2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid Review
2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid Review
Here are all the juicy details on the 2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid
-Heavily influenced by 1984-1991 Honda CRX and 2000-2004 Honda Insight
-Front engine, front wheel drive
-Two-passenger hatchback
-1.5 liter SOHC I-4 engine combined with Honda's sixth generation IMA system, which adds a 10 kilowatt DC electric motor and 100 volt nickel metal hydride battery
-Two transmissions offered: standard 6 speed manual, optional CVT
Estimated EPA Fuel economy of 31/37 city/highway mpg (6MT) and 36/38 city/highway mpg (CVT)
Honda's preliminary estimates put CR-Z at 2670 lbs for the 6-speed manual version and 2725 lbs for the CVT. For comparison's sake, here are the weights of a few notable gas sippers we tested recently: 2009 Honda Fit/2521 lbs, 2010 Honda Insight/2735 lbs, and 2010 Toyota Prius/3171 lbs. Out of curiosity, we looked up the CR-Z's grandfather, the 1985 Honda CRX HF, and found that it weighed a paltry 1718 lbs - which explains its tiny 58 horsepower engine.
In addition to the unique powertrain controller which offers up normal, economical, and sport driving modes, CVT equipped CR-Zs will have four distinct gear ratios available via paddle shifters. 5) CR-Z will be produced in Japan at Honda's Suzuka Factory which also produces Civic/Civic Hybrid, Insight, Fit, and JDM models Jazz and Edix.
MPG-o-Matic 2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid Review Summary: Though purists may be hard-pressed to call it a true sports car, the two-seat "Honda CR-Z" is the sportiest hybrid to hit the road in 2011. With a heritage that includes the Honda CR-X Si pocket rocket and ground-breaking Insight hybrid, the CR-Z has a twisty path to follow.
The official fuel economy estimates for the 2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid are 35 city / 39 highway miles per gallon (MPG) when equipped with the CVT and 31 city / 37 highway with the six-speed manual.
The "2011 CR-Z Hybrid" is equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels. The CR-Z Hybrid is fitted with a 10.6 gallon fuel tank, and is designed to run regular unleaded fuel.
Compare the CR-Z Hybrid to the original CR-X, and the power-to-weight issue is clear. The CR-Z Hybrid is equipped with anti-lock (ABS) brakes and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with Traction Control.
A three-mode drive system allows you to configure the CR-Z’s personality. Like other Honda hybrids, the CR-Z cannot accelerate on electric power alone. The CR-Z’s interior is space-age dramatic, bordering on spartan. All-in-all, the 2011 CR-Z Hybrid is hoot to drive.
At the CR-Z launch, in fact, Honda plopped us down in a cherry 1985 CRX Si and told us to go nuts. Where the impish CRX used lightness and a stripped-down approach to deliver entertainment and efficiency, the CR-Z looks to a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain. Particularly with the three-mode adjustable drive system in sport mode, it’s a relatively fun little car. At 160.6 inches long, the CR-Z is 16 inches longer than the original CRX, but it doesn’t look like that much with the two cars side by side; for modern reference, the CR-Z is an inch shorter than Honda’s own Fit. It’s not as light, however, with Honda estimates putting the CR-Z around 2700 pounds. It mates to Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system as seen in the Insight, which is comprised of a nickel-metal hydride battery pack and a 13-hp electric motor. In sport, throttle sensitivity is increased, the steering tightens, the electric motor provides more assistance on manual-equipped cars, and in CVT models, the “gear ratios” are optimized for acceleration. The mileage returned by the CR-Z isn’t as stellar as you’d expect in a hybrid this small, at 31 mpg city and 37 mpg highway with a manual and 35/39 with the CVT. (The EPA tests were run in normal mode.) Would those numbers be the same if the car were lighter with no hybrid gadgetry? —remember that Honda has the Insight and upcoming Fit hybrid to appeal to the hypermiler crowd. The CR-Z is a sporty car with green leanings more than anything else, and that likely guided the engineers’ efficiency targets.
The chassis plays a big part in making the hybrid experience transparent. Where the CR-Z impresses most is in ride quality. The CR-Z comes in three flavors: base, EX, and EX with navigation. Standard across the range are stability control, power mirrors, power locks and windows, keyless entry, automatic climate control, cruise control, a tilting and telescoping steering column, USB and auxiliary inputs, LED taillamps, and the three-mode drive system. Further, all those CVT buyers will effectively negate the CR-Z’s reason for being, its sportiness.
2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid
