Honda CR-Z driving review
When I heard that I would be testing the Honda CR-Z hybrid sports coupé, I must admit I was unsure as I was not very familiar with this car, or even what type of car it is. Before I started writing about cars, sports cars have flown under the radar with me. But I must admit, since driving this dynamic two door coupé, my opinion has absolutely changed and to say I was impressed is an understatement.
The Honda CR-Z is a sharp looker, and this car does get noticed. As a motoring journalist you often drive different cars and sometimes you get those looks like, ”what is this girl doing in THAT car”. Especially in my mid-morning hour traffic session. This car wants to be noticed, and its pulling all the stunts to do so.
The new Honda CR-Z flashes a new front bumper, together with a revised grille and a panoramic glass sunroof. Filling the sporty Honda’s sculpted wheel arches are brand-new 17-inch alloy wheels with a striking design that places further visual emphasis on the CR-Z’s athletic character.
The updated model sports a new interior colour scheme, and leather upholstery for the sculpted bucket seats and the door panel inserts, creating a smart and sporty ambience. Standard features include Bluetooth, heated seats, rain-sensing wipers and auto headlights. The Honda CR-Z has also been rated one of Europe‘s safest cars, following on from the success of the Honda Insight, according to the new independent crash testing results from Euro NCAP.
This is the first time ever that a six-speed manual transmission has been used in a hybrid vehicle and – and I loved it. The CR-Z offers Auto Stop- Start where the engine is cut until you engage a gear and the transition is barely noticeable. On the road the car is a very smooth and fun car to drive. As I’ve never driven a hybrid before I didn’t expect I’d have this amount of fun. Normally, when you think hybrid, you think ”eco-friendly” – but in a bland sense. This is NOT the CR-Z, this Honda perfectly captualizes what a sporty hybrid should be. As Honda explained, the CR-Z is a “fusion of sport and ecology”. Yet, the CR-Z is more than that – it is clever with its compact packaging, hybrid power, low weight and decent dynamics as well as comfort.
While its 1,5-litre petrol engine has been retained, this latest version employs a revised i-VTEC linked to an updated ”Electronic Control Unit”. As a result, maximum power output has increased form the previous 84 kW to 89 kW. With both the petrol engine and the electric motor working in tandem, the IMA hybrid system is able to produce a combined total output of 101 kW (10,5 percent more than before) with an accompanying torque peak of 190 N.m (an improvement of 9,2 percent). The fuel consumption remains at 5,2 litres/100 km, while CO2 emissions are pegged at an equally laudable 124 g/km.
The trio of modes that the CR-Z offers do come in handy – ”Eco”, ”Normal” and ”Sport” mode. I was cruising in ”Eco” and ”Normal” all the way through traffic in the mornings and late afternoon, yet when you can drive more freely, the ”Sport” mode seems like the perfect option as it offers better handling, sharper throttle inputs and tight steering inputs. There has also been a ”Plus Sport” button added to the coupé’s multi-function steering wheel.The S+ mode provides instant access to the extra power boost provided by the electric motor for up to 10 seconds under full throttle.
From a practical point of view this car seemed a little challenging at first. Yet, three of us plus all our luggage (and I am talking bags, cooler boxes, tents, mattresses- the works) for a whole weekend fit into the car effortlessly, which really was surprising as its a three-door sports coupé. This made the car all that more attractive to me. The CR-Z also comes with a array of comfortable driving functions – the manual transmission comes standard with shift indicators and hill-start assist. Leather heated sport seats for the front occupants, an audio system with MP3 and USB capability with a full complement of speakers including a subwoofer, a shark-fin antenna, climate control, cruise control, and retractable side mirrors with heating are standard.
This hybrid is just much sportier and luxurious than one would think. Honda really hit the spot with this car, and as a ”hybrid sports coupe” is a niche car, if you’re in the market for this type of car and you have about R340 000 to spend – the Honda CR-Z is a no-brainer. You will get loads of driving fun, luxury, attention and the economical peace of mind that hybrids offer. And as you should know, owning a hybrid pays off in the long haul.