Coupe Fever – Honda Cr-z Review

Since I think that car tests should be relatively objective, I usually do not like getting opinions from enthusiasts when performing a road test, however in the case of the CR-Z I felt I needed the opinion of someone who can really fell the spirit of Honda. Even though I have personally tried many cars out, this was first, simply because it is a first in its own right – a performance-oriented hybrid with a manual transmission. If I have to be honest I must admit I was sure it was bound to fail on both counts.

Three minutes into the test drive the comment from my co-pilot was ‘if this is the future of motoring I want a part of it’. Even though 121bhp might not seem like much by today’s standards, when slotted into ‘Sport’ mode the CR-Z feels urgent thanks to the help it receives from the electric motor. Honda chose to go down a particular avenue with their hybrids, and this is just another extension of that. A smallish engine is accompanied by an electric motor which gives it a boost when needed, however at no point will you be running only on the electric motor. If you didn’t look at the sticker on the back of the vehicle and the very funky display showing you were you power is coming from you’d never guess this was a hybrid.

The main drawbacks in the CR-Z is that the rear seats are really crammed – it is closer to a 2-seater than a four-seat vehicle. If you are prepare to live with this, though, you are in for a wonderful ride.