Overview & Reviews

Much like the iconic Honda CRX that predates it by two decades, the Honda CR-Z attempts to blend fuel efficiency with fun-to-drive dynamics. This time around, Honda makes use of a hybrid powertrain to motivate this sporty-looking two-seater.

When it comes to acceleration and handling, the CR-Z is a far cry from being considered a sports car, but it's certainly livelier than the typical hybrid or economy car. On the whole, the Honda CR-Z represents a compromise between eco-friendly fuel consumption and everyday driving excitement. However, that compromise results in the CR-Z not really excelling in either category. Many competing non-hybrid subcompact cars offer similar efficiency and fun along with greater practicality, more features and higher refinement.

Current Honda CR-Z
The Honda CR-Z is offered in two trim levels: base and EX. The base model features alloy wheels, automatic climate control, full power accessories, cruise control, Bluetooth and an audio system with USB/auxiliary audio jacks. The EX adds xenon headlights, foglights, heated side mirrors and a premium audio system. A voice-activated navigation system is optional on the EX. Other options include 17-inch wheels, performance tires and satellite radio.

Powering the Honda CR-Z is a hybrid system consisting of a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine and an electric motor that is fed by a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. Maximum combined output is 130 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with shift paddles is optional (although torque is reduced to 123 lb-ft in this configuration). Fuel economy comes in at an EPA-estimated 34 mpg for the manual transmission model in combined city/highway miles, while the CVT ups that figure to 37 mpg.

Highlights for the CR-Z include its diminutive size, quick steering, customizable driving modes and sporty looks. The CR-Z's potential liability is ironically the source of its singular appeal, which is the lack of a rear seat. Honda instead has installed a pair of plastic cargo bins behind the seats, although they're rather difficult to access. The trunk divider can be folded flat to cover these bins, which increases cargo capacity to 25 cubic feet. The interior is handsomely designed, but the liberal use of hard plastics gives the cabin an entry-level feel. Poor rearward visibility and excessive road noise are also drawbacks.

Used Honda CR-Z Models
The CR-Z debuted for the 2011 model year. Prior to 2013, its hybrid powertrain produced 122 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque, making it even less performance-oriented than it currently is. Fuel economy remains unchanged, however. These first two model years had slightly different styling and fewer standard features. For instance, Bluetooth could only be had on an EX.

User Reviews:

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  The Cats meow - 2011 Honda CR-Z
  By pfukstik - May 14 - 8:41 am

  This is a great car, Get one!

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  Love having a hybrid thats cute and sporty - 2011 Honda CR-Z
  By twinsmom2 - March 29 - 2:51 pm

  I love this car! Ive had it a week and have averaged 45mpg just jetting around. I love that its a hybrid but not boring. We are empty nesters so the 2 seater is great for us. The hatch area comfortably fits our 35 lb dog. We are tall but fit very comfortably with plenty of leg and headroom. Great stereo even in the base model, and the silver mesh seats are really nice.

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  2011 CR-Z - 2011 Honda CR-Z
  By candyrose - February 12 - 11:05 pm

  Love this car! I just had to have it after taking it for a test drive. I wasnt sure about going from an SUV to a 2-seater, but when I thought about it, I realized that I rarely had more than one passenger at a time anyway and if I do need to have more than I can just swap cars with my husband. This care if pure fun and makes you smile every time you get in it.

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  The CRZ is much better than the CRX or Honda SI - 2011 Honda CR-Z
  By gatortd - January 26 - 8:42 pm

  I have owned a 1984 CRX and a 1993 Civic SI. The SI was more fun to drive than the CRX and my CRZ is much better than either one of these. There is more power than the SI with much better gas mileage. About the people that criticize it having only two seats...I dont know of anyone that would criticize a Corvette or a Porsche only having two seats. If I want to drive more than one other person around I will drive one of my other cars. This CRZ is to the 2000 teens what the Mustang was to the 1960s. Only now with gas at 14 times what it was in the 60s, it is all about gas mileage. Cars with poor gas mileage are obsolete dinosaurs.

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  Test Drive - 2011 Honda CR-Z
  By jrd325 - January 17 - 1:45 am

  Drove both the manual and automatic and found the manual more fund to drive. Particularly the close shifting ratio of the gears and the smooth shifting. The critics reviews on Edmunds are accurate. I am buying an automatic 2009 Nissan Maximum V-6 SE Coupe, which has 270 hp and I am averaging 22 MPGs. Wanted to test drive the CR-Z, not available in 2009 due to its MPGs and MSRP and the high trade-in vale of the Nissan. Decided the CR-Z is not worth purchasing due to what I would give up with the Nissan for only 12 more MPGs and the MSRP of the CR-Z, which is not being discounted that much, even if gas went to five dollars a gallon. Also due to the crash ratings. Would prefer to wait.

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  Best hybrid I have tested - 2011 Honda CR-Z
  By exf150owner - January 15 - 7:48 pm

  Tested/considered many hybrids. I love the tech of the Prius but just wanted something different and better looking. I love my little CRZ and smile every time I drive it. I had a couple in a prius pull up next to me to say how much they loved the car. Dont get me wrong the prius is a completely different vehicle with excllent storage , but if you want a great looking car that handles great, looks awesome and gets close to 40mpg real world this is for you!. Gauges are beautifull. Sound system is incredible. Reasonably low road noise. faste enough in sport mode. Excellent fit and finish.

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  CRX - REBORN - 2011 Honda CR-Z
  By Stealthwalker - December 1 - 2:00 am

  As a previous owner of a CRX-DX (7-years) this CRZ is a welcome pleasure. I traded in my 2001 A4 1.8TQ for this little piece of heaven. It is nice getting back to a smooth clutch. The Audi was a little long on both travel and throw. The exterior styling is a mix of Porsche 928 rear end & heavily modified S2000 front. The interior high end with soft touch controls like the Audi. The well placed control close to the driver. The 6 weeks has been unbelievable in the gas mileage. I am just about to fill up for the third time with: 41.7, 43.5 and 43.4 for miles/gal. avg. Not bad for a 80 City / 20 Highway driving. There seems to be no difference in Normal / Econ mode on mileage, just on stop idle.

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  CRZ in Miami - 2011 Honda CR-Z
  By mellow joe - November 20 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my 2007 Ford edge for the 2011 cr-z ex CVT. At first I had to get used to much less room and lower visibility but fun driving and spending 50% less gas money is great and helps to comfort me in other ways.

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  Almost a new CRX! - 2011 Honda CR-Z
  By Anne - November 14 - 2:00 am

  It was way past time to give up my beloved 20- year-old CRX-Si due to lack of modern safety features. Id kept my eye on the the development of the CR-Z and ended up buying a lovely white one, base model, 6-speed. My feelings for the CR-Z are skewed a bit by my love of the old-style steering, shifting, and handling of the CRX. In sport mode, the CR-Z comes close. The seats are not as comfortable for me as the old CRX, and the shifter feels kind of clunky. The blind spot was almost a deal breaker, but Im learning to trust the mirror. I am not totally sold that this needed to be a hybrid - the gas engine shutting down is still unnerving!

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  Almost bought one... - 2011 Honda CR-Z
  By WesK - November 3 - 2:00 am

  Honda, please take this engine/drivetrain and put it into a Fit! Having owned a Del Sol in a previous life, I know that a 2 seater car is not practical for me. The CRZ is a very traffic friendly vehicle. Like the Del Sol, when pushed it is surprisingly entertaining, but easy to keep under 100mph. It is balanced, handles well, and is much more solid feeling than the Del Sol. I got 40mpg on the test drive with mostly hills and traffic... Its not quite as fun to drive as a Mini Cooper, but it is so much more fun to drive than a Prius!