Honda has clearly taken the \u201cIf it ain\u2019t broke, don\u2019t fix it\u201d approach here, and while it’s not a dramatic overhaul, the update focuses on refining the lineup, dropping the existing Sport variant, and adding a new entry-level model.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/honda-zr-v-005.jpg\")
\nNothing has changed visually for the ZR-v in 2026, so it remains a handsome and distinctive SUV.<\/p>\n
First going on sale here in 2023, Honda positions the ZR-V as a medium SUV, even though it sits on the smaller side of the mid-size segment sitting, as it does, between the small HR-V and the larger CR-V in Honda\u2019s local line up.<\/p>\n
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The 2026 update expands the ZR-V’s hybrid offering by introducing a new, more accessible entry-level Hybrid L model, aimed at broadening customer appeal.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n Technologically, the 2026 ZR-V sees the introduction of the next-generation Honda Connect platform, which includes Google built-in. This system integrates apps like Google Maps and Google Assistant directly into the car’s interface, allowing for hands-free control of navigation, music, and climate functions without needing a connected phone.<\/p>\n Safety is also enhanced with the addition of a post-collision braking system to the Honda Sensing Suite.<\/p>\n How much is it?<\/p>\n The dual 2026 ZR-V line up straddles the defunct Sport model’s $55,000 price point, with the newly introduced entry-level Hybrid L priced at $51,900, while the top-grade model, the Hybrid LX, is priced at $55,900.<\/p>\n While the LX sees only a minor price increase, it gains significant new equipment, including enhanced ambient lighting and a refined alloy design, in addition to new standard features across the range.<\/p>\n What’s it like to drive?<\/p>\n On the road, the ZR-V is pretty much exactly how it was before, delivering a pleasant and competent driving experience. It distinguishes itself with a slightly sportier character than many of its rivals, featuring a ride that is a bit firmer than average without being intrusive or uncomfortable.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n This gives a confident and planted feel, sitting securely on the road, while the steering is accurate and possesses a satisfying weight.<\/p>\n Honda says the ZR-V\u2019s driving experience is defined by a focus on refinement, stability, and a connected, sedan-like feel, and its hard to disagree with them on the results – the ZR-V\u2019s chassis features a lower stance and multi-link rear suspension, which provides better tyre contact with the road, translating to improved ride comfort and stronger body control.<\/p>\n The ZR-V does all of this utterly seamlessly and without the need for any input from the driver, other than pushing the throttle, which translates into effortless EV-like progress.<\/p>\n Power comes from Honda’s e:HEV twin-motor hybrid system, which – as it does in the Civic<\/a>, CR-V and new Prelude<\/a> – prioritises smooth, EV-like acceleration and quiet operation in city driving.<\/p>\n The system intelligently switches between three modes: EV drive, where the electric motor powers the wheels; hybrid drive, where the petrol engine acts as a generator for the electric motor; and engine drive, where a lock-up clutch directly connects the engine to the wheels for efficient highway cruising.<\/p>\n The ZR-V does all of this utterly seamlessly and without the need for any input from the driver, other than pushing the throttle, which translates into effortless EV-like progress, while the sharp chassis makes for a more engaging (than usual for the segment) drive.<\/p>\n What\u2019s the pick of the range?<\/p>\n While the top-spec LX is only $4k more than the entry level L, the entry level car is exceptionally well-equipped, coming standard with heated partial leather front seats, a 10.2-inch driver’s display, a power tailgate with hands-free operation, and adaptive driving beam headlights.<\/p>\n The additional $4000 gets you full leather-appointed seating, a heated steering wheel, heated rear outboard seats, a premium 12-speaker Bose stereo system, and a 360-degree camera system.<\/p>\n The ZR-V distinguishes itself with a slightly sportier character than many of its rivals, featuring a ride that is a bit firmer than average without being intrusive or uncomfortable.<\/p>\n While the extra kit certainly justifies the price jump, the entry car certainly isn\u2019t left wanting for much and is probably the sweet spot in the range so far.<\/p>\n What other cars should I consider? The car that is no doubt the Honda’s biggest direct competitor in the sub-4.5 metre small SUV segment is the Toyota Corolla Cross<\/a> ($44,990 to $55,990), which has a broader spread of models than the Honda, much like the Hyundai Kona<\/a> ($42,990 to $59,990) and Nissan Qashqai<\/a> ($53,990 to $62,990).<\/p>\n But there is no shortage of similarly-sized SUVs available, with a startling array of different powertrains to choose from.\u00a0At the cheaper end of things you have the Kia Seltos<\/a> ($33,990 to $44,850), MG ZS<\/a> ($27,990 to $38,990) and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross<\/a> ($36,990 to $42,990), to name a few, or you could even go fully electric with the likes of the MG S5<\/a> ($44,990 to $54,990), Leapmotor B10<\/a> ($44,990 to $49,990) or the forthcoming (and incredibly sharply-priced) GWM Ora 5<\/a> ($36,990 to $39,990).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"What\u2019s this new car all about then? The same time that it launched the all-new Prelude, Honda New…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":413087,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[138,2109,79366,28365,212390,212389,212393,212394,9476,212392,111,139,69,762,763,39685,212391,212388],"class_list":["post-413086","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-business","tag-business","tag-family","tag-first-drive","tag-honda","tag-honda-suv","tag-honda-zr-v","tag-honda-zr-v-price-nz","tag-how-much-is-the-2026-honda-zr-v","tag-hybrid","tag-is-the-2026-honda-zr-v-much-different","tag-new-zealand","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-review","tag-reviews","tag-small-suv","tag-small-suv-nz","tag-zr-v"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/413086","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=413086"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/413086\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/413087"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=413086"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=413086"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=413086"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/honda-zr-v-006.jpg\")
\nThe Sport model is gone, with Hybrid L and Hybrid LX models expanding the range.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/honda-zr-v-004.jpg\")
\nThe ZR-V uses Honda’s excellent 2.0-litre hybrid powertrain that is truly EV-like in its power delivery.<\/p>\n
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\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/honda-zr-v-008.jpg\")
\nThe ZR-V’s interior is sensible and restrained, while also being sensibly laid out and nicely comfortable.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/honda-zr-v-002.jpg\")
\nHonda has expanded the ZR-V’s safety specifications with the addition of post-collision braking that automatically halts the car following an accident.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/honda-zr-v-009.jpg\")
\nHonda is a master of keeping things simple and intuitive, and the ZR-V’s gear selector is proof of that.<\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/honda-zr-v-003.jpg\")
\nSportier than your average small SUV, the ZR-V is a genuinely appealing entrant in a crowded segment.<\/p>\n