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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  Great tuner car - 2011 Honda CR-Z
  By Sean - January 15 - 2:00 pm

  Ill start with this I got my crz in 2014 after gaulking at them on the road since my senior year of high school. Finally had one of my dream cars! It handles like a sports car should and for a hybrid it has quite some pick up to it if your looking for speed in this car you wont find it in the econ or normal mode but throw it in to sports mode and if automatic turn on manual mode and Ive out ran chargers on the highway. There any many downfalls to this car pros is quick fun to drive the navigation and sound system is on spot and you Def turn heads is one of those cats that make people go "thats a hybrid"?!? Cons like everyone else says yes it has a blind spot that can hide a semi truck all my windows are tinted to witch makes backing up at night quite the task in America us there are no back seats they replaced them with Extra cargo but if you buy pays out of Europe the car was originally designed with a 2seat back seat is only big enough for small children and I recently did my own oil on my z for the first time myself out was difficult since the ground Clarence is no more the about maybe 3and 1/2 in you cans drive it up on ramps or anything. But what about do people dont want to go through the trouble doing is the tuning of the car Honda made the crz as a throw back to the crx and it is just as customizable if you have some extra money to put in to it. Get a muggen or spoon or hks racing kit and youll have a car of envy at the Track.

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  Honda CRZ Navi - 2016 Honda CR-Z
  By Warren Bernau - November 12 - 3:04 pm

  Other than average acceleration, a quality Honda product.

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  Great fun, great value! - 2016 Honda CR-Z
  By CL in Calif - November 4 - 12:57 am

  My wife & I wanted a two-seater with some cargo space thats fun to drive and doesnt cost too much. This Honda CRZ hybrid is exactly what we were looking for. We test drove several roadsters and none came close in terms of purchase price and fuel economy. With its 3 driving modes, we have it all from 36 mpg average (1/3 city & 2/3 hwy) to thrilling performance. In the sport mode, this is a little rocket ship and handles as well as other roadsters we tested. For around $21,000 (new), its a great value--nice & comfortable interior, attractive gauges and decor, good entertainment system w/ bluetooth, plenty of cargo room, great handling. Road and engine noise are a bit loud, but thats a part of being a roadster. Other cars we own are Ford Explorer, Mercedes R350 & a Prius, so this fits in very nicely with our collection. We would have liked this to be a convertible. But, all things considered, thats a small sacrifice. This rocket ship is just plain fun to drive, without bleeding my pocket book. MPG would be better if we drove more in ECO mode, but that defeats the point of having a roadster!

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  The only sport hybrid in the world - 2016 Honda CR-Z
  By chris pantaleon - September 12 - 8:23 am

  The CRZ is the only hybrid that comes with a manual 6-speed transmission. It has gears!!! Compared to other hybrids that have CVTs that kill hp, torque and driving fun.

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  Two days and Im hooked - 2011 Honda CR-Z
  By Leslie - December 22 - 10:25 pm

  I shall forewarn you, Im rather biased when it comes to this car because my first and only car before this was a 1999 CRV. Compared to that vehicle, this thing has EVERYTHING. Its sporty enough for me, and its features just keep piling on! Im used to the only way I could listen to the music on my phone/iPod was through a radio FM transmitter, so going from that to having USB, Aux, CD, Bluetooth... Im overwhelmed. Unfortunately Im also overwhelmed by the dash. There are about a billion buttons on the dash. I can kinda get the feel for how the designer tried to make it less confusing with grouping certain items on different parts of the dashboard, but itll take some MAJOR getting used to before I can do anything while driving. Another huge downfall is the visibility. Other reviews here have hit the nail on the head about backing out of a parking space; damn near impossible. My advice: go very slow and hope someone lets you out. If you adjust your mirrors out wide enough, though, you can easily get rid of blind spots while moving no problem. Also, it could be that since Im used to my CRV, but the doors are very long, and if you have to park somewhat close next to someone, it is a major struggle getting out of this vehicle. This car sits very low to the ground as well. I have not had problems yet with scraping at curbs, but I know for sure I have a hard time standing up after Im done driving. Again, this could be bias based on the fact all Ive ever known is a CRV. As far as the drive goes, its fairly smooth for a car that sits so low. However, coming out of a stop while the engine is off is a little rough, almost like the hybrid doesnt mix very happily with the CVT. This is the only instance where something like that happens, though. I am EXTREMELY happy with the sound system. I annoy everyone with the subs. The seating is very comfortable for a moderate sized person, forming to typical curves of a normal human body. Also for a sporty car, there is a LOT of leg room. Probably due to the fact that it has no back seat, which was honestly one of the biggest hesitant factors I had when buying the car. However, since it has extra cargo space under a decently revealing cargo door, I dont normally have problems with a space issue unless I have 3+ people that want to ride with me. Decent sacrifice to make for a car like this one. Oh, and the projected MPGs are a bit lower than what I usually get since I dont normally drive like a maniac anyway. Overall, Im very happy with this car, and I definitely turn lots of heads with it.

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  my Honda CRZ 2013 - 2013 Honda CR-Z
  By Erte27 - November 24 - 11:20 pm

  Have had my Z for about four years now just love it . Its The most fun Ive had in a car in a long time . I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone not sure why people think no backseat Is a bad thing . other cars have backseats and are very uncomfortable .most people drive in cars by themselves . I get 37 miles per gallon always have it in sport. ( guess I could get better gas mileage if I try probably wouldnt be as much fun )