The CR-Z Is A Seriously Underrated Honda

It’s reasonably quick, great to drive and just a bit different, so does the CR-Z deserve a little more love?
The CR-Z Is A Seriously Underrated Honda

The Honda CR-Z is one of those cars you can’t help but pre-judge based on its rather lowly performance stats. With a 0-62mph time of 9.1 seconds and just 135bhp on tap, it certainly doesn’t seem to have the poke to match its left-field, sports car-ish styling. Which seems a shame as it’s a proper feast for the eyes with its spaceship-like styling, CR-X-style rear glasshouse and a plethora of quirky details like those rocket-shaped door handles.

When driving one for the first time - at the same event where I drove a disappointing automatic NSX - my expectations were low. But damn, were those expectations well and truly obliterated. Why? Because the CR-Z is a proper laugh to drive.

The CR-Z Is A Seriously Underrated Honda

The 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated inline-four loves to be thrashed up to its 6500rpm redline, letting out a surprisingly raucous induction noise as it laps up your ever increasing throttle demands. The gearbox (a manual, which is rare for a hybrid) has a short and slick throw, and while it’s not quite as legendary as the manual shifts in Honda greats like the Integra Type R and S2000, it’s a joy to use. The pedals are perfectly spaced for rev matching, too.

Part of the CR-Z’s total output might come from an electric motor, but there aren’t any obvious instant torque boost heroics here - the effects of the hybrid powertrain are more subtle, resulting in an engine that feels just a little more flexible than a regular low-power N/A unit.

The CR-Z Is A Seriously Underrated Honda

To drive, the CR-Z feels very much like an FN2 Civic Type R that’s a little slower and far less punishing in the ride department. The damping is brilliantly judged, actually - it’s just about composed enough, but there’s way more give in it than the FN2’s setup. On a lumpy, bumpy backroad, the fidgety Type R of the CR-Z’s era would have a hard time pulling away despite its power advantage.

Front-end grip is decent, and the steering is fast and feelsome. And when you calm down, you can enjoy the CR-Z’s unusual cabin with its colour-changing rev counter/speedometer and odd touches like a button that’s just for changing the units from KMH to MPH. How weirdly specific is that?

The CR-Z Is A Seriously Underrated Honda

It’s a car that’s fast enough for most, great fun on the right road and refreshingly different. Even though it only went off a few years ago, it’s already a piece of Honda’s history many have forgotten. It probably doesn’t help that few were sold, making the CR-Z a rare sight on the roads - only 4000 are currently licensed in the UK.

The CR-Z Is A Seriously Underrated Honda

It’s definitely worth seeking out a used one, however. A quick peruse of a classifieds reveals that you can pick one up for under £5000, which seems like an utter steal.

Is there a place in your heart for this strange but brilliant little Honda?

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Comments

Itsuki

Such a shame they never made a truly fast one, but my, it’s such a good looking car. It was the best looking civilian hybrid at the time, and had some of that doug demuro charm

08/12/2018 - 07:13 |
130 | 0
Freddie Skeates

In reply to by Itsuki

Honda sold a Mugen-built one in the UK, which was supercharged to produce 200hp and rival the FN2 Type-R. Think it was a bit too Type-R in the chassis department

08/12/2018 - 10:03 |
100 | 0
7heDuke

I fell in love with this car a couple of years ago, but forgot it a long time ago.

Glad to see the little fella get some well deserved attention 😅

08/12/2018 - 07:47 |
22 | 0
CannedRex24

Why wasn’t this Popular? As back then Hybrids weren’t popular and most people thought hybirds were just dull as ditchwater Prius’s. And to the environmentalists who could have bought one, it wasn’t practical or as file efficient as a Prius or a full on electric.

I mean the CRZ was a great car no doubt, but it was a bit too far ahead of its time tbh. If Honda had realised that and instead released it NOW, then It’d have sold much better, thanks to cars like the McLaren P1, Lexus LC500h or Tesla roadster which have redefined the meaning of Electric and hybrid cars as more sporty and kinda fun cars

08/12/2018 - 07:51 |
50 | 0
AC2 - The Now 14 Year Old CTzen

In reply to by CannedRex24

Sorry, but no. The impact of 2 supercars and a big sedan wouldn’t have any impact on a 3 door hatch. The only reason the CRV was killed is the same reason why Lexus’ own hybrid hatch was killed: SUV’s

08/12/2018 - 07:56 |
18 | 2

Too much of a hot hatch to practical over an Insight or Prius but at the same time not enough of a hot hatch to be considered over say, an RS Clio or Civic Type-R

08/12/2018 - 10:07 |
12 | 0
Anonymous

This car is slow,but gud

08/12/2018 - 07:52 |
2 | 2
CannedRex24

Not gonna lie but that view from the rear window does NOT look too good

08/12/2018 - 07:55 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Everything has to be fast nowadays.

08/12/2018 - 08:13 |
18 | 0
Erich Mohrmann

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Ikr, I’m having a blast driving my 1.4l Golf and keep reading how the GT86 is underpowered 😒

08/12/2018 - 08:35 |
20 | 0
Alfie Hankins

Trash

08/12/2018 - 08:42 |
0 | 12

yes you are

08/14/2018 - 18:56 |
0 | 0
MeBoosta

Guiletta is around the same price, at least in my country, I think it is a nicer car.

08/12/2018 - 08:49 |
0 | 2
Anonymous

They r about 4k meaning they arent exactly cheap

08/12/2018 - 09:12 |
0 | 6
Burnout🔰(Rotary Fighter)(SaveCT)

Well,the CR-Z is quite common here in Malaysia

08/12/2018 - 09:31 |
2 | 0

Malaysia was where I saw them for the first time… Drove me crazy!! They’re damn good <3

01/06/2019 - 10:20 |
0 | 0