Review
Honda CR-Z coupe
Price: £17,695 - £22,640
/5
- Pros:
- Hi-tech hybrid engine
- Fuel economy
- Sporty drive
- Cons:
- Not genuinely quick
- Back seats are cramped
- Obstructed view out the back window
reviewed by Carbuyer
"With a hi-tech hybrid engine and sporty set-up, the CR-Z attempts to offer driving thrills and with low running costs."
At a glance
- The greenest
- 1.5 IMA Sport 3dr
£18,735 - The cheapest
- 1.5 IMA S 3dr
£17,695 - The fastest
- 1.5 IMA S 3dr
£17,695 - Top of the range
- 1.5 IMA GT Navigation 3dr
£22,640
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As fuel-prices are on the up, it's becoming harder to find genuine driving thrills on a budget. But Honda thinks it has the answer. The CR-Z is based on the Honda Insight, but it uses a 112bhp 1.5-litre engine, rather than a 1.3-litre unit. The petrol engine is paired with a 10bhp electric motor, which gives the CR-Z a 0-62mph time of 9.9 seconds and top speed of 124mph. Neither figure is particularly impressive, but the CR-Z shines in corners, helping it to earn its title as the world's first hybrid sports car.
Drive
Fun to drive but could do with more speed
With a 0-62mph time of 9.9 seconds, performance isn't exactly blistering, but for many drivers it may prove to be enough. There are three selectable driving modes on offer in the CR-Z including 'Eco', 'Sport' and 'Normal', with the first of these three claiming to improve fuel economy by up to 10%. It does mean that the Honda feels much slower than when it is left in 'Normal' mode though. 'Sport' is the most exciting mode and the engine responds much more quickly to throttle inputs. The six-speed manual gearbox is accurate and feels very sporty, making the CR-Z an exciting drive when it's demanded.
Comfort
Ride is sporty but still comfortable
To go with its sporty image, the CR-Z has got stiff suspension which helps to improve grip and cornering ability. It also means that bumps in the road become more pronounced, but on the whole the Honda is still comfortable over long distances. Passengers sitting in the front will find supportive and comfortable seats with plenty of headroom, but the rear seats should only really be reserved for small children.
Reliability
Safe and reliable – despite complex engine
Power is delivered by a complicated petrol-electric set-up, but the CR-Z should prove to be quite a reliable car. It uses the same technology as the Honda Insight, and that model has had no major issues since its release. The CR-Z also managed to score a full five stars in the Euro NCAP safety test, with an impressive 93 per cent score for adult occupant protection.
Practicality
Rear seats extremely cramped, boot is reasonable
The CR-Z isn't the most practical of cars and boasts only 225 litres of boot space. There are back seats fitted, but they're incredibly cramped and only really suitable for small children. Most buyers will keep the rear seats folded down all the time to increase boot space.
Value for money
Expensive, but good standard equipment
The CR-Z is more expensive than some rivals, but that's down to its complicated mechanicals. Even so, you do get quite a lot of equipment as standard. Even basic S models, costing around £17,000, get electronic stability control, air-conditioning and 16-inch alloy wheels included. Range-topping GT models cost nearer £20,000 but get full-leather upholstery, automatic lights and wipers and a Bluetooth phone connection.
Running costs
Efficient– but diesel cars are still better
This is where the CR-Z shines. Its petrol-electric set-up means it averages 56.5mpg for fuel economy and has emissions of 117g/km. That's not quite as low as some diesel engines, but it's still impressive considering the performance on offer. The CR-Z also has a stop/start system which cuts the engine when the car is stationary, helping to reduce both emissions and fuel consumption.
