With a focus on sporty driving dynamics, the CR-Z poses no threat to the current crop of small hybrids. The Toyota Prius c has made a name for itself as an ultra-efficient, if goofy looking car, which is friendly to the environment and your wallet. The CR-Z on the other hand, with its mild-hybrid setup and edgy styling, is far more appealing to those who want to feel their car electrify the road. But even with mild updates to the 2013 model, it struggles to deliver.
The first issue is with the CR-Z’s power plant. Honda’s integrated motor assist (IMA) system achieves 42 mpg combined in the thrifty $19,000 Honda Insight. In the CR-Z, however, it manages just 37 mpg, and that’s when equipped with the fuel-saving, yet soul-sucking CVT transmission. The trade-off for a six-speed stick is three miles per gallon with an average 34 mpg combined. Our testing with the “gearless” tranny proves it’s possible to get close to the EPA’s estimates, at 35 mpg.
The hybrid system, comprised of a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder mated to an electric motor and new lithium-ion battery pack, makes 130 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers are, to be frank, embarrassing. With a 0-60 mph of about 9 seconds it trumps the Prius c in a drag race, but is that really worth bragging about?
If there is a bright side to driving the CR-Z, it’s that its low limits are fun to explore.
