda ZR-V exterior design

Sports a sleek silhouette, all-LED lights and 18-inch alloys

The Honda ZR-V has a sleek body style and a clean design. Up front, it gets slim LED headlights with L-shaped daytime running lamps (DRLs), a black grille and a bumper housing functional air vents on both sides.

The India-spec Honda ZR-V rides on 18-inch alloy wheels, with disc brakes on both ends. Unlike modern-day cars that usually have connected tail-lights, the ZR-V has wraparound units with U-shaped LED elements. The rear bumper integrates exhaust outlets on both sides, connected via a silver trim. The SUV also gets a rear wiper and washer and a roof-mounted spoiler.

Honda ZR-V Hybrid dimensions
Length (mm)	4,567
Width (mm)	1,840
Height (mm)	1,621
Wheelbase (mm)	2,655
Boot space (litres)	Up to 1,313 (with second row folded)

Honda ZR-V interior design and features

Offers plenty of physical controls and an overall clean layout

Honda has lent the ZR-V Hybrid a well-equipped interior, featuring a dual-screen setup comprised of a 9-inch infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display. Creature comforts include dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, a wireless phone charger and a 12-speaker Bose sound system. The seats come wrapped in leatherette upholstery, and both rows have a centre armrest. An 8-way powered driver’s seat, a 4-way powered co-driver’s seat and a powered tailgate add to the convenience, while ambient lighting elevates the cabin feel.

Although the screen sizes are smaller than those of other modern-day cars, Honda is offering a lot of physical buttons and knobs with the ZR-V for controlling the AC, volume, media, and even the drive mode. In fact, the drive selector is a set of physical buttons, which, combined with the electronic parking brake, make the centre console look clean. Safety features include 8 airbags, a Level 2 ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) suite, a tyre-pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and a 360-degree camera.

Being a CBU import, the Honda ZR-V Hybrid is expected to be priced in the Rs 40-50 lakh bracket. So it will lock horns with the Skoda Kodiaq, Volkswagen Tayron and Jeep Meridian. Interestingly, the current-generation Honda ZR-V was revealed in the USA in 2022 and has yet to receive a considerable update since, making it one of the most dated cars compared to the rivals.

Shubham Chaudhary