By James Stinson
Honda has significantly cut the price of its CR-V and ZR-V SUVs as it looks to make its hybrid models more competitive against some formidable opposition.
The biggest savings are on the CR-V, with reductions of up to £4,255, while every version of the smaller ZR-V has been cut by £1,310.
It means the ZR-V now starts at £35,215, down from £36,525, while the larger CR-V starts from £43,995 instead of £48,075. The changes took effect on November 2.
ZR-V moves below £40,000
Sitting between the smaller HR-V and larger CR-V, the ZR-V is Honda’s mid-sized SUV and is aimed squarely at buyers considering cars such as the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson and Renault Austral.
Unlike some rivals, there’s no conventional petrol or plug-in choice. Every ZR-V uses Honda’s 2.0-litre e:HEV full-hybrid system, combining a petrol engine with two electric motors.
The system produces 181bhp and 315Nm, giving the ZR-V surprisingly useful performance, with 0-62mph taking 7.8 seconds. Honda quotes combined fuel economy of up to 49.6mpg.
Entry-level Elegance models now cost £35,215 and come with 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, keyless entry and start, LED lights, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, adaptive cruise control and Honda SENSING safety technology.
Sport costs £37,455, while the range-topping Advance is £39,585. Significantly, that brings the Advance below £40,000 before options are added.
The price reduction certainly helps the ZR-V, although it remains more expensive than entry-level versions of several mainstream rivals. Its strengths lie in its generous standard equipment, punchy hybrid drivetrain and a more car-like driving experience than some family SUVs.
Bigger savings on CR-V
Honda has been considerably more aggressive with the CR-V.
The largest SUV in Honda’s European range gets reductions of between £2,680 and £4,255, with the full-hybrid CR-V Elegance falling £4,080 to £43,995. Advance drops from £51,250 to £46,995.
Unlike the ZR-V, the CR-V offers a choice of electrified powertrains. There’s an e:HEV full hybrid and an e:PHEV plug-in hybrid, both based around a 2.0-litre petrol engine. The CR-V produces 181bhp, while the plug-in version can cover up to 50 miles on electric power alone. Honda quotes an overall driving range of up to 596 miles.
Even the entry-level Elegance is generously equipped, with Honda SENSING driver assistance technology, heated front seats, keyless entry and start, a powered tailgate, reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors among the standard kit.
The plug-in Elegance Tech is now £44,995, down £2,800, while Advance Tech falls £2,680 to £47,995.
A more convincing proposition
The cuts address one of the biggest criticisms levelled at Honda’s SUVs: price.
At £43,995 the CR-V is still more expensive than some mainstream alternatives. The Skoda Kodiaq, for example, currently starts at £39,390, while its plug-in hybrid is priced from £42,485. But the gap is considerably narrower than it was.
That makes both Hondas easier to recommend. The ZR-V offers a sportier, slightly more compact alternative to traditional family SUVs, while the spacious CR-V remains the choice for buyers wanting maximum practicality and the additional flexibility of plug-in hybrid power.
Honda says the new prices strengthen the value offered by its electrified SUV range. With as much as £4,255 knocked off the previous list price, there’s rather more substance behind that claim now.
