Honda ZR-V e:HEV LX: what Australian road tests show

An efficient hybrid with strong road-test backing

The Australian Honda ZR-V e:HEV LX has a persuasive combination of fuel economy and driving manners, though its luggage capacity limits the practicality case. GoAuto recorded 5.4L/100km in its September test of the updated flagship and praised its accurate steering, supple ride and quiet cabin. CarExpert recorded the same consumption in a separate, earlier LX test, finding responsive hybrid operation, comfortable suspension and strong body control. Both results are above the quoted 5.0L/100km combined figure; they are individual road tests, not a standardised comparison. ¹⁴

The front-wheel-drive e:HEV LX pairs a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a two-motor hybrid system, with quoted outputs of 135kW and 315Nm. It has a 57-litre fuel tank and uses 91 RON unleaded. GoAuto described the delivery of electric and petrol power as smooth and quiet. CarExpert also found the transition nearly seamless, although it heard more engine noise under hard acceleration and reported occasional front-wheel spin when launching aggressively. Those impressions qualify the praise without changing the broader finding that both outlets liked how the LX drives. ¹⁴

Cabin comfort and the space compromise

LX equipment reported by GoAuto and CarExpert includes heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, electrically adjustable front seats, wireless phone charging and a 12-speaker Bose sound system. GoAuto liked the finish and found ample room for two adults in the back. CarExpert likewise found the second row suitable for two adults, but considered three abreast a squeeze. It praised the physical climate controls while judging the 9.0-inch central touchscreen small beside some rivals. The listed phone connections are wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. ¹⁴

At 4568mm long, the e:HEV LX has a 370-litre boot. CarExpert says the hybrid has 10 litres less luggage space than petrol ZR-V variants and substitutes a tyre repair kit for their space-saver spare. Both outlets identify three rear top-tether points and two ISOFIX positions. The seating space therefore compares more favourably than the cargo figure: GoAuto called the boot small despite finding the cabin comfortable for four adults. ¹⁴

CarExpert’s April test adds some useful qualifications to the cabin and driving assessment. It said the front seats might feel narrow to some occupants and found that its lane-centring system held the vehicle slightly to one side rather than in the middle of the lane. Its test preceded the expanded hybrid range, so those observations should not be taken as a check of every change made in the later Australian update. ⁴

Dimensions and manufacturer conditions

Honda Australia’s current specification sheet lists the ZR-V e:HEV LX at 4568mm long, 1840mm wide and 1620mm high, with a 2655mm wheelbase and 186mm of unladen ground clearance. The width is labelled overall width; the sheet does not say whether mirrors are included or excluded. These are manufacturer specifications, not measurements taken during the road tests. The sheet also lists a 370-litre VDA boot with the rear seats up, including underfloor storage. With those seats folded, capacity is 866 litres when loaded to window level or 1302 litres when loaded to the roof. Honda lists rear cross-traffic alert for the current e:HEV LX. The manufacturer also limits commercial-use vehicle cover to five years or 140,000km, whichever comes first, instead of unlimited kilometres. Its definition includes taxi, hire, rental, delivery, ride-share and driving-school use. ⁵

A related test in a different grade

The West Australian tested the e:HEV L in August, not the LX. Over a week of city and highway driving it recorded 5.0L/100km, praised the steering, acceleration and suspension, but heard more road noise than expected. It also noted that its L lacked the LX’s wireless charger and surround-view camera. The result provides context for the shared hybrid powertrain, not a third LX fuel-economy result or a direct equipment assessment of the flagship. ²

Safety rating and ownership terms

The ZR-V has a four-star ANCAP rating based on 2023 Euro NCAP testing. ANCAP’s current rating page lists a December 2031 expiry and a 2023 test datestamp. CarExpert’s April report gave a 2029 expiry; the current ANCAP record is used here. The West Australian notes that newer assessment protocols apply from 2026, so the older test result should not be read as an assessment under those criteria. The reported category results are 79 per cent for adult-occupant protection, 88 per cent for child occupants, 81 per cent for vulnerable road users and 68 per cent for safety assist. The West Australian reports ANCAP’s qualification that Australian vehicles are structurally different from the European test vehicles: a different front bumper beam affected performance at some impact locations. The West Australian’s August report also says local vehicles omit an additional rear-door beam fitted to European vehicles. It reports ANCAP found no observable effect on test performance, while the manufacturer had yet to explain the omission. GoAuto reports that the front-centre airbag did not adequately prevent contact between the front occupants’ heads during testing, contributing to the four-star outcome. GoAuto lists 11 airbags and autonomous emergency braking among the LX’s safety features. CarExpert’s April LX review said rear cross-traffic alert was unavailable across the range, while GoAuto’s September LX review lists it. Those differently dated tests should not be read as the current equipment list; the current specification sheet is described above. ¹²⁴⁶

GoAuto’s May report on the Australian update specifically identified post-collision braking as an addition to the Honda Sensing assistance package, alongside software revisions. On ownership, GoAuto and The West Australian report a five-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty, five years of roadside assistance and servicing every 12 months or 10,000km at $199 per scheduled visit for the first five years. Both report an eight-year hybrid-battery warranty; GoAuto says the vehicle warranty, roadside assistance and $199 servicing can extend to eight years subject to Honda servicing conditions. CarExpert’s earlier April review gives different battery-warranty and servicing-cost figures, so those earlier figures should not be presented as the terms of the updated range. ³¹²⁴

Updated range, availability and price

GoAuto reported in May that Honda’s updated Australian ZR-V was available to order online and through Honda Centres, with e:HEV X and e:HEV L grades joining the flagship hybrid. The West Australian described the expanded hybrid range as arriving in June. GoAuto also reported Google built-in functionality among the infotainment changes. These dates describe the local range update, rather than a change to the specification of the earlier LX test car. ³²

GoAuto quoted $51,900 drive-away for the e:HEV LX in September, matching The West Australian’s August range listing. GoAuto’s May update report had given $51,990 as the national drive-away price and described the flagship as $3000 cheaper than before. These are dated drive-away figures, not manufacturer list prices excluding on-road costs. GoAuto still considered the LX expensive. Taken together, the road tests support an efficient, well-equipped SUV with notably polished handling, while the small boot, lack of a spare and four-star safety rating remain clear limitations. ¹²³