Honda is already a veteran of hybrid technology with the Accord and Civic, but when they decided to create something quite different, the CR-Z Hybrid Hatchback was born. With its CR-Z 2011, Honda attempted to reintroduce its legendary Japanese sports car, the CR-X, but this time, giving it a green edge to please the energy conscious market.
The Honda CR-Z is one of the passenger cars belonging to the small group of hybrids that include vehicles such as the Toyota Prius, the Toyota Auris Hybrid HSD, as well as the Honda Insight and Civic Hybrid. It also includes vehicles by other premium brands such as BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, and Porsche. But if we consider the size, coupe bodywork, sportiness, and other specs, then, the CR-Z remains very much alone in its segment.
The CR-Z is, unfortunately, no longer in production but it's still pretty easy to find one in good condition on the used car market. If you are considering buying one any time soon, this article will cover everything you need to know about the CR-Z — Specifications, features, average sales price as well as a quick review by yours truly.
Honda CRZ Hybrid Hatchback
The Honda CR-Z is a hybrid sports car produced by the Japanese manufacturer Honda from 2011 to 2016. The CR-Z combines a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain with elements of traditional sports cars with a 2 + 2 seating arrangement and a 6-speed manual transmission. The CR-Z is regarded as the spiritual successor to the second generation of the Honda CR-X in name and exterior design. The resemblance pretty much stops there.
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Find a repair manual for your Honda CR-Z here!
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At the time of its release, it was rated as one of the least polluting vehicles available and was classified as an Advanced Technology, Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV). The CR-Z is the third gasoline-electric hybrid model offered by Honda that can be equipped with a manual transmission (after the Insight and the Civic Hybrid), but the only hybrid in the same class offered by any manufacturer.
Honda CR-Z Specs
The basic concept of the CR-Z is based on creating a fun-to-drive car offering a sporty driving experience. According to Torikai, the CR-Z's chief chassis engineer, "this car was brought to Europe, at each prototype phase, to be tested under different road conditions to assess whether it has achieved the desired performance.”
2012 CR-Z EX CVTEngine
The CR-Z is powered by a 1500 cc (92 cu in) 4-cylinder in-line SOHC engine and I-VTEC technology, designated as LEA, and equipped with Honda's IMA, Hybrid-Electric system. The car also comes in a six-speed manual and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) variant. The Honda CR-Z offers a maximum combined power of 124 HP (91 kW) at 6000 rpm and maximum torque of 128 lb. ·ft. (174 Nm) at 1500 rpm (123 lb. ·ft. (167 Nm) on models with CVT transmission). The gasoline engine delivers 111 hp (83 kW) at 6000 rpm and 106 lb. · ft. (144 N · m) at 4800 rpm.
Acceleration
A road test with a Japanese market unit achieved data of 0-100 km / h of 10.5 seconds and 400 m (1/4 mile) in 17.6 seconds according to the manufacturer. However, other 0-100 tests carried out by different sources arrived at different results. Inside Line, for example, obtained a result of 8.8 seconds while Motor Trend did even better with a quick 8.3 seconds only.
2012 CR-Z EX Continuously Variable TransmissionFuel Consumption
The average fuel consumption of the Honda CR-Z is 59 mpg when equipped with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) while the manual model achieved as long as 53 mpg. Not bad at all, right?
Interior
The Honda CR-Z is a two-seater featuring an interesting blend of textures and shapes inside. It has a sporty and sleek overall ambiance with a sloping roofline. It's important to mention here that the slope does affect the rear vision, especially regarding blind spots. Do not expect a lot of amenities from the interior however it has power doors and windows, telescopic steering wheel, cruise control, and a USB interface audio system. The EX variant offers a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth, and a 360-watt stereo system. The EX version also comes with illuminated controls in the dashboard for different modes which makes it look a bit more futuristic.
Body and Dimension
The Honda CR-Z has an overall length of 160.6 inches and a width of 68.5 inches. The car has a trunk volume of 25.1 cu. ft. The overall height of the car is 54.9 inches with a base curb weight of 2690 lbs.
Other Features
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- 3-point seat belts with front automatic tensioning system
- Tire pressure monitoring system
- 4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brakes
- Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure
- Side-impact door beams
- Daytime running lights
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- Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with traction control
- Dual-stage, multiple-threshold driver & front passenger airbags
- Dual front side-impact airbags with passenger-side occupant
- Driver/passenger-side curtain airbags
- Brake assist
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Honda CR-Z Average Sales Price
Honda is not manufacturing the CR-Z since 2016. The prices for the new CR-Z variants were as following:
- CR-Z 3 Door CVT: $19,995
- CR-Z 3 Door CVT EX: $21,555
- CR-Z 3 Door CVT EX with navigation: $23,355
- CR-Z 3 Door Manual: $19,345
Today, you can buy a used Honda CR-Z for an average price of $7000-$11000 depending upon the model, mileage, and condition of the car.
Honda CR-Z Review
Exterior Design
The design of the Honda CR-Z gives it an undoubted sporty look with certain features of a futuristic cut, very much in line with the Civic. To start with, the CR-Z is a hybrid that does not admit more motorization options in the range. The CR-Z is small, measuring 13.38 ft. long, 5.7 ft. wide and 4.5 ft. high, so by size, it is halfway between a utility and a compact. And of course, the CR-Z has its style that accentuates the wedge finish on the rear and, above all, on the tailgate. Another peculiarity is that the CR-Z is the first Honda to incorporate LED daytime running lights as standard.
Interior Design
Inside the CR-Z, the speedometer stands out with a 3D effect, again very futuristic. In the center of it, the speed is displayed in digital mode surrounded by a luminous ring that, in addition to serving as a separation with the rev counter, lights up in red, blue or green, as a reference of the driving mode we have adopted: sporty, normal or echo.
The driving posture is comfortable and the front seats, which have an integrated headrest, are ergonomic. Much less comfortable are the two rear seats, as there is hardly any room for the legs. The back of these seats can be folded down, in one piece to gain cargo space if necessary.
Behavior
You cannot say that the CR-Z has an authentic sports behavior, because neither its power nor the forcefulness of the throttle response allows it to reach such a point. But its agility, the tact of change and direction can make us believe in its sporty attitude.
The CR-Z borrows some components from the Jazz and Insight platform, though with specific set-ups and a different wheelbase and track width. The suspension configuration is spring and shock absorber, and although it does not feel soft, it leaves room to perceive the inertias of the body in strong supports and sharp turns.
In Brief...
The Honda CR-Z is different from the rest of the hybrid models in the market. Its aesthetics points and the sporty features along with its behavior make it different. The car’s acceleration is not enough to stay "stuck" to the back of the seat, especially if its battery isn't full, but it is agile and can even be fun to drive. It doesn’t matter if you are looking for Honda CR-Z 2011, 2016 or any other model in between, this hybrid vehicle is reliable, sporty, and affordable.