Honda CR-Z
by Tim Barnes-Clay, the man behind the wheel.
Date: 14 December 2010
THE HONDA CR-Z is a low-slung coupé with a healthy respect for the environment. Its Japanese manufacturer has designed and engineered the car for modern, urban living and as the world’s first sporty hybrid, its stylish looks stand-out from other ‘green’ cars on the market.
Amazingly it also offers true driving thrills thanks to an agile chassis, direct steering, a low driving position and useful boosts of torque from the petrol-electric drivetrain.
You see, it is equipped with Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) which means that the engine acts like a turbo with the electric motor boosting the 1.5 litre petrol engine, resulting in a combined output of 122bhp.
Behind the wheel, the cockpit looks ultra-modern with attractive dials and switchgear. Accommodation-wise, the CR-Z has a 2+2 layout, which means that as well as the driver and a front seat passenger; it can carry two short adults or children in the back.
There is also 225 litres of luggage space, but without anyone in the back the rear seats can be flattened to increase load-space at the touch of a button.
At Home In Urban Environments
On the move, it’s definitely most at home in urban environments, burning through the backstreets and nipping in and out of traffic.
And because it’s a hybrid it has low exhaust emissions, benefits from cheaper road tax, and – for Londoners – is exempt from the Congestion Charge.
When you drive the CR-Z outside of built-up areas, the drive is comfortable, positive and sprightly. There are three different driving settings; Sport, Normal and Econ. In Sport you can boost the car’s steering weight and responsiveness, while Econ has a gentler acceleration and steering; with Normal the car is, well, normal, like a regular hatchback.
Economy, Style and Safety
The lithe little Honda has a combined economy of 56.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 117g/km – just behind the Toyota Prius, which manages 72.4mpg and 89g/km. That said, the CR-Z will appeal to the style conscious because it is a good looking car with chic technology and a cool ‘green’ image. And if safety is top of your list when buying a car, then rest assured – the Honda CR-Z is ranked as one of Europe’s safest cars, after independent crash test results from Euro NCAP.
PROS ‘N’ CONS
PROS
- Environmentally friendly
- Sporty
- Good image
- Fun
CONS
- Space is tight
FAST FACTS
- Max speed: 124 mph
- 0-60 mph 9.9 seconds
- Combined mpg: 56.5
- Engine: 1.5 i-VTEC Petrol-Electric Hybrid
- Power: 122 bhp (combined)
- Torque: 128 lb/ft at 1,500 rpm
- CO2: 117 g/km
- Priced from: £16,999 OTR
