PLUSES: High mileage commuter at relatively low price. Sporty, performance version of a Honda hybrid. Decent space for cargo.
MINUSES: Only two seats. Doesn't operate in battery mode only. Bigger, 4 passenger Insight hybrid gets about 10 m.p.g. more at roughly the same price.
Hybrids cater to those who demand high mileage, but why can't those who want a car to deliver a little spirit and spunk have one that delivers higher performance as well as higher mileage?
Enter Honda and the CR-Z, a hybrid for those who put mileage AND muscle at the top of their priority list. The 2011 CR-Z is aimed at those who want better mileage without being sentenced to creep along gathering dust and exhaust residue in the slow lane.
It's a two in one car, with both mileage and muscle, but a little coupe that still is a tad puzzling.
The CR-Z is a two seater mini that joins the all new 4 passenger Honda Insight hybrid, which had been a two seater mini considered too small for most folks so it was stretched in size to hold 4. Hmm?
CR-Z is slightly more petite than the mini Honda Fit and is Honda's smallest hybrid. It features a 1.5 liter gas engine teamed with an electric motor powered by a nickel metal hydride battery pack that develops 122 h.p.
It delivers a much more lively launch from the light or down the merger lane than the bigger Insight does with its smaller 1.3 liter gas engine and electric motor powered by a nickel metal hydride battery pack that develops a mere 98 h.p.
But the added pep comes at a price---the CR-Z is rated at 31 m.p.g. city and 37 m.p.g. highway with 6-speed manual, while Insight is rated at 40 m.p.g. city and
43 m.p.g. highway with a CVT automatic. We tested CR-Z with manual, a short throw, smooth as silk shifter, which wasn't unexpected since Honda manuals are appreciated for smooth operation.
And note that CR-Z mileage cited of 31 m.p.g. city/37 m.p.g. highway was with 6-speed manual, a first for a hybrid vehicle. CR-Z also offers a CVT automatic rated considerably better than the manual---35 m.p.g. city and 39 m.p.g.
highway.
So Insight is a foot longer than CR-Z, holds 2 more people than CR-Z---like the kids or friends---and has both greater mileage and greater driving range than CR-Z to help offset the cost of gas.
So why even bother with manual when automatic gets better mileage?
Honda says the reason for manual is the reason for CR-Z in the first place, to give conservation minded motorists a sporty car to have a little fun in while still saving fuel. And it says manual makes a car sportier than automatic. Honda expects about one third of all CR-Z buyers to opt for manual.
The manual version is tuned for more aggressive motoring than the automatic so it delivers more low end torque for quicker response to pedal input. The automatic is designed for smoother, lower speed takeoffs, the reason fuel economy is higher.
CR-Z has good energy. Schematics in the instrument panel show when in gas mode only and when the electric motor is contributing an added boost of adrenalin, which is quite often. The schematics reveal the battery pack plays a significant
role in helping the four cylinder respond.
But since sporty response is the goal, CR-Z never runs in battery mode only so the gas engine can loaf, unlike Insight which can be coaxed to run in battery mode only up to about 45 m.p.h. by using a feather light touch on the gas pedal to maintain low speed. That's not what CR-Z is all about.
Honda says with manual or automatic the gas engine also will shut off at a stop light rather than waste fuel idling. The manual in the test car must not have read that memo and kept idling at the light without taking time to pause.
To optimize muscle or mileage, CR-Z has a choice of three pushbutton settings---normal, economy, and sport. The settings regulate engine throttle response, power steering effort, and electric motor assist for maximum performance and quickest off the line power and steering response in sport mode, to lower speed acceleration, less battery assist, and reduced air conditioner blower speed for maximum mileage in economy mode.
When summer temps soar, a reduction in A/C blower speed is about as welcome as being handed a warm beer.
The coupe is more adventurous in sport mode, more somber when you push the economy button.
In case you don't recognize how driving habits impact fuel economy, the CR-Z instrument panel background color shows up green when conserving or blue when wasting. Sport mode leaves little doubt and simply shows red.
And a variety of instrument panel schematics show when mileage rises or falls and what your mileage is and how many miles you have until reaching empty.
But it takes neither an instrument panel full of battery/gas/mileage schematics nor a rocket scientist to understand that you save fuel when you move away from the light smoothly without lead foot giving the command, when coasting with foot off the gas pedal, and when rolling at low speeds over flat roads.
But you waste fuel when leaping away from the light, when having foot placed firmly against the gas pedal so its even with the floor, and when needing the energy to travel up steep grades and inclines.
The CR-Z is offered in base or EX versions with manual or automatic and with or without navigation system. We tested it in EX trim with manual and voice activated navi.
You can play with the CR-Z like you would any sports coupe and still enjoy high mileage, which is a pleasure many sports coupes don't deliver, though the Ford Mustang with its 305 h.p. V-6 rated at 31 m.p.g. highway certainly is an exception to the rule.
CR-Z is a fun little runabout that features styling similar to the original 2 seater 2000 model Honda Insight with its split window hatch with glass top and back separated by a metal beam. The design blocks the view out the rear window, while the tiny rear quarter windows obstruct vision when backing from the driveway or parking lot.
The coupe sits low and wide. With a low center of gravity the coupe doesn't wiggle or jiggle and clings to the pavement in corners and turns. Stability control and a sports tuned suspension help ensure very good handling minus lean or sway.
Seats are wide, supportive, and well cushioned, but the angle of the backs is pronounced and the tops curve sharply forward. It's like sitting in a chair shaped like the letter C. You have to recline the seat back to compensate. And slimmer door arm rests would provide some added thigh room. If power window/door lock controls house on the arm rests were moved to the center console some wiggle space would be gained.
The hatchback has decent cargo/gear room and comes with a pull shade to hide contents. Or, remove the shade, fold down the cabin/cargo divider wall (which would be the rear seat back if CR-Z had rear seats, which it doesn't) and cargo room is very spacious.
What looks like a pair of rear seats actually are a pair of deep cargo containers where the seat bottom cushions normally are located. When the rear cabin/cargo wall is folded flat, it covers the containers so you can hide a wide assortment of valuables inside, from computers to gifts, or simply things you don't want tossed about the cabin. There are no safety belts in back so don't even try carrying kids.
Prices start at $19,200 for CR-Z with manual, $19,850 with automatic; $20,060 for EX with manual, $21,410 EX with automatic, and $22,560 for EX with voice activated navigation and manual, $23,210 for EX with navi and automatic. Add $750 to all versions for freight.
Both versions offer climate control, side curtain air bags, stability control, power windows, locks, and mirrors. EX adds a 360 watt AM/FM/CD high power audio system with 7 speakers, Bluetooth hands free phone, leather wrapped steering wheel, heated power mirrors, fog lamps, HID headlamps, and aluminum pedals.
Missing---no power seats to reduce some of the electrical load, and no power sunroof because with the sharp slope and large glass on the hatch lid, there isn't room for one.
A couple neat and unusual features are a hood designed to quickly deform to reduce the chance of severe injury when making contact with a pedestrian, hill start assist on manual models to keep the car from rolling at startup on steep inclines, a stowage compartment with lid in the top of the dash, and an air conditioning vent in the glove box to help cool a 16 ounce water bottle. The glove box also has a pen holder to jot down notes when needed.
Honda says the beauty of CR-Z is that the gas engine/electric motor play dual roles in contributing to higher mileage or higher performance.
2011 Honda CR-Z Wheelbase: 95.8 inches
Length: 160.6 inches
Engine: 1.5 liter, 122 h.p., 4 cylinder with nickel metal hydride battery pack and 10 kilowatt electric motor.
Transmission: 6-speed manual.
Mileage: 31 m.p.g. city/37 m.p.g. highway.
Base price: $22,560.
Price as equipped: Add $750 freight.