Honda India Motors today launched the much-awaited Honda ZR-V in the Indian market, priced at Rs 48 lakh (ex-showroom). The ZR-V is offered in one fully loaded variant and is brought to India as a completely built unit (CBU) from Japan. The hybrid SUV competes with Volkswagen Tiguan, Skoda Kodiaq, Nissan X-Trail and others.Speaking of the powertrain, the Honda ZR-V is powered by a 2.0-liter strong-hybrid gasoline engine with a four-stroke, direct injection setup working on the Atkinson cycle and two permanent magnet synchronous electric motors. Combined output stands at 184hp and 315 Nm, with power sent to the front wheels via an e-CVT gearbox. Honda claims that it accelerates from 0-100km/h in 7.9 seconds, the electric top speed is 171km/h, and the fuel efficiency is 22.8kpl. In terms of design, the Honda ZR-V takes the form of a crossover rather than a standard SUV, with a clean interior. At the front, it has a large grille and large LED headlights, perfectly integrated with the fascia to give it a restrained yet stylish look. Historically, the SUV looks lower than conventional models, with a sloping roofline and longer wheelbase, making it closer to a raised hatchback than a tall SUV. Smooth lines add definition without creating complex designs.The rear continues in the same vein, with LED tail lights, a small rear mirror and a simple tail design. A ceiling-mounted spoiler adds a minimalistic element while maintaining a clean look. The exterior looks more urban than rugged. Moving inside, the Honda ZR-V will take a straightforward cabin design. The controls are clearly arranged, with an emphasis on accessibility from the driver’s seat. The infotainment panel is like a vertical stand on top of the dashboard, well separated from the switchgear below. Honda continues to use conventional buttons and rotary controls to function as climate controls.Smartly, it gets a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 10-inch digital instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control, 12-speaker Bose sound system, wireless phone charging, electric tailgate, acoustic front and back windshields, front & back ambient lights, wipers with integrated airbags, AS8.
