2011 Honda CR-Z hybrid scores too low for Consumer Reports to Recommend

That's too bad. I wouldn't consider it because it's a 2 seater and it's pretty tough to get in and out of to be a daily driver (seat very low to ground). But for those looking for a sporty 2-seater, go for it.

 

Their comment that over-the-shoulder visibility in the CR-Z is poor is something that I can totally relate to with regards to my 2007 Civic coupe (I know, different model). I'm not one of those fidgety lane changers and never was uncomfortable changing lanes in any car. But in my Civic, happened for the second time today, despite seeing the coast clear in the passenger side mirror and over-the-shoulder, there was a car lurking in the blind spot. Had a narrow miss today. The first time it had happened a few weeks ago, I suspected that either I wasn't paying attention or the other guy came too fast. No such doubt today. It's uncanny how I was lulled into a confident feeling that it was clear to change but wasn't!

 

Honda has made a few that don't sell in the expected numbers.

The Accord Hybrid is one of Honda's other mistakes.

I am hoping Honda comes out with a more powerful hybrid system. 15 HP or less on the electric side is just not enough.

 

They would do well to hybridize the Fit, their best compact car. The CR-Z hybrid looks like a marketing dept idea--make a hybrid faster with a more powerful gas engine. The result is a drop in gas mileage--the wrong direction.

The Insight is still their best hybrid. It is sporty and faster than my Prius II. Gas mileage in the low 40s.

 

I can agree. I drove a manual recently and that was the best part of the car. The Lexus CT was clearly sportier which really made me scratch my head. The CR-Z wasn't bad but it just wasn't great.

 

the CR-Z is a waste, MPG is low for such a small, powerless car. A Fit hybrid would have been much better or releasing a s2000 style hybrid

 

The CRZ is not a waste to some people. Read a new CRZ owner's explanation.

The mileage is the same on CRZ as people get in a Prius. You can get 31 mpg , 45mpg, 55mpg, to over 100mpg. It is how you drive it.

 

Could it be that Honda has a lot more in common with the old GM than we think? The poor efforts that we have seen from Honda on the hybrid front seem to point to a company that is being dragged kicking and screaming into the market of fuel efficient vehicles.

• Manual transmission?
• Shuts off A/C at stops?
• Poor fuel economy?
• Tell everyone that it handles great when it doesn't? (Ok, these magazines can go way overboard on the way a car handles, in the end the common driver has no clue anyway!)

The Insight had 6" hacked off of the wheelbase compared to the Prius, and a less powerful engine/motor, shuts off A/C at stops, less fuel efficent... Honda is stuck on "Honda. We make it simple."

 

OUCH! I don't consider myself big, but with my wife and I in the car, that only leaves about 100 lbs for cargo. Guess it's going to be limited to purely fun and grocery getting!

To bad about the review, I really like the CR-Z and still want one. But then I know what I'm getting and why I want it. Granted I won't be running out tomorrow to buy one, but maybe by this time next year if there is a glut of them still on the market and Honda stops treating them like they are gold plated, I might just splurge...