2012 Honda CR-Z Test Drive & Hybrid Car Review

www.autobytel.c... The 2012 Honda CR-Z hybrid was created with the hopes of recreating the small, fun, and fuel efficient CR-X from 20 years ago. Well that passion has been revived with the CR-Z. Honda designers have created the sportiest looking hybrid on the market. Everything from the bumper to the headlights to the rims screams look at me. And the overall wedge shape makes for one low drag coefficient.
Even though the CR-Z looks sporty, it tows the line between sporty and fuel efficient. Underneath the hood is a 1.5 liter 4-cylinder engine with an IMA electric motor that helps boost power to 122 horsepower and 128 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is great at 35 MPG in the city and 39 MPG on the highway.
The 2012 Honda CR-Z has a base price of under $20,000. And with that you get all kinds of cool hybrid technology from Honda.
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[@mss627]

I kind of disagree. The CRX wasn't all that fast either. It was a little four banger that you could toss around. Hell the CRX HF was rated at 80 horsepower. These cars are a steal used. I'm seriously thinking about it. It would definitely have to have a manual though.

[@jm10rnlto]

I've had this car for 6 months now and I love it! I get 36 MPG city and 42 MPG highway if I drive in the ECO mode. It's not a car for everyone, that's why you won't see them all over town, but it gives me the best of both worlds; economy & sport when I want it.

[@judekarsyn9507]

pro tip : you can watch movies at flixzone. I've been using them for watching loads of movies these days.

[@josepeter155]

@Jude Karsyn definitely, been watching on Flixzone for years myself =)

[@oHeihei]

Just got mine yesterday! Base model, but same year and color and it's the 6 speed manual :) Oh my gosh this car is amazing. I'm a college kid so the mixture of fuel economy and sportiness is perfect!

[@BatmanTheHomie]

I just got mine to! Same reason, it saves u good gas money in college and it's just fun to drive overall!

[@buildmorefarms1007]

The CR-Z is a lot more fun than I thought it would be. It handles very well and the 2013 model has an S+ button for extra boost...very cool! Makes a Prius seem so boring.

[@browndude85]

I'm 6'3 and I test drove one last week. I was comfortable. There are no back seats so the entire cabin space is for you. I'm still debating on if I'll buy or not.

[@GrizzlyTank]

I've had min for a few months now and I love it more and more every day. I have a black EX model with paddle shift's, and boy do I love those, I would have opted for a manual 6-speed for the sportiness, but I since I commute daily in stop-and-go traffic and use for it for work and phone calls (using the cars blu-tooth) I prefer to keep my hands free and avoid shifting. Once I get on to the open roads, I pop it in sport and use the paddles for that extra boost. If I'm not in sport mode, I down-shift and the car gets a 5 second boost before returning to its normal drive mode, perfect for a passing gear. I love driving my CR-Z!

[@3colt3]

Loving my CR-Z, iv had it two years, Base 6M Trans, and have had ZERO issues, threw a bike rack on it with my mountain bike, did a trip to Florida from Virginia. MPG suffered cause the bike rack and mountain bike really interfered with the aerodynamics of if, still got 42 MPG. Only upgrade is the K&N cold air intake and a different set of rims that were on my Prelude before i sold it, installed a Kicker amp and sub that pulls 300 watts, don't even think the cars noticed it electrically. No extra charging or drops in MPG! Once i pay it off im getting my hands on a JCR or HPD super charger to kick this car up a notch!

[@paristaxco]

nicely said!!! I just got mine last week!! Silver CVT..He just explained everything why I bought it!! love it sooooo much :)

[@atx-cvpi_99]

The last Hybrid car sold in the US with a manual transmission.

[@buildmorefarms1007]

Tons of fun in this car! Excellent small details: the car has 2 lights in the hatch/cargo area so at night you can see what's back there...very bright!

[@uhohitskristinax]

I actually have this car and I love it!!! But its definitely for a specific buyer. I'm a college student that drives quite often in the city and on some weekends leave town to visit family. I understand the gas mileage might not be amazing compared to the prius but I love the fun sporty look, and when I drive sport its a completely different feel.

[@buildmorefarms1007]

Im averaging 42 mpg in mixed driving with the CVT...not bad for a fun car!

[@Dragonfire89nd]

I agree that the Cr-z is a little disappointing. I own a 1991 Crx Si, and I love it. This Cr-z is not its spiritual successor. However think of the cr-z as it's modern, technologically advanced cousin. The facts are as follows: it gets better fuel economy then what is stated, don't believe me? Check out fuely.com It's fun to drive

[@Zeff1]

I like that look.

[@buildmorefarms1007]

Agreed! It is hot!!

[@Magi_Carp_]

Got 1 used with 20k miles on it for 10 grand, that's a steal imo.

[@alejandroroman226]

Just got mines with 67k miles for $5400. I love it so much, the paddle shifters are fun to use. The setback maybe cause it's a 2 seater but I mean it's some you have to accept before getting this car

[@anietytretra7168]

@@alejandroroman226 wow! Where are you. That would be 8000 easy in my area

[@palebeachbum]

The closest competitor to this is probably the Hyundai Veloster. They're both sporty hatchbacks about the same size and price, but the CRZ is MUCH better looking IMO, gets better economy, has Honda quality, resale, and will likely be a better car in the long run.

[@nathananduray1227]

Is this car comfortable for people who are 6'0?

[@lightningsmokerXx]

They need to make a gas only version of this. Or bring back a gas only CRX.

[@awhitness]

Honda really underrated MPG. Honda says 31city 37highway for the 6m, But the car actually gets 37city 45highway. Many owners have shown 45mpg averages, some even 50 mpg. (check out CRZ 50mpg club). My 6m CRZ has a k&N, down pipe and flashpro tuning. I am at 126 whp = 145hp. With my flashpro I have recorded 0 to 60 in 7.9 and I avg. 39.5mpg in sport.

[@angrygreek1985]

37mpg for a hybrid?? Awful!!

[@lmaoDDDDD]

the back makes the car looks like a giant mouse...

[@LordNickleBottoms]

Yes i have driven one (i am 6'1) and i had plenty of headroom / room.

[@AvacadokenHonda19]

LOOL or the "I cant drive a manual" one

[@VictoriaStrong]

Supposedly the transmission isn't that great and is constantly having troubles in this model only after less than 3,000 miles.. other than that the car would be really awesome. Also the rear end is a little strange in it's style, compared to the front of the car.

[@eternalhalloween1]

$21,0000.-$25,000. It's interesting that Jeff ended the review on an ambiguous note. Granted, it looks nice. But this car seems to be trying to go in too many directions. For $17,000. you could get a Hyundai Elantra which seats 4, and gives you 40 mpg. And if you care that much about the environment, for $25,000.-$33,000. you could get a Toyota Prius which gives you 50 mpg.

[@eternalhalloween1]

+Emily Kopf It's possible Emily. On a personal note, I would love a 1985 Subaru XT. :)

[@SirShizuka]

Looks cool but the stats are crap. Some BMW diesel use 50% less fuel and have 70% more power. Many other even cheap petrol/diesel use less fuel at similar power can't see the point in going hybrid like this.

[@daniel55645]

id buy it cause it looks awesome. i dont want something with better fuel economy that looks terrible like the prius or the leaf. Never would i own one of those

[@KosaiAvonej]

CR-Z is in a class of it's own, the Prius is of it's own class etc etc. Don't group all Hybrids together, if anything all brands should be using the CR-Z as a staple of what should be expected. We need small coupes anyway, I cant stand how these four door hatches look.

[@MediPistol88]

No, they created a more sportier and better looking car then the prius (any car is better looking than the prius). And anyway, 39 mpg HWY is still good (eco would make it probably over 45)

[@Batboy_idiot]

I get 40 hwy in a fit. This probably gets 47 hwy as hondas mpg estimates are always conservative.

[@BrandyKluxKlan]

I went to my dealers website to look at one of these, they do not ORDER them or STOCK THEM I wonder why

[@uhohitskristinax]

The 2 seats hasn't bothered me,I was driving the Lexus Ls400 before and had to constantly carpool people around and paying $60 for 2 weeks of gas, now I'm paying $30 now for about 2.5 weeks.

[@embrj1453]

MPG is not that great for such a small car and hybrid...

[@carmaniac9802]

I noticed it does not have the led day running lights we have in europe as standard on all versions

[@Oooonumbers]

31/37 is not a good estimate either btw. I drive a stick shift version and get about 40 mpg when it's hot (95+ F) in the sumertime and 41-42 mpg during cooler months. I let it idle when the motor is cold for one or two minutes, I punch it from stops all the time, don't always utilize the idle stop feature and I'm still getting 40-42 mpg. If I were to really try I bet I could maintain 45+ mpg. Oh, and on a 6 hour highway speed trip I got 43 mpg @ 70-75mph most of the trip.

[@Pikapichu24]

Agreed. If the buyer just has to have a Honda, they can easily opt for a more sporty Civic Si or a more environmentally conscious Insight for not too much more. Both have the advantage of 2 seats in the back as well. I guess this is a bit of a compromise for those who just can't decide.

[@huntersaber8372]

I love spoon had a take on the crz

[@deborahvalentin1006]

Got one in our showroom. Come and check it out. Courtney Honda, 767 Bridgeport Avenue, Milford CT.

[@deborahvalentin1006]

Sorry. Sold it today!

[@xtraflo]

Does this not run on a charge too? Like the Prius I mean?? Seems like the Electric motor assists the fuel engine, but never actually driving the car alone on the charge.

[@buildmorefarms1007]

No the gas motor runs all the time unless u are at a stop light it shuts off to conserve fuel.

[@davidgotta468]

It's a lithium battery not nickel

[@Burnt_clutch89]

DavidTech actual is nickel. Lithium was an upgrade in 2013

[@HateRDDsBusted]

Take out everything in the engine bay, replace it with the new Si motor by putting it in the trunk area. now that would be a Different but exciting new Honda CRz

[@pioneer7777777]

The city mileage is where hybrids make a difference - Civic's have 28 vs 35 city rating for the CR-Z, so it's a 25% bump in city rating, which saves around $250 of gas per year depending on driving. Obviously not a huge difference, but still notable.

[@pioneer7777777]

Also, it sounds like people are getting more like 40MPG city in real world driving which you couldn't do in a civic standard gas engine.

[@Neel-1]

Oh crap, I thought this was a 4 seater. Fuck it, no point.

[@sergiodiaz7414]

Is good as a first car

[@randyroberts855]

I want it as first

[@LegendaryBadass]

What looks like a sporty 2+2 is actually a slow 2 seater.

[@ursusteddicus]

Despite its drawbacks, it looks really handsome. I want Honda to put in the Civic Si/Acura ILX's 2.4L 4-cylinder, or the previous Acura RDX's 2.4 Turbo 4. With either of those engines, this thing would be a rocket!

[@lmaoDDDDD]

oh yeah everything is good except the back, especially the tail lights...i mean man look at them o.o

[@bigdarshan]

I got the Techno ORage colour (JApan only) and its incredibly eyecatching! amazing car for the price...fun handling too

[@AlexSmith-xj6py]

HAHAHA what a load of crap. Prius plug-in all the way: youtube /watch?v=X4GCxTd3wB0

[@zszs100]

More like if ur looking for power then go with the Mazda 3.

[@palebeachbum]

I think he means Civic Si, which has 201hp, compared to the CRZ's 122hp.

[@vicdlavigne]

but at $40k, its a bit pricier than this car don't you think?

[@toonrunedudehobby]

This guy is a FANTASTIC reviewer, really well done.

[@gallyun1]

Should give it two engines options.

[@Darksyne]

this car desprately needs a turbo

[@rollipolli4]

Does it have regenerative braking?

[@rexrazorz]

Are they all stick or can they be automatic?

[@ShermanMR2]

Didn't the old CRX get close to 50MPG?

[@AvacadokenHonda19]

The options are a CVT and a manual ...

[@mayanhandley9231]

its 40000$ in my country , not kidding

[@sulaimanrosdi9484]

nice

[@mecampbell30]

It's also slower and had no airbags.

[@kamigawa125]

Too much repetition,

[@Burntrocity]

youre like, twice the cars height

[@AvacadokenHonda19]

You think the back is UGLY?

[@Trd2020]

chevy volt looks nicer

[@eessa1727]

😍🤩😎

[@noormaes5506]

I'm Impressed! one sun 1!

[@SwPiotrek]

I fully agree with you.

[@funkyseefunkydo]

crz of course!

[@PhreshNBeat]

Cool car

[@clotheschair]

The legendary MP speaks!

[@saad1505]

i want one

[@RianRusmanasuntara]

YES ,,,

[@chinaavenger4367]

OMG

[@KingJagan]

Yeah, with 2 seats and shitty, fuel economy, dissapointment. Sad it is the only car to have manual transmission.

[@suwongjong8794]

what's this color?

[@autobytel]

The Color is Storm Silver Metallic

[@Dahnn666]

Good looking car, great in saving fuel, but not fast enough. If you're looking a balance between speed, fuel efficiency and aesthetic for a little bit less price than the CR-Z, you should take a look to the Seat Ibiza CUPRA

[@wtDrake]

"If you're looking for power, go for the Civic." Hahahaha

[@s0nnyburnett]

Say sporty one more time, I dare you. This car is comparatively good at nothing. 39mpg hwy in a small 2 seater, I just don't understand why that number isn't higher.

[@nismofury]

This car is a fail. Only way this turns into a must have is 50+ mpg 0-60 under 6 sec or a severe drop in price. $25k? Try $15k as is. I wanted to get one then went to the dealership and saw the pricetag. Dealer thought they had a winner. It took them so long to sell the 3 they had they said they arent ordering anymore cuz they dont sell.

[@beernpizzalover]

I test-drove one of these last night. WTF were they thinking by leaving the center armrests off of the two front seats? A raised center stowage unit would have been a good enough alternative - but even this did not exist here... Honda just lost a sale due to this egregious design oversight.

[@sage11x]

Agree with this. It's basically a very slow, very impractical 2 seat coupe that tries to channel the spirit of the crx without knowing what that spirit is. I could see this for big city commuters that don't want a tall sitting box but that's about it. If you don't have a lot of start/stop driving or your car sees regular highway use you'd be better served with a mazda3 sky active which has a back seat, a trunk (or hatch) and is funnier to drive without as much gee-whiz tech to fail on you.

[@felix0817]

Why does Honda bring a Hybrid with 39MPG while their 03 civic DX can do 40 on manual? Sounds like a mechanical crap with a exciting look. Seriously, what's the engineering here?

[@yochivazo]

Love the looks, but no rear seats? and gas mileage below 38? HONDA wakeup, you are loosing your touch to other car manufacturers.

[@MrKockabilly]

Nice car. But did he say it has no spare tire?

[@starassist1977]

this is a complete fail of a car. complete. honda is going downhill...

[@Amortepec]

I like it.

[@sam3d]

i think Honda is trying to do too much with this car. 31mpg is really lame, as the Fiesta or Fit can do that and not at the expence of a usable rear seat. Its a hybrid, but MPG is really bas compared to Prius or even Honda Insight, its a "sports car" with 130 horses!!!!! what a JOKE!!

[@lmaoDDDDD]

fuck honda,the front looks awesome,nice interior design, but the back, wtf? am i a fucking 60 yr old woman with 4 kids riding a mini van?tail lights...styling... ffs honda just go ahead and look at ur fucking crz from behid,and tell me in the face it is not fucking ugly.

[@Charsept]

I was really considering looking into these till I learned it was a hybrid. It lost some points there for me.