Efficiency Meets Sport – the Honda CR-Z, Where Hybrid Power Gets a Fun Twist!

The Honda CR-Z, also known as the "Compact Renaissance Zero," made its debut as a concept at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. It was meant to symbolize "a renaissance in the design of compact cars that begins anew from fundamentals." The concept car was made to be "sporty, incredibly efficient, and inexpensive." It replaced the Honda CR-X, which was out of production, and it was released in Japan in early 2010; by the end of the same year, it had begun sales in most other markets. 

Honda CR-Z

Cheap, sporty, and fuel-efficient are the CR-Z's three main selling factors. With a price tag lower than the Toyota Prius, it is reasonably priced for a hybrid. Only far more costly hybrids, such the BMW i8, can match its extremely athletic attitude. The dynamic feel is further emphasized by connecting the 1496cc engine to a standard six-speed manual gearbox. However, when the engine is coupled to the optional CVT, the athletic vibe vanishes. The CR-Z has a very good fuel economy; in many markets, its figures place it in the top ten most efficient vehicles. Shall we take a closer look at this?  

Powertrain

A 1496cc LEA I4 engine and a 20 horsepower electric motor power the 2016 Honda CR-Z. Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) protocol includes the electric motor. Together, they provide 190 N-m of torque at 1,500 rpm and 130 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. Peak torque is still reached at 1,500 rpm even if the torque decreases to 172 N-m when the CVT manual is swapped out. The CR-Z can cover a quarter mile in 17.6 seconds and reach 100 km/h in little over 8 seconds. 

Fortunately, the majority of CR-Z purchasers prioritize fuel economy above performance. The 2016 model, when fitted with the six-speed, is rated for 13.17 km/l in the city and 16.15 km/l on the highway. The CVT units have respective ratings of 15 and 16.5 km/l. Although these figures are not outstanding, they are competitive for the market as a whole and for their class.

2016 Updates

The main difference between the 2015 and 2016 Honda CR-Z models is the addition of the EX-L trim level. The CR-Z's front and rear bumpers have been replaced. The 2016 has a gloss black spot at the end of the glass hatch, whereas the 2015 had body-matching paint.

The center console boldly displays a closed storage bin and an armrest where the handbrake formerly was. This is evident as soon as you go inside. The decision was prompted by the 2016 model's replacement of the antiquated handbrake lever with an electronic parking brake. The doors and dash are covered in a lot of fresh, gleaming plastic. Honda did give consumers a few surprises by standardizing a 178mm (7-inch) touch-screen radio system and keyless entry.

Updates to the chassis, such as a 20mm front stabilizer bar, a 10mm wider rear tire track, and bigger front and rear brake discs, have reduced handling. The front MacPherson strut, the rear H-shaped torsion beam suspension, and the rack-and-pinion steering with electric power assistance have all been kept from the 2015 model. You may experiment with a few extra bells and whistles when you upgrade from the base device. LaneWatch is available on the EX and higher trim levels. This Honda technician removes the passenger-side blind spot by projecting a picture onto the central screen from a side-mirror camera. Get heated leather seats with contrast stitching when you upgrade to the new EX-L package in the spring.

Like other sports cars on the market, the CR-Z's primary flaw is its fuel efficiency, which is in this instance caused by the outdated IMA system. Better fuel economy and significantly more spectacular horsepower are provided by Honda's proprietary Earth Dreams hybrid technology. Since Honda has already phased out the Civic hybrid and Insight, which were based on IMA technology, the CR-Z is the last vehicle to employ IMA systems, making them look doomed to extinction. In spite of this, the CR-Z has a respectable fuel economy for a coupe.

Finally

The 2016 Honda CR-Z is a popular choice for those seeking a sporty, fuel-efficient car with Honda's legendary dependability reputation. You can now check the Honda CR-Z stocklist for more available models.