Honda CR-V and ZR-V two-pronged electrified attack on Toyota RAV4 hybrid
Honda is plotting double trouble for the market-leading Toyota RAV4 Hybrid with two new SUVs coming to Australia in 2023 that will include petrol-electric powertrains.
The all-new ZR-V and sixth-generation CR-V (pictured above) will effectively attack the RAV4 on two fronts.
Honda predicts these two SUVs will be its two top-selling models here, with the CR-V leading the way.
The ZR-V is a compact new SUV that will come to Australia with a 2.0-litre hybrid drivetrain included in its line-up.
In a first for the CR-V in Australia, it will also gain a 2.0-litre hybrid drivetrain that could come here in a higher state of tune than in the ZR-V.
Output figures for the ZR-V hybrid are tipped to be around 135kW/315Nm, while official numbers issued for the CR-V claim 152kW/335Nm.
As well as e:HEV drivetrains, the new SUVs will also come with orthodox 1.5-litre turbo-petrol power.
Power is transmitted in both models by a CVT and all-wheel drive will be available.
Measuring up at 4695mm long, 1865mm wide and 1690mm tall, the new CR-V is substantially larger than its predecessor and will be one of the biggest medium SUVs.
It can be expected to continue offering seven seats in Australia. Our supplies will be sourced from Thailand or Japan.
The US version of the new ZR-V measures up at 4567mm long, 1839mm wide and 1610mm tall. The Aussie version, which ius expected to be built in Japan will measure up very similarly.
It will come as a five-seater and sit between the CR-V and the rencently-launched third generation small Honda HR-V in the Australian Honda SUV line-up.
Perhaps a little confusingly, the ZR-V is sold as the HR-V in the USA and under both names by different Honda partners in China.
Both vehicles roll on variations of the same modular architecture that underpins the Civic small car.
Just for reference, the five-seat Toyota RAV4 is up to 4615mm long, 1865mm wide, 1690mm tall and makes up to 163kW from its 2.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid set-up.
It does not make a system torque claim, only specifying 221Nm produced by the petrol engine.
Honda Australia will also launch a hybrid version of the Civic small car this year and an all-new Accord large sedan in 2023 that will also be electrified. Only after that will it turn its attention to full battery electric vehicles.
The CR-V’s fourth-generation two-motor hybrid-electric system comes with an updated 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine that adds direct fuel injection.
It is mated to a pair of electric motors that are now mounted side-by-side. This new configuration allows for the use of a larger propulsion motor with increased torque output.
A new feature dubbed Linear Shift Control elevates the driving experience by mimicking the vehicle speed-linked rev feel associated with a conventional drivetrain shifting gears at wide open throttle.
The new hybrid-electric system also allows for a substantial increase in continuous maximum speed, which climbs from 138km/h to 185km/h.
All five generations of the CR-V have been sold in Australia dating back to 1997.
