Honda ZR-V hybrid debuts in India as brand's new flagship SUV

Honda Cars India has introduced the Honda ZR-V in the Indian market, expanding the brand’s premium hybrid portfolio alongside the updated Honda City. Imported as a Completely Built Unit (CBU) from Japan, the ZR-V marks Honda’s re-entry into the premium mid-size hybrid SUV segment with a strong focus on design, technology, driving dynamics and advanced safety.

Honda Z-RV: Exterior design

The all-new ZR-V gets a sleek SUV silhouette with flowing body lines, aerodynamic detailing and a strong road presence. Up front, the SUV features a glossy black vertical-slat grille flanked by slim full-LED headlamps with integrated LED DRLs and sequential turn indicators. Aerodynamic air intakes positioned below the headlights help reduce drag and improve efficiency.

At the rear, the SUV gets LED combination tail lamps, a gun-metallic skid garnish, body-coloured tailgate spoiler and dual exhaust finisher. The SUV rides on 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, further adding to its sporty appeal.

Dimensionally, the ZR-V measures 4,567mm in length, 1,840mm in width and 1,621mm in height, while the wheelbase stands at 2,655 mm. Honda has also equipped the SUV with a 5.5-metre turning radius for improved manoeuvrability.

Honda Z-RV: Interior design

The Honda ZR-V Hybrid comes with a feature-rich cabin centred around a dual-screen layout that includes a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster. The SUV is equipped with several premium features such as dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, ambient lighting, and powered front seats with 8-way adjustment for the driver and 4-way adjustment for the co-driver. Other convenience features include a powered tailgate, leatherette seat upholstery, and centre armrests for both front and rear passengers.

While the displays may not be the largest in the segment, Honda has retained a wide range of physical buttons and rotary controls for functions such as climate settings, audio adjustment and drive modes, making the cabin more user-friendly. The electronic button-based gear selector and electronic parking brake also help create a cleaner and more modern centre console layout.

Inside, the ZR-V adopts a sporty all-black interior theme with leather upholstery, soft-touch surfaces and metallic trim elements spread across the dashboard and door panels. The horizontally layered dashboard design enhances the sense of space, while the elevated centre console gives the cockpit a more driver-focused feel.

The SUV also focuses heavily on practicality, offering multiple storage spaces and trays throughout the cabin, a large centre console capable of storing a tablet, rear AC vents, a rear armrest and fold-flat rear seats. With the second-row seats folded down, the ZR-V provides up to 1,313 litres of luggage capacity.

2.0-litre e:HEV strong hybrid powertrain

Powering the ZR-V is Honda’s 2.0-litre direct-injection Atkinson-cycle petrol engine paired with the brand’s dual-motor e:HEV hybrid system and e-CVT transmission. The setup produces a combined output of 184bhp between 5,000-6,000 rpm and 315 Nm of torque available from 0-2,000 rpm.

Honda claims a fuel efficiency figure of 22.79 km/l.

The hybrid system automatically switches between Electric Drive, Hybrid Drive and Engine Drive modes depending on driving conditions. Electric mode enables silent take-offs, hybrid mode delivers stronger acceleration and engine drive is used during sustained high-speed cruising.

Drivers can also select between Normal, Sport and Eco drive modes. The SUV comes equipped with MacPherson front suspension, multi-link rear suspension and Electric Power Steering (EPS), which Honda says improve handling stability and ride comfort.

Technology and connectivity

The ZR-V is equipped with a 9-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system supporting wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. Audio duties are handled by a 12-speaker Bose premium surround sound system.

The all-new ZR-V comes loaded with Honda SENSING advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including:

• Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Low-Speed Follow
• Lane Keeping Assist System
• Road Departure Mitigation System
• Lead Car Departure Notification
• Auto High Beam

Additional safety features include:

• 8 airbags
• 360-degree surround-view camera
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Driver attention monitor
• Hill descent control
• Hill start assist
• Vehicle Stability Assist with traction control
• Agile Handling Assist
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Frameless auto-dimming IRVM
• Four-wheel disc brakes
• ISOFIX child seat mounts

The SUV is based on Honda’s ACE (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) body structure aimed at improving crash protection.

Colours, bookings and warranty

The all-new ZR-V will be available in four colour options:

• Twilight Mist Black Pearl
• Meteoroid Gray Metallic
• Platinum White Pearl
• Crystal Black Pearl

Honda has commenced bookings for the ZR-V across dealerships in India, while customer deliveries are scheduled to begin in July 2026.

The SUV comes with a 3-year unlimited-kilometre standard warranty, extendable up to 7 years unlimited kilometres, while the lithium-ion battery pack is covered by an 8-year/160,000km warranty. The hybrid system components are protected under a 5-year/100,000km warranty.

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