Coming soon: Honda’s three new SUVs

Off the back of enthusiastic reviews for the latest Civic Honda has announced not one, not two but three all-new mid-size SUVs with varying levels of electrification to satisfy apparently insatiable demand for such vehicles. There’s a lot to get your head around, and we’ll go through them individually below, but the headlines include an all-new hybrid ZR-V based on the Civic, the sixth generation of the popular CR-V with a new plug-in hybrid option and the fully electric e:Ny1. Suffice to say, if an electrified SUV or crossover is on your shopping list Honda has got you covered!
Before we get into that if you need a refresher on how the various different hybrid systems work and their respective strengths and weaknesses click here.

The first of the new Hondas is the ZR-V, which builds on its Civic foundations to create a new model slotting between the existing HR-V and the bigger CR-V. Which sounds a bit confusing but makes sense when you see it in the metal. It’s powered by a version of the same hybrid system as the Civic – branded e:HEV in Honda lingo – and combines a regular petrol engine with two electric motors in a system that may baffle in its engineering complexity but, in practice, is simplicity itself on the road. With no need to plug it in to charge you simply put it into drive and let the car figure out the best use of combustion engine, electric power or combination of the two for the given driving conditions, and if Rory’s experience of the Civic is anything to go by the fuel efficiency should be right up there.
The looks are pretty sleek for a crossover and reflect its target audience of younger drivers. It also shares the Civic’s neat interior design with its distinctive grille-like dashboard, with a nine-inch touch-screen in the middle to interact with the various infotainment systems.

Aimed more at family buyers, the new CR-V builds on the success of the previous five generations of Honda’s mid-size SUV and introduces both regular e:HEV and, for the first time for the brand’s European range, a full e:PHEV plug-in hybrid. A little more conservative in its looks than the other two cars, the CR-V is bigger than its predecessors with a longer wheelbase to free up more interior space, especially for rear-seat passengers. They get more legroom, and a multi-position backrest that can recline in eight steps according to how relaxed you’re feeling. Under the Honda SENSING branding a wide range of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS, in the jargon) will help keep you and your family safe as well.
An impressive 50 miles or so of pure electric range should cover most regular daily journeys in the e:PHEV plug-in version, though you of course have the reassurance of the petrol engine if you need to travel further.

Last but definitely not least is the fully electric e:Ny1, which appears to have accepted the challenge to come up with the most typographically confusing badge since Toyota’s bZ4X. Once you’ve figured out how to say its name the e:Ny1 turns out to be a relatively conventional small electric SUV launching headlong into a very competitive sector packed with talented rivals from established big names and relative newcomers from up and coming Chinese brands like MG and BYD.
Honda’s proud engineering traditions should help reassure buyers, the e:Ny1 based on all-new and purpose-built electric foundations while introducing a new front end design with the ‘H’ badge loud and proud at its centre. A 204 horsepower motor and 68.8kWh battery are on the money compared with rivals, while the promised 255-mile range is also competitive. Expect more like 200 miles in practice, the only concern being the relatively slow sounding charging speed when connected to public fast chargers . Honda says it’s being conservative in the name of preserving battery life but if you live your life on the go and depend on the public network it might prove frustrating. In size terms the e:Ny1 would seemingly compare with rivals ranging from the BYD ATTO 3 to the Renault Megane E-Tech 100% Electric , Honda hoping its reputation for solid engineering, reliability and sporty handling will be enough to have it stand out from the crowd.