Honda CR-Z Review - Can a Hybrid be fun?

Test drive of the Honda CR-Z 1.5 i-VTEC IMA Sport model. I spent the week with the car testing it out to see what it was like as a 'drivers' car.

[@dantelighter9470]

Excellent review, definitely the best one I've seen on youtube for Honda CR-Z (and there's alot of them). I really enjoyed how detailed your review was on features unique to CRZ and its influence on the market. You effectively presented the car in driver's terms.

[@PatrickTCAPIreland]

Sounds and looks like the first car for me!

[@CarambleTV]

Good shout - quite affordable now.

[@ldawson103]

I completely agree with him about us looking back 10 years from now naming the CRZ as the car that started sporty hybrids.

[@user-xk7pk7wq1x]

The best CRZ review on KZbin!

[@huetuber1204]

Before deciding on the CR-Z, go out and test drive the Fiat 500 Abarth model. Talk about fun! Gets great mpg too despite having turbo on board! That's impressive.

[@DucatiDiaries]

Great review.

[@zulmddin3601]

Cr-z cvt 2012 is my 3rd car.about 43k driven since bought new..very nice sharp handling car..stylish sporting look..nice car to own..nice car to drive..i love it so much

[@CarambleTV]

I never found it an issue to be honest when changing lanes etc the visibility was fine. It was frustrating when reverse parking though as the large rear quarter and small rear screen made it a bit tricky. It does have parking sensors though...

[@marktuyet]

excellent review , thanks !

[@CarambleTV]

Would be a great first car, but I would think that Insurance costs might be high for a young/inexperienced driver.

[@RandomReviews2014]

I'm glad I checked your channel and found this review. You raised some good points and turned the dull association surrounding Hybrid cars into something interesting and an exciting prospect. The visual representation with the imaginary electronic tree's did make me chuckle! Do you have plans for any other car reviews?

[@CarambleTV]

Cheers, I really should pull my finger out and do some more, as ever it's finding the time! I've previously done stuff for Auto Express, DriveStart and and older channel called iMotor. I keep meaning to get round to doing more videos with older cars as to be honest most of the new ones do nothing for me. I will get a CR-Z though, one day when they're sub £5k!

[@rsiv2761]

+RandomReviews but you do know the tree is actually there right? and it does really grow leaves? dk why he said imaginary :p

[@gooderz75]

+CarambleTV You can get them for under 5k now... just. Keep your eyes open though, I'm about to grab a 2012 Sport with FSH and 20k on the clock for 8k. Bargain! Great review :)

[@CarambleTV]

Mark Goodwin Sweet, good shout I'll keep an eye out. Only thing I worry about as they get older is the life of the battery pack, not sure if this will end up being an issue in future like the old Insight?

[@jimmy92goodwin]

Loved this review mate, I've watched too many CR-Z reviews and this is actually the best one! I see you've driven the Abarth 500 (I found it a lot of fun but agree with your steering and gear shift comments) so I'm ruling it out as my next car as a daily. I'm incredibly incredibly torn between a Swift Sport 2012+ around £6,000-6500 and a CR-Z between £5000-6000. If money no were no object which would you daily? Then the next question is if you answered Swift - is it worth that little extra money?

[@CarambleTV]

Jimmy Goodwin I like them both but the only thing that worries me about the CRZ now is the age of the battery pack.

[@jimmy92goodwin]

CarambleTV thanks for the super quick response, wasn't sure if I would get one at all, so thank you. I'll do my research on the batteries, I hadn't thought about those. Keep up the videos!

[@CarambleTV]

No worries, also worth considering at that budget the Clio RS200, I like them too but could be a bit harsh/thirsty depending on what your daily requirements are.

[@jimmy92goodwin]

Thank you, I do actually love those cars but I'm too paranoid about Renault reliability. I've had my GTI cost me a fortune before, my E46 has been amazing but unpredictable and costly to repair (got it at 46k and it's been trouble only 10k in haha). So when I let this convertible go I'm feeling a return to Japanese so I can enjoy the unsung hero that is trust/dependability. I think I'll test drive both cars and let you know how I get on (should you care haha)! Thanks again

[@CarambleTV]

Ah, fair enough I have two French and a German (205, Clio, CLK) The French ones have always been the most reliable and like you say the Germans have an odd reputation for amazing build quality but in my experience that's bollocks! They did in the 80's/early 90's but not so much for YEARS. Also I spoke to a lot of specialists when I bought my Clio 182, there is a massive change in build quality (apparently) between cars built at the main Renault factory and RS models built in Dieppe, the old Alpine factory. RS models built there significantly better, apparently the Megane 225 was built at main factory and is poor, while the later 230 is not and as a result much better! If your budget could stretch I'd also look at FIesta ST (the 1.6 turbo) not sure what the prices are on those now...

[@a.p.6350]

Great review of this little fun vehicle! The way you are describing your experience is so different to so many other negative reviews. Really enjoyed your video. Has anything changed in your opinion since you have reviewed the car?

[@CarambleTV]

They're pretty cheap now. I think in hindsight many people were expecting the second coming of the CRX which it never really was and new hard to justify to your wallet vs say a more practical and just as efficient diesel Scirocco. But now we know diesel is evil, a CRZ can be picked up for 5K and the road tax is cheap. Anyone else off to look at Autotrader?

[@a.p.6350]

haha, yes. I have bought one a year ago for 9K EURO - but it only had 86 000 km. GT model. True, about the technology - i noticed that, too. The Z was ahead of its time. Now the newer cars get more and more the same mild hybrid tech. Though I think it is way more similar to the CRX, as one might think. Economical, sporty, fuel efficient, cheap, fun to drive, design, are trademarks for both cars. Additionally, the CR-Z merged the different CRX models within the 3 driving modes. For example, the Econ Button for CRX HF version and Sport Button for the faster CRX version. Clever thought, in my opinion. Nonetheless, I agree the car could have need a little more power in higher speeds on highway. But still a fun car.

[@CarambleTV]

The new 2013 model has new Li-ion batteries I believe they have an 8 year warranty with Honda but I assume it has mileage limitations. Not sure on what the replacement cost would be outside of warranty though.

[@cdmackay2012]

Great review! - What year is the car you reviewed? Thanks!

[@CarambleTV]

Thanks, it's a 2012 (61 plate) Not mine, a press loan vehicle.

[@slonecznyslon3615]

Is it difficult to merge on the highway in the CR-Z? The only thing I'm worried about is not being able to look behind me because the windows are so small.

[@CarambleTV]

Driven the Abarth, looks great, bit of a laugh but the chassis/steering/gearbox is not even close to that of the CR-Z. If you want something that looks nice and is quick then go for the Abarth, if you really enjoy your driving I would look elsewhere IMO, of course.

[@Wispful]

Do you think this would make a good first car?

[@zappah2818]

Alexia yes

[@MyJarrus]

k20 swap it

[@nekite1]

Not that I wish to influence you in any way, here is a video of the car I bought... kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmjcm5Zrq9R4ndU

[@nukka200]

Coup-ay? (coupe) LMFAO. Damn Brits. that just sounds awkward even for british words. its COOP. damnit. that being said, this guy is funny also. " So I went home and changed me underpants." haha

[@CarambleTV]

Well, actually Coupe is a French word. So blame them if you must.Here in Britain COOP is somewhere one could keep chickens.

[@3DGFan9000]

CarambleTV except the french put accents on the letter e when it is to be pronounced which in this case there is no accent. This makes it even more annoying that brits say coup-ay. I don't know why but the way they say it frustrates the hell out of me.

[@shobin05]

pjs5406 Holy fuck nobody gives a shit

[@SI0AX]

***** The original pronounciation is coo-pay. The american accent is actually a distortion of the British accent. To put it simply, the British invented English first. Their accent is the original "correct" one.

[@shobin05]

SI0AX I'm Asian, and you British and Americans are both need to set aside your fucking differences and just use the same fucking language, because i have to keep fucking learning whats right and whats wrong and whats UK english and whats US english.When they're both the same. JESUS FUCK. PS not mad at you, im just saying.