Honda has cut prices across its CR-V and ZR-V ranges, with the new figures taking effect from November 2— and the ZR-V Advance now slips under a tax threshold that could save buyers real money.
Honda’s electrified SUV lineup just got cheaper. The brand has trimmed pricing across both the CR-V and ZR-V from 2 November 2026, a move that makes its hybrid and plug-in hybrid SUVs noticeably more attractive against a crowded market of rivals.
The ZR-V Advance cheaper — and dodges a tax hit
The biggest talking point is the ZR-V Advance, which now comes in at £39,585. That’s not just a lower price than before — it drops the Advance below the £40,000 threshold that triggers the Expensive Car Supplement (ECS) on hybrid models.
The ECS adds £440 a year on top of standard road tax for five years, from years two to six of a car’s life . Keeping the ZR-V Advance under £40,000 means buyers avoid that extra charge entirely. It’s a quiet but significant win for anyone speccing up the mid-range ZR-V.
The entry-level ZR-V Elegance starts at £35,215, with the Sport at £37,455 — both comfortably clear of the threshold.
CR-V also better value
The larger CR-V now starts at £43,995 in e:HEV Elegance form, rising to £46,995 for the Advance. The plug-in hybrid e:PHEV versions come in at £44,995 (Elegance Tech) and £47,995 (Advance Tech).
Those models sit above the £40,000 mark, so the ECS still applies — though for the PHEV variants, the calculation is more nuanced given their zero-emission capability.
Honda CR-V
Why it matters
The cuts land at a time when hybrid SUVs are fighting hard for buyers’ attention. Honda’s argument is simple: you get advanced hybrid tech, premium comfort and everyday practicality — now at a lower price.
Honda says the CR-V remains the brand’s largest SUV in Europe, offering up to 596 miles (WLTP) of range, with the e:PHEV version managing up to 50 miles of electric-only running.
The ZR-V, meanwhile, uses a 184PS 2.0-litre e:HEV full hybrid setup, a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Honda SENSING safety tech as standard across the range.
Michael Doyle, Head of Automobile at Honda Motor Europe (UK), said the new pricing structure “strengthens the appeal of both the CR-V and ZR-V, making our electrified SUVs an even more compelling choice for customers.”
Better for customers
Price cuts are always welcome, and Honda’s decision to trim the CR-V and ZR-V makes both models easier to recommend. The ZR-V Advance in particular now looks like stronger value — a well-equipped hybrid SUV for under £40,000, and crucially, one that won’t sting you with the luxury car supplement. If you’d been put off by the previous pricing, it’s worth another look.
Cracking the range anxiety syndrome has been a headache for electric vehicle manufacturers. I have suffered it many times when testing EVs. But it is improving all the time, with enhanced battery technology and an expanding network of public chargers that can provide a rapid top-up in as little as 20 minutes – and now even quicker on superchargers.
Geely has plenty of EV experience and has now brought its own-branded name electric SUV to the UK.
Joining the Starray hybrid, the all-electric EX5 is Geely’s first own-brand car in Britain, and it’s aiming straight for the family EV mainstream. This electric SUV comes at a competitive price, is well built and, yes, can be charged from 30-80 per cent in just 20 minutes.
There are three trim levels – SE, Pro, and Max driven here. Prices start at £31,990 for the SE, rising to £36,990 for the Max I tested. That undercuts key rivals like the Tesla Model Y and Kia EV6 quite significantly, while offering similar or better charging speeds and range.
Design and size
It’s not exactly a showstopper on the looks front but has some eye-catching touches, such as deployable door handles and a full-width rear LED light bar. Boot space is modest or huge, depending on configuration. There is only 401 litres with the seats in place, supplemented by a decent under-floor storage area that increases capacity to 461 litres. However, fold the seats and you get van-like 1,877 litres of room – which we took full advantage of during a house move.
Classed as a C-segment SUV, it feels bigger – more D-segment – sitting high off the ground with plenty of cabin space and a commanding view for the driver. Occupants also have excellent head and legroom, although rear headroom is a little more restricted.
Comfortable and refined
The well-appointed cabin’s centrepiece is a massive 15.4-inch central touchscreen, complete with integrated AI voice assistance – it’s the brains of the operation. That’s joined by a 13.8-inch head-up display on top-spec models and an ear-splitting 1,000W, 16-speaker premium sound system. So far, so impressive.
That said, the multiple digital displays aren’t always the most intuitive to operate. Some functions are tucked away in sub-menus and feel fiddly, and I was often tempted to look away from the road to find a menu. It’s a shame, because the rest of the cabin feels high quality, with supportive and comfortable seats, and the cabin feels airy – helped on this model by the large panoramic sunroof. I felt really comfortable at the wheel.
The powered seats offer ample adjustment and generous support. The high ride height gives excellent all-round visibility. On the move, the cabin remains hushed, with wind and road noise well suppressed – even at motorway speeds. I found the ride comfortable, with the softish suspension comfortably mitigating all but the worst ruts and potholes currently plaguing our roads.
It feels composed through bends, though push hard and there’s noticeable lean. The steering is light around town but responsive on faster roads, and motorway cruising is where the EX5 shines. It’s not thrilling, but it delivers a level of comfort with enough grunt from the motor for easy overtaking and long-range cruising. It was also prone to occasional wheel spin when flooring the throttle.
Efficient electric power
The EX5 delivers efficiency and performance that genuinely rivals the class leaders. Power comes from a single 215bhp electric motor driving the front wheels, drawing from a 60.22kWh battery. It’s not the most powerful, but the lighter battery pack reduces energy consumption per mile – giving you more range from fewer kilowatt-hours than some heavier rivals with larger batteries. Like the majority of EVs, it’s quick off the mark and can hit 60mph in around seven seconds.
Official efficiency figures are competitive, and real-world range is likely to be in the 240-250 mile-plus region, depending on driving style and conditions. A standard heat pump helps preserve battery life in cold weather. Efficiency is further enhanced by this, and the vehicle is fitted with vehicle-to-load capability so you can use the car to charge a grill or run a kettle when outdoors.
Rapid charge speeds
Charging is always at the back of my mind when driving an EV, and luckily it was not an issue with the EX5. Its 60.2kWh pack can charge from 30-80 per cent in just 20 minutes via a 160kW DC rapid charger. That’s enough to add around a 125-mile boost while taking a service station break, making long-distance family trips genuinely stress-free.
Full marks for safety
Every EX5 comes with seven airbags, a full suite of driver assists, and a five-star Euro NCAP rating. The warranty is comprehensive too – eight years or 125,000 miles on both the vehicle and the battery. That’s the kind of reassurance that matters when you’re spending family money.
Verdict
Geely’s first UK model offers great electric range, a spacious and well-equipped cabin, and strong safety credentials at a competitive price. The infotainment could be more intuitive, but for family buyers seeking a budget-friendly electric SUV that doesn’t feel cheap, this is an attractive alternative. It’s not a Volvo – but then, it isn’t trying to be.
Factfile
Model: Geely EX5 Max
Price: From £36,990
Mechanical: Single electric motor, 215bhp and 320Nm, driving front wheels via a single-speed automatic transmission
Max speed: 109mph
0-62mph: 6.7 seconds
Electric range: 267 miles (WLTP)
CO₂ emissions: 0g/km
Warranty: 8yrs/125,000 miles (vehicle and battery)
