Honda CRZ Hybrid road test review

Interesting... manual transmissions are back w/Honda hybrids.

However, judging by their Honda's lackluster hybrid sales, I really don't think they'll sell that many in the US. I'm guessing that sales will stabilize to levels no higher than the Insight.

 

Looks like a two-seater Insight to me.

 

I dig it, so far. I'm also kinda glad that my gen 3 outperforms it too

 

ps. Honda had to know the crx's popularity post-1991 had a lot to do with owners interested in modifying their hondas, and much of that is performance based engine/drivetrain/exhaust system modifying.

Will hondas hybrid drivetrain allow for that? seems plausible since the battery is only an assist to the ICE, whereas the Toyota hybrid system seems a bit more integrated. do not know much about hondas hybrid system, tho

 

This is probably what should have been Insight II.

 

I'm not having any luck with the first link: Honda CR-Z Hybrid: A Surpise Hybrid Hit? - Review | Hybrid Cars

Bob Wilson

 

I would prefer this version of the CRZ:
World Exclusive Test: 2011 Spoon Sports CR-Z - Article - Road and Track

 

I found the article in google's cache:
First drive: 2011 Honda CR-Z wins on hybrid fun, not high mileage - Boston Overdrive - Boston.com

No, the gen 1 Insight was available in a manual.

 

I like this quote:

Well if at first you don't succeed, try again.

Bob Wilson

 

But not a 6-speed

 

Honda is sometimes like the genius scientist who can't tie their shoelaces ..

I've been to the CR-Z (Honda) website to browse around but can't for the life of me find whether the CR-Z is a 2 or 4 seater ...

uh, duh, minor detail Honda. I've been told it is a 4 seater, but still not sure of that.

... Ok, it is a 2 seater. Not surprised given it's short wheelbase.

I don't believe Honda can build a hybrid of much size and near 50 MPG fuel economy with their IMA, serial hybrid system.

 

$8000 more and you can have one...

Unfortunately, 25mpg city is only a bit better than what a WRX will do...

Its just speculation,but I get the feeling they could have probably shoehorned a k-series in there without giving up much fuel economy.

 

I hate to be a mood killer but to make an efficient, sports-hybrid:

• braking must be more than 50% efficient - there is an engineering rule of thumb taught to every sophomore engineering mechanical and well taught electrical engineering student that at most, the maximum energy transfer will be 50%. You can get less but you can not get more.

The rest of the engineering challenges pale. That Honda has not figured this out . . . well I'm not a Honda stock holder.

Look, I've been and remain an advocate of hydraulic hybrids not because I think overall they are superior but in energy conservation, they can not be beat ... but they are faced with the same, Newtonian, laws of physics. You can't cheat muther nature unless you are willing to comply with her rules . . . then you can trick-out her out using clever engineers (and there are a lot of them!)

Bob Wilson

 

The quoted people had better go back and do more research. In Canada, the Accord V6 hybrid got the same mileage as the Accord V6 manual transmission version. It was only available in hybrid form with the automatic. It WAS more powerful, however, and people DID get it. That's why it sold here.

Also, that's why Lexus hybrids sell so well. They are powerful cars. And BONUS, you get to brag you're "environmentally sound" because you bought a hybrid.

 

I just drove my wife's Insight last night. Like it a lot, and expect the CRZ isn't much different, except for the 5speed. More power and less gas mileage, I think, too. Hybrids are getting overlooked right now because of "low" gas prices. Plus the government really hasn't started turning the screws yet on gas mileage. You wonder if they ever will, with a President who is as soft as an overripe cantalope.

The Insight/CRZ and the Prius are two different cars. The Prius drives like a bigger sedan, with a bit less power and handling, and more comfort and cabin space. The Insight is smaller inside and peppier, handles better. The Prius gets better gas mileage--mine is getting 50 mpg right now, the Insight is getting 42.5 after 5K miles.That's with 4 trees out of 5 showing on the eco cluster. Probably can squeeze 45 mpg out of it with 5 trees.

The CRZ I know is rated at less mpg than the Insight. Is that the right direction to go? More power and less mpg in a hybrid? Sounds like the marketing idiots are taking over again--with their myopic vision.

I have to add a poke at those expensive hybrids like the Lexus. More power, less gas mileage, and they run on premium gas. 'nuf said.