2011 Honda CR-Z - Review

John Voelcker

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John is Senior Editor for High Gear Media. In addition to news coverage and new car reviews, John creates and oversees all editorial for High Gear's... More

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2011

OVERALL RATING 8
out of 10

Here at High Gear Media, we've followed the launch of the 2011 Honda CR-Z two-seat hybrid sports car with great interest.

In name, it's a reincarnation of the much-loved 1984-1992 CRX two-seater. In shape and technology, though, it's as reminiscent of the first-generation 1999-2006 Honda Insight as it is of the CRX.

We just spent a long weekend and 420 miles with the CR-Z, and we liked it.

We enjoyed our drive and the 2011 CR-Z defininitely delivered on its promise of fun yet frugal performance: Our gas mileage averaged 37.7 miles per gallon over the complete test.

That compares to EPA ratings of 31 city, 37 highway with a six-speed manual transmission, or 35/39 with the continuously variable transmission. Those are lower than the 2010 Honda Insight, rated at 40/43 mpg, but the few extra dollars per month in gasoline are more than outweighed by the CR-Z's much higher fun-to-drive quotient.

It's not a true sports car like the 2010 Mazda Miata (or the Chevrolet Corvette, or any...

UPDATE2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid Coupes With Manual Gearboxes Recalled

About 5,600 CR-Z hybrid coupes from the 2011 model year are being recalled to update the control software for their electric motor. The goal is to avert a rare condition under which the car could move in an unexpected direction if the driver doesn't apply the brakes before restarting after stalling in gear with low battery-pack charge. Read Update