REVEALED Honda's triple threat for its SUV rivals

OFFICIAL Mid-sized ZR-V will be joined by new CR-V and electric e:Ny1 as firm seeks to boost market share

- John Mcllroy

Hybrid tech for new ZR-V

CR-V is Honda's first PHEV

HONDA ZR-V

PRICE: From £31,000 (est) ON SALE: Autumn

HONDA has been electrifying its range in a typically conservative fashion, but now the Japanese brand is really pushing ahead with the process. And that will extend to three models being launched this year, starting with the all-new ZR-V.

It'll be joined by a more practical CR-V, while the electric e:Ny1 means the Honda e supermini will no longer be the brand's only EV sold in the UK. We've got the low down on all three.

THE ZR-V is designed to slot between Honda's line-up, although it's closer in size to the second of those two vehicles. The company says that the car will have "the same DNA as the Civic e:HEV", so it's fair to say that the ZR-V is, in effect, a crossover version of the popular family hatchback. That should make it a serious rival for the likes of the Nissan Qashqai and Volkswagen Tiguan, albeit with a more swoopy roofline.

Honda has pushed hard to make the ZR-V not look too much like a jacked-up Civic, and on first inspection, it's succeeded. The front has a relatively small grille and slim headlights, while the flanks have much less complex surfacing than we've seen on many recent Hondas. The C-pillars are narrow, and the rear features a large tailgate that's clearly designed to deliver a low load lip.