2011 Honda CR-Z Review

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The 2011 CR-Z is Honda's third hybrid, joining the compact Civic Hybrid and Insight, both of which seat five. Honda's CR-Z hybrid coupe remains on track as a 2011 model, on sale in late 2010. Honda wants sports-car enthusiasts to buy it not because it's green, but because it's fun. The carmaker considered doing a non-hybrid version of the CR-Z, but it desperately wants to be seen as a hybrid supplier on par with Toyota and believes it needs a range of dedicated hybrid-only models to achieve that. Despite having just two seats, the small CR-Z has the lowest gas mileage of the three. The CR-Z is intended to be sportier, both in appearance and driving experience than previous models. The manual transmission gives lower mileage, though, at 33 mpg in combined city/highway driving. To suit the driver's needs, the CR-Z has Sport, Normal and Econ modes. Econ's focus is on fuel economy, while Sport makes the acceleration more responsive and decreases the power-steering assist for a sportier feel.

Honda CR-Z Power and Drive

For power, the CR-Z uses a relatively simple system that puts an electric motor in tandem with a gas engine, in this case a 1.5-liter four-cylinder. Though the engine shuts off when the car is stopped, it's always turning over when the car's in motion. The engine and motor combined produce 122 horsepower, which is 24 hp more than the Insight does. The front-wheel-drive CR-Z is now the only hybrid in years to offer a manual transmission as well as an automatic. The six-speed stick is standard; a continuously variable automatic transmission is optional and includes steering-wheel shift paddles for a manual step-gear feel. While a lot of attention has been paid to the fact that the CR-Z comes with a 6-speed manual transmission, it is, in fact, also available with a high-tech Continuously Variable Transmission or CVT. To give the driver a sporty feel, Honda engineers have mapped out seven gear points for use when the paddle shifters are used. This gives the driver a greater sense of control and immediacy. The paddle shifters can be used for down-shifting when coming to a stop, increasing engine braking, or they can be used to keep a higher RPM when driving through a corner, allowing for instant exit power.

2011 CR-Z Design

The two trim levels include a base CR-Z and a feature-laden CR-Z EX. The CR-Z is fairly similar to the concept car of the same name that hit the auto show circuit in 2007, but with less dramatic curves. The CR-Z's spirit and design shares that model's split liftgate window, an element that remains controversial in terms of both style and the driver's visibility in the Insight and Toyota Prius.

Inside the Honda CR-Z

The cabin of this upcoming Honda model is an effective design similar to that of the Insight, with cockpit-style driver-oriented controls and displays. Storage bins behind the seats are separated from the cargo area by a bulkhead that can be folded forward to extend the cargo hatch's floor — similar to a folding seat's backrest. A retractable cargo cover is available. Even the ventilation controls are on a pod near the driver; there's no conventional control panel on the center of the dashboard, which puts the optional navigation system right of center. The cloth seats are roomy, and the steering wheel both tilts and telescopes. Standard features on the CR-Z include, but aren't limited to, power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, single-zone automatic climate control, cruise control and a CD stereo with a USB audio interface. The EX trim level adds xenon headlights, fog lights, a premium stereo with subwoofer, Bluetooth connectivity, a leather steering wheel and a center storage console. Navigation is optional only on the EX. There's plenty of headroom for tall drivers. Flatten the rear seats and you create 14.1 cubic feet of luggage space, enough for a couple of suitcases, or two golf bags.

Conclusions

For safety, the CR-Z offers frontal airbags, seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and side curtains. Also standard are active head restraints, antilock four-wheel-disc brakes and an electronic stability system with traction control. The CR-Z's dash is well set out, superbly illuminated and intuitive. The other leg of Honda's small-car hybrid tripod, the Fit hybrid, also is going ahead for a '10 release. To give the Insight a lower overall height than the Fit, for reduced aero drag at highway speeds, the fuel tank was moved from under the front seats in the Fit to under the rear seats in the Insight. As a two-seater, the CR-Z's smaller body mass versus the Insight should make up for the weight of the bigger engine, brakes, and tires. So a 2800-pound total, with lots of electric-assist torque and a revvy gasoline engine, should make it the real deal as a pocket performance coupe.