Test Drive: 2011 Honda CR-Z

I love the exterior design of the Honda CR-Z and would consider one as our 2nd vehicle, but until they make a full hybrid I'm sticking with the Prius.

 

I haven't driven a Honda CR-Z. But I own a Honda Fit. And I can believe the articles contention that despite the CVT transmission and the 1.5 liter four cylinder engine the CR-Z is fun to drive.

That's something Honda is very good at doing. Designing small, lightweight, tossable "fun to drive" vehicles.

It wasn't a huge selling point to me, but I would say, my Honda Fit is one of the potentially fun vehicles to drive. While like the CR-Z being small and lightweight and not overly powered...it rides like a go-kart. It is IMO the elusive "fun to drive" vehicles.

Now if they could just upgrade their Hybrid system and combine that with a "little" better efficiency...

 

Keep in mind that EPA testing is done in default driving modes. Which is why the Insight2 has higher reported user fuel economy than the official numbers. It was tested in normal mode, and most drivers likely put it in econ. Same with the CR-Z, but I expect its fun to drive aspect will keep reported numbers in the lower range. If you can keep it in check, it should easily beat its reported numbers.

The CR-Z is growing on me, but I wish manufacturers didn't feel the to put virtual gears on a CVT. At least allow me to turn them off.

 

there is not a single CVT on the market that makes you use virtual gears.

they are all optional like an sport mode, and BTW, once you drive CVT's, you will realize they are most welcome.

In fact, i wish they used virtual gears even in auto mode.

 

I've heard differently, but honestly wasn't interested enough to spend the time researching it.

Wait, are you saying it doesn't have virtual gears in the other modes, operating like a Prius, or that you don't have to use the manual shifters?

I heard sport has 5 'gears', normal 6, and econ 7.

 

It's still basically a two-seater insight that's slow and basically guzzles gas for what it is: a slow two seater hybrid. It may be "fun" to drive around corners but it's not quick and its small size combined with terrible gas mileage and relatively high price I think it's a total dud. I have not driven one, though.

The original insight is a decade old and trumps the hell out of the CR-Z on mileage. It is slower still, but it's like the CR-Z doesn't know what it is, a fuel-sipper or something fast? And so it's neither in the end.

 

This hybrid is smaller, more expensive and gets worse gas mileage than the current 4-door Insight. It is a step backwards--something you might expect from GM, but not from Honda.

 

Both the present Insight and the CR-Z make an absolute killer first impression on me. What cool looking cars! The Insight seems just the right size when the Prius G3 is bigger and heavier than I would like. I love those low plexiglass rear windows, that obviate the need for a rear-view camera.

Insight and CR-Z both have twist-beam rear axles and cone-and-belt transmissions. Where I might overlook one of those, the combination of the two is a total deal breaker.

Neither comes remotely close to the fuel economy of the original Insight or the old CRX. (Back in the day, I test-drove and rejected both of those for crash-unworthiness. I drove a Mercedes 190e-2.3.) Progress? Wth?!

 

OK.

Back to the fuel economy, Honda may not have used all their fuel saving goodies, mainly engine tech, as they did with the Insight2. They claimed then it was for cost savings, but it likely had more to do with keeping the Civic their flagship hybrid, and not wanting to outshine it.

 

A lot of good it did them.
Don't know how much it saved on the sticker, but the Insight2 didn't use all the engine technology used it the older Civic hybrid. With the final pricing being higher than many hoped, they probably would have been better off getting higher economy ratings for it.

Honda has been slipping. Maybe they should put Asimo in charge.

 

Welp, I don't know CR-Z's, but I sure like my Honda ... Accord Coupe. It's a pleasure to drive and I averaged 30 MPG on my last tank. Guess half highway miles. Nice car .... and yes, the seats rock. I don't adjust anything, I just drive now like I always did before the 2009 Priapus (oooh doggy that didn't work for me).

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Honda slipping ... that'll happen. They're not going to sell many of those new Civics, no.
pfffft, those things will be everywhere, Elantra or not. Sits like a Honda inside, not POS Corolla.
Won't be slipping in green when the Fit Electric is out next year, hopefully.

 

My brother liked his Accord too. But the early 2000s had a weak, prone to failure transmission behind the V6. To be fair, the second failure may have been do to the flood it was in, but his doctor also had the same problems in the same model.

I like their cars from the '90s. My boss still has his '96 Accord. It just seems that lately, Honda has just been coasting on their reputation without putting in the effort. For fuel efficiency, they do have some of the best engine technology and innovation. The Civic VX is still highly sought after by hypermilers. With a full hybrid system, they should easily beat the Prius. They get close with they have now.

Honda recently announced a new engine they have been developing. There is differences in details, but it is a true Atkinson cycle. So maybe they'll turn it around.

 

This is all they show for their Plug-in hybrid -

Honda Plug-in Hybrid Concept - Official Site

and Toyota is going to unveil the production Prius Plug-in next month ...
so, Honda is behind Toyota in green cars.

 

That Honda plugin hybrid sounds so much like Toyota HSD plugin.