Why 2025 Honda HR-V e:HEV L is Way Better than the Base Model

Honda’s HR-V is a peculiar little beasty, and is known as the ZR-V in some markets, but not the same the ZR-V sold here. We’re reliably infirmed that Australia is the only place to get both the HR-V and ZR-V, which no one can explain, nor can anyone tells us why the ZR-V here, is the HR-V in the USA.

Are we confused yet?

Specifications HERE: 2025_HR-V_MMC_Spec_Sheet_670x210

We reviewed the HR-V below:

Some of us loved it and some of us didn’t. From the plastics to the CVT, nothing escaped our critique, probing every nook and cranny and the result was mixed. Some concluded the petrol model didn’t stack up, even at $32,900 drive away. Others thought it, “coped adequately with the life tests thrown at it.” Hardly high praise. What we all agreed on was that the last time we drive HR-V e:HEV we liked it more than the poverty-stricken base model petrol.

The $42,900 HR-V e:HEV L presents a better value proposition than the HR-V Vi-X, but Honda is not an island. HR-V e:HEV L lacks the HUD and AWD options of the Yaris Cross and Corolla Cross, against which light and small SUVs like HR-V might be judged. The most popular badge in the segment is an ASX by Mitsubishi, suggesting price might be the main consideration. The latter soon faces the axe along with many other models which fall foul of the ADR changes.

Although there has been a price reduction, and an extra hybrid model introduced since HR-V was first launched in 2022, HR-V has made only a modest ripple in the “small SUV under $45,000” market.

The bad news is that most buyers have gone for the alternative options: Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, GWM Haval Jolion, Hyundai Kona, MG ZS, Mitsubishi ASX and Mazda CX-30, all of which moved more than 1,000 units each for January 2025. By comparison, the humble Honda HR-V saw only 321 SUVs finding new garages.

Back to the Honda: HR-V e:HEV L quite the mouthful, and as most people probably don’t know that HEV means Hybrid Electric vehicle, isn’t any help to buyers. A big friendly “HYBRID” moniker says what’s inside the tin, and makes sure browsers in showrooms are in no doubt. HEV or e:HEV is just a silly red herring.

Above: This Week’s VIDEO Review –22025 Honda HR-V Hybrid e:HEV L REVIEW – Alan Zurvas

#honda, #2025hondaHRVeHev, #gaycarboys, #alanzurvas

ABOVE: 2025 Honda HR-V e:HEV

The Boys:

Raffy, Nico, Casper and I took a run out to a semi-rural pub for a tasty light lunch, and here is what we had to say:

Raffy

The outside could use a bit more ornamentation. Although HR-V looks classy, it doesn’t dazzle.

Is it a bit bland?

Unlike some of the other lads, I never got to steer the base model petrol car, and just as well from all reports. The HR-V hybrid feels solid, and drives much like every other hybrid on the road.

Fuel consumption is ok, but is higher than mum’s awful RAV4 hybrid (that is boring beyond belief).

The lack of AWD might be a put-off for some, and useless for anyone wanting an off-piste campsite to get a little sumptin-sumptin. While Rav4’s eAWD isn’t exactly a yard stick, Toyota stuck with hybrids when all other brands had tipped their toys out of the cot. This gives Toyota gravitas.

Mazda has been extremely lazy in their development, staying firmly in the petrol camp, so no one can explain their continued fan-crazed support. Mild hybrids are about as useful as tits on a bull.

Sadly, HR-V e: HEV had limits. With only 4 seats available, you won’t be packing the lads in like sardines, at least not while the car is moving. But, that’s a story for another time.

Nico

I love Hondas, but the mere mention of a CVT sends me screaming to the martini shaker.

There are a few hybrids with DCT automatics, so ditching CVTs is possible and I went into the test feeling less than enthused. The e:CVT exceeded my low expectations, but the 96kw hybrid needs more guts.

I love the interior.

Its tidy layout appeals to my OCD inner child, and the seats are comfortable and clever. The rear bench can origami itself into different positions so you can sit taller items on the floor, or tuck flat items underneath. (Honda claimed the Jazz could take a bicycle standing up, something we never tested.)

Performance is average, and while sticking the boot in will get the 1.5 singing, there are no instant facelifts to be had. Although 4 people on board makes HR-V feel quite settled, it requires every joule of effort to get moving.

Casper

The drive is a calm, pleasant experience. The ADAS is not as intrusive as some of the cars we’ve driven, and seems to be on the ball most of the time. Longer trips are a chore without reliable lane centering/smart cruise control, and this one is good. It doesn’t turn off every few minutes, with other brands behaving like drunken teens on their maiden benders.

The outside looks more expensive than the inside, and this obvious disparity can be a bit off-putting. Cheap plastic looks ok at 15 grand, but is a tough ask at 42 grand.

The infotainment system is easy to use and works every time without fail. Having to “ok” every time the car starts is annoying, but the CarPlay is wireless and never drops out.

Cornering is fun, coming at the expense of ride which is too firm for my taste.

Alan

The legacy brands are watching helplessly as cheap Chinese imports flood the market, filling all the spaces once comfortably occupied by Japanese and Korean entry level cars. There is no reason to assume that Chinese brands won’t do what the other Asian brands did: start cheap and work their way up.

I fear for existing brands currently riding waves of pride and reputation.

Remember, Holden once enjoyed 50% of the market, but is nothing more than a sad old Bathurst poster, and a couple of unloved bangers with P Plates jauntily hanging from a tail light.

Honda and VW have both slipped from the top 10, and their next moves will decide their fate. Things are dire, make no mistake.

They cannot compete on price so they must have the quality to warrant their cost. HR-V e:HEV is a huge improvement on the petrol model and might just save the model line.

Only 1260 Hondas sold last month, with 490 of those being CR-V. Accord is holding on by a thread with a miserable 21 cars sold in January, and 94 Civic sales, is no comfort.

ANCAP:

HR-V e:HEV is good, not great, but good.

It has a disappointing 4-Star ANCAP safety rating with an April 2022 datestamp. The lack of a front-centre airbag and no reverse AEB contributed to the result, yet the crash tests yielded decent passing marks.

My prediction is this model will not continue. ZR-V also got 4 stars in 2023, so Honda has to do better. The Nissan merger will be complete for years and will take a decade to yield results – neither company has a decade to spare.

Conclusion:

HR-V e:HEV L is a nicer drive, is more economical to run ,and has more power than the HR-V petrol version.

HR-V e:HEV L is a decent car let down by a few omissions, a market flooded with cheaper options, changing buyer tastes, and what seems to be a fading brand reputation. Honda is still a quality product, but buyers are thin on the ground. The passenger cars that were once the backbone are now irrelevant – a real dilemma.

Honda should ditch the passenger cars to stop the hemorrhage, get some centre airbags and reverse AEB into HR-V e:HEV, and get the price under 40K drive away.

For now, HR-V e:HEV is great for someone who wants something different, but doesn’t care about 5 seats and 5 stars.

HR-V e:HEV L