I had high hopes for a good review but alas, the presenter did not do her homework at all. In the Honda the flappy paddles are not for gears, there are no gears because there is no gearbox, they are to adjust the regeneration! The electric motor does not assist the petrol engine at all. The petrol engine can drive the wheels directly or provide charge for the electric motor. One or the other. The petrol motor is always connceted to the second electric motor used as a generator to provide electricity to the battery even when driving the wheels. When you hear engine noise when accelarating it is a completely simulated noise that stops when cruising at a constant speed. Not a noisy cabin!

I’ve got a great idea for the space under the boot floor. How about putting a spare wheel in there

Amusingly, "a bit fidgety and never quite settles down" is also how I would describe Vicky Parrott's review. She sounds like she's just remembered she's left the stove on and needs to get home as soon as she can get this boring chore out of the way.

The Tucson is utterly abysmal compared to the Austral. Genuinely amazed you have driven both and have came to that conclusion.

How Hyundai Tuscon looks more modern compared to Austral? have you looked inside?

the paddles in the zr-v is actually for regenerative braking.

I do not even need to watch this video to know which car is the best one here. The Renault Austral of course.

But, but, but, but, but. I’ll have to watch it again and count all the but’s.

Huh! Aren’t the paddles for adjusting the level of regenerative braking? Also the ‘direct electronic drive’ Honda Hybrid system is substantially different to the ‘electric motor mechanical assistance’ Toyota hybrid system.

I noticed that when you were mentioning the Austral's handling the lighting was red and in "sport mode" unless you modified the lighting - is that the mode you had it in for the "handling" segment or did you try the other modes?

Thanks for the review !

Couple of things the Renault with 160hp isn't coming to the UK and it's a mild hybrid. We're only getting the full hybrid ie the one with 200hp.

Nice review. I quite like the fast paced and personal style. Keep it up!

The Honda just reminds me outside of a Ford Kuga.

Honda will still be working perfectly in next 30yrs where the Renault will be recycled x4!

The austral is just...spot on ❤

That’s why carwow has over 8 million subs and car gurus 108 thousand 😂

Something any potential ZR-V purchaser may wish to take into consideration before parting with £40k, this vehicle is sold in the US as the HR-V and retails for £22k - £27k and is also available with AWD, which its European counterpart is not. Even if you are prepared to overlook this, the hybrid only HR-V has a serious issue where the battery can leave the vehicle immobile if not driven for around a week or so (some owners have reported their vehicle dies after less than 24 hours, though the average time frame is a fortnight), and Honda do not seem to have a firm grip on this. Some owners have resorted to using power packs and chargers to prevent this. On a brand new £30k+ vehicle!! Interesting to see if it also affects the hybrid only ZR-V. Also the US HR-V (Euro ZR-V) seems to suffer from an issue with the rear screen shattering for no discernible reason and have issued a safety notice in relation to this. Also of note, when the MkIII HR-V was released in 2022 its price range was around £26k - £29k. Since then, Honda UK have introduced several price increases and it is now nearer £31k - £37k, and if you have a gander on Honda UK's website, you will see 2022 models being sold at or around their original price. Apart from a 100 litre boot and being slightly larger overall, the ZR-V does not really bring anything to the market over the HR-V, apart from it allows Honda UK to place the CR-V range a step closer to the £50k market.

CR-V is in the class you were talking about.

I got this car last week Wednesday and let me tell you, it is absolutely incredible. The amount of comments I have got from people when they see it. The multimedia system is phenomenal, the cockpit is lovely and the amount of tech you get in the car is fantastic. Lovely drive, super smooth. The fact you can watch your favourite streaming shows when stationary is amazing!

18.42p paddles are for braking and the battery not gears.

Very nice review. Thanks so much.

The four wheel steer is adustable and can be switched off but I have it on all the time and love it The gear boxes there are 2 are maintenance free and have over 14 ratio cominations also it will run on Electric only up to 70 +mph which mine does regularly on the Motorway In sport mode it will keep up with most over similar cars It is extremely hard to feel the changes and if you change modes the ride changes I also think it looks so much better than the Kia and Hyundi The 3 stalk set up is brilliant and so much better for ease of use

The Sportage and Tucson feel and look more modern that the Austral!!!!!!!!!!! I was kinda just managing to watch this review until that point, just as well that comment came at the end.

Super review with a lot of factual information

40k for a renault or honda.. what times we're living...

Thanks for your very fair and balanced review!

£40k got to be joking

I disagree. The sportage and Tucson are not bad but compared to the Austral they are old hat. The Austral is way better then either of them.

The KIA and Hyundai are too edgy for their own good, also their quality oong term isn't great. The Austral is great but so is the Qashqai too. The HRV is clever - its basically a larger CIVIC - a great car and the infotainment has Apple Carplay so who cares about the nav. The one car that is great at all things is the CX5 - apart from efficiency.

pretty good economy compared to the favourite Tucson; we're struggling to get more than 45mpg out of the Hyundai HEV

Goodness me, so difficult to chose between these paragons of mediocrity. I mean that constructively and in no way is it a comment on the quality of the presentation.

This review barely adds any value and says everything is middling. The irony when her review is poor and not even middling

No wonder everyone watches carwow 😂

Yet more SUVs. I'd sooner have a hatch or an estate.

Disappointing review. The comment about the paddles simply makes the whole video pointless.

The Honda is completely anonymous looking. For once, the Renault wins imo.

In my opinion, Austral way way better than ZRV. ZRV looks cheap in and out. Even Hyundai Tucson stay below Austral in terms of of design.

There is so much mistakes in this review...crucial mistakes for both cars...

Buy a Civic rather than that model.... the Civic drives very well, has good storage and great economy... There is no way a Renault will last as long as a Honda..

The Renault is useless if your tall, I couldn't get into the Renault desoite it being higher than the Honda, where as the Honda has loads of headroom and room to get in and out of the car.

Great review Vicky

Quite boring review indeed🤔

A car reviewer that doesn't know the difference between wing mirrors and door mirrors !!!

How can the Z-RV HEV cost a ridiculous £42.5K with a lousy 3yr warranty. Top spec in Oz is only $AUD51K ($55K drive away) with a minimum 5yr warranty (occasionally 7yr offers). Are you paying 50% of the on-road cost in UK Government taxes and emissions penalties? Hardly anybody in Australia would buy the Renault (Arkana), resale value will be horrendously poor. Historically Renault reliability is poor and manufacturer support is terrible.

Really was a boring review. Sorry but hopefully this feedback can be taken as genuinely constructive.

Style is a hit or miss thing at Honda it seems, that is a boring vehicle inside and out compared to the Renault.

Very poor reviews and a monotonous voice. And then at 4:22 ? Wing mirrors ?? No such thing as wing mirrors these days. The mirrors are bolted to the DOORS, not the WINGS. I turned this video off after that. 👎👎👎👎👎👎

Monotone and boring, rather follow car wow.

Seriously, don’t bother listen to this waffle. Just take either car out for a test drive and decide for yourself.