Honda has revised its sports utility line-up, with a big revision for CR-V and a new model sitting between it and the HR-V.

LESS a glaringly obvious chasm than a snug space, but filled nonetheless – that’s the gap between Honda’s two crossovers.

Set to site between the large CR-V that’s just been meted a huge update and the more modest dimensioned HR-V is a new line, the ZR-V (above).

Just revealed to the Japanese market with availability there set to start in September, with export also confirmed, the new car also presents in front- and four-wheel-drive and the choice of two powertrains, a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and a 2.0-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine.

The primary market outside of Japan is Europe, but other countries will be lining up. The potential for Honda New Zealand to pick it up is clearly there, but there’s no word yet about that.

Both engines will be mated to constantly variable transmissions, but the larger powerplant has the two-motor hybrid system Honda calls ‘e-CVT’; just likeb the new Civic. Cited outputs are 135kW and 315Nm.

Full electric doesn’t seem to be on the cards. Honda says hybridisation will be the maximum amount of electrification in the ZR-V. It believes hybrid still has a part to play in reducing CO2 emissions and helping customers transition to zero-emissions driving.

The majority of ZR-Vs will likely come in front-wheel drive form, but Honda is also offering all-wheel drive versions of both powertrains to lend “greater peace of mind” to customers who might have to drive snowy roads.

The ZR-V’s interior largely mimics the Civic’s, with a honeycomb vent stretching across three quarters of the dashboard, and a tablet-style 9.0-inch infotainment screen fitted atop. There’s also a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster.

Cited body dimensions are a length of 4567mm, width of 1829mm, height of 1610mm and a 2654mm wheelbase.

If that’s not large enough, then there’s always the CR-V, not least in the radically updated form (above) Honda has just shown off to North America, the primary market which appears to have a 12 month head start on the rest of the world.

Measuring 4694mm long, 1864mm wide and 1691mm tall, the new CR-V is 59mm longer, 9mm wider and 12mm taller than its predecessor – sitting on a wheelbase that's 40mm longer, at 2700mm.

The styling direction delivers a mix of smooth surfaces and some sharp creases. There are standard LED headlights, new vertical LED tail-lights (with Volvo-esque styling), and 18-inch or 19-inch wheels.

Top-spec Sport and Sport Touring models in the US add unique front and rear styling, with rectangular exhaust outlets and black accents.

The powertrain choices are a 142kW/243Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.0-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors (now mounted side by side), developing up to 152kW and 335Nm.

Safety systems span autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian/cyclist/motorcycle detection and intersection support, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, traffic jam assist, lane-keep assist and driver attention monitoring.

Interior design is also from the Civic school, with a central touchscreen (in 7.0- or 9.0-inch forms – the latter offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) – plus a 7.0-inch instrument display sits in front of the driver, with an analogue speedometer.

Available tech features include multi-zone climate control, four USB ports (two front, two rear), a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and four-way power passenger seat.

Interior space has risen, to point where there is talk of it even presenting in three-row, seven seat format.