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Honda CR-Z hybrid 2012 review


Hybrids have come a long way in a short time. Take Honda's petrol-electric CR-Z as an example.

Honda has sold more than 800,000 hybrids since the first generation Insight was launched in Japan in November 1999, with 200,000 sold last year, a 30 per cent increase on 2010.

The Insight was launched in Australia in 2001, making it the first petrol-electric hybrid sold here. Now we have the first bonafide hybrid sports car.

Value

There are three models to choose from: the $34,990 six-speed Sport manual, the $37,290 Sport CVT auto and the $40,790 Luxury CVT. 

Standard equipment includes six airbags, stability control, traction control, brake assist, 16-inch alloy wheels with a temporary spare, climate control, a multi-function display, a six-speaker single-CD audio with MP3, iPod and Bluetooth connections, auto stop and day lights.

The Luxury adds paddle shifts, leather trim, heated front seats, sunroof, satellite navigation with traffic updates, a DVD player and Bluetooth.

Technology 

Like Honda's hybrid Insight and hybrid Civic, the CR-Z is petrol-powered with electric assist. It pairs a 1.5-litre engine with an electric motor to deliver a combined 91kW and 174Nm (167Nm in the automatic). While that might not sound exceptional, the two motors work remarkably well together, delivering strong punch from just 1000rpm.

The petrol engine even sounds enthusiastic, revving eagerly to 6500rpm when prompted. Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is 5.0l/100km in the manual and 4.7l/100km in the CVT. On test the manual returned 5.4l/100km and the CVT 5.1l/100km, the manual, being taller geared, spinning at 2400rpm at 100km/h in top gear, about 500rpm less than the CVT.

Driving

While not super fast, the CR-Z is quick and agile, helped by outstanding chassis dynamics, pin-sharp steering, a light weight and a slippery shape. With such taut handling, you don't expect the ride to be so good, but it soaks up bumps and broken edges without getting ruffled, due in part to the sensible sized tyres. 

The six-speed manual is a gem, with an ideal spread of ratios, a quick and slick gear shift and a progressive clutch. The optional constantly variable transmission is one of the best around, effectively masking much of the slurring characteristic of many CVTs and offering seven selectable shift points. Even the stop-start system when idling is one of the least intrusive available.

There are three driving modes depending on the driver's mood and road conditions. Sport is for when you want to have a fling, Normal is for commuting and Econ is for helping to save the planet. In Normal, power delivery is smooth and surprisingly flexible, with the manual pulling easily from low speeds in the taller gears and loping along in hilly terrain.

Selecting Econ softens throttle response and eases off the airconditioning. Pushing Sport brings an instant change, sharpening the throttle and the steering response and increasing the assistance from the electric motor.

Verdict

The savvy low-slung two-door hatch is a sports car, a cruiser and a fuel miser, all in one. It is the first hybrid to land here that is genuinely fun and engaging to drive and so well engineered that it has earned car-of-the-year awards in Britain, Japan and Australia.

There are a few gripes. The split rear window distorts trailing traffic, rear vision to the sides is poor, tyre noise on coarse-chip surfaces is intrusive and the rear seat is a token gesture with next to zero leg room.

$9,990 - $11,886

Based on 3 car listings in the last 6 months

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Price Guide

$9,990 - $11,886

Based on 3 car listings in the last 6 months

Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication.  Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.