2011 Honda CR-Z

2011 Honda CR-Z

It has been a bit since we have talked about the Honda CR-Z. However, on this day where we celebrate independence here in the U.S. it seemed appropriate to talk about a sports car that could help make us independent from the gas pump. The 2011 Honda CR-Z is position had the sports hybrid of Honda’s family of cars. It is based on the Insight (and weighs as much), but with seating for two and styling reminiscent of the popular Honda CRX. Can it live up to the CRX name and eco-friendly ideals it was born from?
2011 Honda CR-Z

2011 Honda CR-Z

The basic answer from reviews around TheCarConnection.com and other media outlets is that the CR-Z falls a little short. At 2,600 lbs and 122-horsepower, the $20K sports hybrid doesn’t excel in either the hybrid or sports car arena. With other competitors like the all-new 2011 Ford Fiesta in the same price category it seems like the CR-Z will be a hard sell to the mainstream consumer, especially when the Fiesta gets better gas mileage on the freeway (no surprising because the hybrid system does no good on the freeway) and has more seating capacity.

So why would you buy a 2011 Honda CR-Z? Really, the Honda CR-Z is more like a sport or two-door version of the Honda Insight and we agree with Marty Padgett when he says “If this were an Insight Sport, it might be perceived very differently.” However, as we reported recently, Honda has a plan for better hybrid technology and fuel-efficiency in general. That said, the CR-Z could be a strategic play in the market to keep the Honda name in the news until they can get back up to speed in the R&D department.

For the full 2011 Honda CR-Z review, click here.