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2011 Honda CR-Z Photo

2011 Honda CR-Z - Review

MSRP: $19,345 - $23,355 FREE Price Quotes
 
5 36,838 views August 30, 2010

2011 Honda CR-Z

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 $100,000-plus Italian exotic), but then it wasn't necessarily meant to be. And we suspect the tuner industry will quickly offer up a whole raft of performance and handling upgrades to make it much sportier.

The 2011 CR-Z has its quirks--any hybrid does, and the CR-Z adds a few of its own--but the small size, relatively tight handling, and generally cheerful character made it the kind of car people tend to like despite its quirks. It went on sale a week ago today.

More impressive than its size

The 2011 Honda CR-Z turned many more heads than we'd expected, and elicited frequent questions from former CRX owners and other interested parties.

It doesn't look as small as it is, and the truncated, very high tail and roofline combine with the lengthy hood to give it unique and distinctive proportions. Especially from the rear, it's more old Insight than older CR-X, but we think the combination works well.


HI-RES GALLERY: 2011 Honda CR-Z

 
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Comments (5)

  1. fb_1001015277 avatar John Briggs Posted: 8/30/2010 1:30pm PDT

    Benchmarks, Benchmarks, Benchmarks.
    Why compare this two-seater vehicle to the 2010 four-seater Honda Insight?
    This is a two seater.
    The more obvious benchmark is the 2000 Honda Insight.
    49 MPG City/ 61 MPG Highway.
    or 60% better highway fuel economy than the CRZ.
    Yes I know, both cars are much better than a Chevy Suburban, you don't need to tell me again.
     
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  2. john_v avatar John Voelcker Posted: 8/30/2010 3:04pm PDT

    @John: Because the CR-Z and the new Insight both use the same set of running gear with minor variations, and because interested hybrid buyers who are put off by a two-seater may well cross-shop the Insight. That's why.
     
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  3. By Mike Kaufmann Posted: 9/19/2010 6:32pm PDT

    I have a MINI S model, and though it is a great diving car, the mileage is a crappy 22mpg. Time to switch to a hybrid with a sporty touch. And NO BMW 91 octane requirement!which lificart
     
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  4. fb_100001570688303 avatar Eric Williams Posted: 9/28/2010 1:52pm PDT

    used cars
    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.
     
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  5. fb_100000414682642 avatar Matthew Rogge Posted: 7/19/2011 8:37pm PDT

    So when you say, "It also has active *front* headrests", that's as opposed to what? The "rear" headrests? Oh yeah - it doesn't have rear seats.
     
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