Vehicle: 2011 Honda CR-Z
Price as tested: CDN$23490
Performance: Honda CR-X used to stand for pocket rocket in Japanese laugage, is the latest CR-Z live up to its reputation? We will find out after this test drive.
Unlike its forebears which powered by gasoline engine only, the CRZ uses Honda’s hybrid system. The CR-Z uses a 1.5 liter 16-valve DOHC 4-cylinder engine mated with Honda’s Intergrated Motor Assist hybrid drive. On our model equipped with CVT, it has 122hp and 123 lb/ft of torque. Compared with its manual gearbox silibing, it has 2 lb less for CVT application. The transition between electric power and gasoline engine is seamless. Its 10 KW electric motors are enough to move the CR-Z from standstill to 100 km/h in 10.5 seconds. The general refinement of this 1.5 liter motor have lived up to Honda’s reputation as the world’s greatest engine builder, for the most parts. When mated with the CVT, CR-Z’s run from zone to 100 km/h is a noisy racket during acceleration. All you hear is noise, noise and more noise when you need to accelerate. Given CR-Z’s reputation as a hot hatch, I would recommend the 6-speed manual gearbox. As it provides excellent gear ratios without losing Honda’s trademark gear throw precision and progressive clutch. However, don’t expect this hybrid to get the posted fuel economy. During the day of our tester, we only got an average of 8 liters per 100km which is disappointing. With its curb weight of only 1236 kg and mated with an efficient CVT, Honda can and should do a whole lot better when it comes to fuel consumption. Sadly, CR-Z isn’t one of their best efforts.
Handling: When it comes to building excellent foundation for chassis, no one does it better than Honda. The latest CR-Z is a prime example as the chassis is a solid and rigid foundation for suspension components to hang its heads. The suspension combines ride and handling surprisingly well. Its comfortably compliant when pushed CR-Z into corners. There are minimal body rolls when pushed, so does understeer. The suspension takes a set right after the initial rolls and composed itself into a turn, which is what we all expect from Honda. The steering provides sharp reflexes with excellent feel and feedback. CR-Z’s ESC is an uninstrusive type which doesn’t act up unnecessarily, which is a good thing consider its hot hatch status. Dynamically speaking, CR-Z remains one of the most balanced front-drivers I have ever driven. That doesn’t come as any surprise since Honda has always been judged as the world’s finest front-driver producer. 
Brakes: Unlike so many hybrids with regenerative braking, CR-V’s brake feels solid and reassuring. While one won’t called its stopping performance outstanding, its certainly live up to Honda’s reputation as a performance car builder. The regenerative braking doesn’t feel spongy and numb whenever driver nails the pedal, which is a very good thing.
Interior: Even if the CR-Z has a rather flat cargo area, its high liftover doesn’t seem to help things neither. The reason for such a high liftover has to do with its battery packed underneath the cargo area. What this car really needs is the back-up camera as the rear sightlines are poor at best. With the small side windows and rear glass choppedin half. The rear sightlines are terrible. At the same time, rear view mirror has been chopped half by the two portions of the rear glass (same scanario as Insight and Prius). Even for a compact coupe, its highly recommended to opt for parking sensors with the CR-Z.
As for the rest of the interior, there are plenty of hard plastic which seem to be out of place in a Honda. However, the switchgears are of tactical feedback and the velour sports seats are comfortable. Getting in and out of this CR-Z also needs to get used to. As you are most likely climbing out instead of stepping out of the cabin.
Conclusion: So at the end of the day. Does the CR-Z live up to its legendary CR-X’s reputation as a great hot hatch? It certainly lives up to its reputation when it comes to handling and driving pleasure. However, the rest of the performance and practicality don’t equal to the sum of its parts. There are just too much compromises when it comes to hybrid powertrain and amount of cargo space, even if its primarily a 2-seater. Honda has produced many nice cars over the years. Unfortunately, CR-Z isn’t one of them. 
OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2011 Honda CR-Z
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Performance: 2.5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4.5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 3.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 2/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 2/5
Value-for-money: 2/5
Overall rating: 3/5