What You Didn’t Know About the Honda CR-Z | Misunderstood Hybrid

[@pilotavery]

I have a supercharged one I bought for $7,500 last year from a local dealership. 6 speed and has an aftermarket sony ax5000. I'm stoked. Drives like a dream.

[@rkstreeter]

I am so jealous I bought mine a 2011 a 6 speed thank God for $7,200 after having a CVT automatic for 3 years then some idiot cut me off and totaled my car

[@gryphon123456]

We owned a black premium of a CR-Z. It was a manual transmission and I remember being so very surprised at how nice the shifter was. You could actually order a supercharger for these from the dealer! I love this little car. It was so very unique. People loved the looks. miss that car.

[@UpRoaryus]

This car has a particular audience that appreciates what it is, and most of it starts with the fact that it was the only hybrid available in a 6MT. The test drive I took in the CVT made me certain the manual transmission would be perfect for me...I wanted an economy vehicle that didn't feel like a fuddy duddy and had some style. It drives almost the same as the 95 Civic Ex coupe I had to replace because some ah0les stole it from the shop when I took it for a tune up. Heartbreaking, but the crz made me feel better about it.

[@manateerpg1396]

I gotta know if there was any Justice. Did you hold the shop accountable for the theft?

[@UpRoaryus]

@@manateerpg1396 yes, but unfortunately it could only gain me so much, as the car was more than 20 years old. On paper, it just wasn't worth all that much. They did originally offer the low KBB value, which was insulting, so I wrote them a long letter detailing my disappointment that resulted in a $1500 increase to that compensation amount.. Thing is, you just can't buy another equivalent vehicle to one that you bought new and drove and maintained yourself for 20+ years even if you could find one with equivalent low mileage on it. It was a sad day, but we did get about 3500 for it to put towards a very fortunate find private sale of a 6 spd '13 CRZ EX that we got with only 36k miles for less than $11,000 and my mom made up the difference for me because she was always worried about me driving around in my civic because it looked so rough on the outside and she didn't understand that it was mechanically in much better shape than the primer paint job would indicate... I did, however, find another good mechanic to service my crz, anf they are just a few blocks from my house rather than across town. I think the old one is still a good guy, but they lost something when they outgrew being a small mom and pop place that did only Hondas and gained a great reputation for being trustworthy and personal. They got big by word of mouth through stellar reviews and you knew who was doing the work. Then they got enough business and opened up the field to include Toyotas and that very personal interaction was gone when they had to hire more techs who were then reporting to them indirectly rather than being hands on themselves with the work on the cars. We think it was someone new that was behind the theft. It still bugged me that it was left out when it was still among the top 10 models of most stolen cars in the US, even if it wasn't the #1 model anymore. So I had to find a new guy with the new Honda, which is a lot like my Civic minus the sunroof and backseat. Plus it has a better security system and looks pretty slick... I most regret losing the dog collar and tags that used to hang from the rearview mirror that were my keepsakes from my best dog ever, as the thieves must have tossed them out. That was the most irreplaceable thing in it at the time, and it was a symbolic memory of how much he loved riding with me in that car. It hurts my heart that I no longer have anything that belonged to him to keep with me.

[@fantomphoenix6170]

The paddle shifter gearing actually isn’t simulated, the CVT has 7 set positions it shifts to. Setting the AC to low or super high will turn off ASS. The 2013+ has a better interior, a little more power I believe, and the S+ button that sets the electric motor to full assist. I own the CVT and it’s really fun to just send it while not braking any laws. Every passenger I have had thinks I’m flying while I’m still accelerating to 55 mph. They always have fun. The whine you hear is from the electric motor kicking in. The brakes being grabby is being combined with the regenerative braking which is why it feels awkward to someone who doesn’t spend time with it. Really nice with an aftermarket exhaust.

[@n051de4]

yeah the car is sick af basically.

[@pilotavery]

@@fantomphoenix6170 The paddle shifter gearing is simulated because the CVT doesn't have seven gears it actually has infinite gears and it just chooses them. It could be a 9-speed if you wanted it to

[@fantomphoenix6170]

@@pilotavery while it doesn’t have 7 gears, it has a specific set of 7 points it slides the belt on.

[@pilotavery]

@@fantomphoenix6170 Yes and that's why it's simulated

[@pilotavery]

@@fantomphoenix6170 because I still would prefer the paddle shifters adjust the engine RPM up and down gradually and then lock the RPM there regardless of my cars speed

[@CityEstates]

I recently bought a 2011 CR-Z on a whim, saw a clean one that was dealer maintained and bought it as a runaround car. My daily is/was a BMW X5 M Sport, I also have 2003 M5. For daily driving, the CR-Z is my favourite, light/nimble, quick enough in the city, absolutely love it.

[@jyxjay]

can u connect Bluetooth with your phone on that? I can’t 😢

[@CityEstates]

Yes, my bluetooth works (I didn't even know it had it lol)@@jyxjay

[@krishnapatel2863]

The options list was stacked! A supercharger, lsd, bigger brakes, borla exhaust, and lowered suspension all from factory! Thats what you needed to check off if you wanted a modern crx Si. Dont forget kids the crx was suppose to be just a fun commuter

[@Recon911PDW]

I've had my 2011 CR-Z CVT model for 9 years so far, and I got to say it is more fun than most cars I've driven even though it is slow, but I mainly bought it because of the looks. I liked the car so much that I ended up adding a discontinued Sprintex supercharger, including the important Spoon Sports modifications and many others😅. With this car, it is a night and day difference once you add real performance parts, including some coming straight from Japan.

[@saadatzi]

What do mean by slow?

[@Recon911PDW]

@@saadatzi It simply lacks horsepower, other than that, it is a fun reliable and rare car.

[@shibaweebas]

I'm on my 2nd cr-z, love them. It's great if you wanted something sporty looking but need a hybrid. They're that prefect in between for some, but a bad either one for most.

[@w3genesis]

I bought a CRZ, So far nothing to complain. I love this car! I'm from Sri Lanka [LK]

[@jubbalandcars]

Nice!!

[@madcurls9655]

I bought a 2011 back in July of this year. I parked my fairly new Lexus UX250h in the garage 😅 I threw a set of nice wheels on it and I’ve been enjoying it every since.

[@lunaticfade4044]

I bought a 2013 Base model with the battery upgrade and the "sport +" button on the wheel...and I love it. My favorite thing about it is not having to hear your cringy laugh after every turn/acceleration and/or brake. If you had your mind made up before you borrowed one, then why waste everyone's time?

[@RNMCCLAIN]

I have the CR-Z 2015 EX Non-Nav 6-Speed Manual; I love this car, especially because it is a Hybrid 6-speed manual. The automatic sounds awful in that car, the manual is king.

[@rexyboi2293]

You should have driven a manual, the automatic is horrendous.

[@Thehassanamirkhan]

Says the guy who doesn’t have one

[@rexyboi2293]

@@Thehassanamirkhan I have a manual, I’ve driven an auto, and the automatic is 0 fun

[@jesuschavez8417]

I kinda want to get the manual but the cvt would be so comfortable. And the paddle shifters are fun!

[@Japhet_driver]

Considering that i am a manual person. Its actually nice in automatic trans. Its sporty and comfy.

[@jakerambow7030]

Shame you didnt get your hands on a manual transmission version.

[@jubbalandcars]

Agreed

[@dexranch]

I've had a 15 ex for 6 month 20xxx Not being a car snob I like this car Could use better suspension is the only complaint But i get 39+ routinely not babying it & the stereo is as good as a Sony xplode system. If you're looking for power swsp it for a 2L

[@comeconcon569]

After mods, this car looks even sportiest.

[@ReDsHorde]

This guy reviews an automatic version of something and wonders why is it not fun to drive. Automatic transmission ruins every car, glad we don't see too much of that garbage in Europe. Gear shifting feels better than a lot of actual sports cars, honda nailed it in that regard. You really need to feel it. Preferably on a cr-z with less miles on it

[@nolahahnshouse3389]

I just purchased a 2013 6 speed cr-z last weekend and yes k-swapping it in the future for my cr-z

[@kimsoon80]

You need to drive a manual version, not the automatic in order to laugh with it, not laugh at it.

[@Slowcarfastbeans]

I cross shopped this with the Lexus CT200h. The CT200h best it in every metric - including fuel economy, cargo space, practicality, power, and sporty-to-drivenessnessness.

[@lunisic]

Thats a prius 😂

[@Slowcarfastbeans]

@@lunisic It’s a fancy Prius, but yeah it’s 80% Prius but with crappier fuel economy and an interior that doesn’t suck.

[@S2k_562]

i like my fancy prius :}

[@BobbyDeniroX]

What's the name and colour code of that colour? It looks cool man👍🏾

[@Courtney1992]

I’m so cheesed at myself for letting mine go for $2000 with 125k miles on it and a manual

[@rkstreeter]

I am on my second CRZ the first one had an automatic and it got totaled and I bought a second one with a 6 speed I love this car

[@nekite1]

The manual is way better to drive - I live in the UK and although there was only 4,300 units sold between 2010-2016 here, the vast majority had the 6 speed. A far better car to drive.

[@jubbalandcars]

Would love to try the manual

[@S2k_562]

@@jubbalandcars I'm picking up a manual crz next week. I'll be in socal

[@CruiseControl1]

I was so excited when this came out as the modern CRX and then I drove it, needless to say I didn't buy one.

[@Mr.Thermistor7228]

The crx came with a 110hp single cam d16 engine.... Why would this crz be any different? Your expectations need to align better with reality. The crx never from the factory came with more than like 120hp. Get with reality

[@CruiseControl1]

@@Mr.Thermistor7228 crx is under 2200lbs vs the crz being over 2600lbs, you should drive them both and while neither are fast the crx is fun to drive.

[@a.p.6350]

@@Mr.Thermistor7228 Exactly. In fact I am doubting he has even driven a CR-Z and just parrotting what all the critics had to say (without even test driving one) lol

[@tomr3319]

2013 and up came with 130 HP. The manual 6 speed is the best variant for this little car.

[@jubbalandcars]

Def want to try the manual

[@CasaUwU]

i bought a used 2011 one about 3 weeks ago. its meant to be a commuter, practice car for my brother and sister. Honestly its really fun to drive. I also drive a 2000 chevy taho truck normally.... its a gas saving dream for me lol

[@Travisneedham1]

I friggin love my 6 speed manual CR-Z. Unique and fun, while still being a hybrid. I just wish they would have put a rear seat in it so I could take more than one of my kids with me places. Now I have to sell for something else.

[@PatrickTCAPIreland]

Have had a 2011 CVT for just over a year, I am leaving to do a gap year or two in Japan and I just don't want to let it go! I think of selling it before I go and replacing it with a GT86 or something once I get back but not so sure.

[@Zlin0035]

Wrong, the Insight used an E-series engine, this is an L-series. its basically the same as what you get in a honda FIT/Jazz or the 2nd generation Insight, just bored out from 1.3 to 1.5ltr.

[@jesuschavez8417]

Do the tires spin with traction control off or not?

[@a.p.6350]

You are driving a CVT and expect a sporty feeling? ;) Manual shifter adds a lot more sporty vibes PLUS my CR-Z is lowered from the get-go, so I do not even experience body roll as much as you did. Additionally, if you tweak it here and there (for example, exchanging the engine air filter with K&N and adding a decent exhaust for sound) you get an economic sporty daily driver. The emphasis lies on SPORTY - the CR-Z is no sports car and I am sure it was not intended to be. Just a hybrid in true sense of the word between a boring insight and an s2000, a compromise, so to say. You have to put it into perspective back then 2010, when hybrids were just prius and insights, wich were economic but boring as f*ck.

[@Leon1982db]

Honda should have made an SI and type S. Such a beautiful car !

[@felixbelanger2659]

You start by pointing out that the car is on the shittiest possible tires and then proceed to complain about the driving characteristics... Sure... Sure... 🙄

[@jubbalandcars]

Lower traction lowers the limits. It doesn’t transform an understeer prone car to a drift missile

[@felixbelanger2659]

@@jubbalandcars It affects a lot more than just traction

[@philippillis9393]

This was stupid. This car is a gem. At least in manual. Body roll? Maybe use good tyres.

[@jubbalandcars]

Good tires would worsen body roll 🤡

[@GaryLewis-z9g]

Perez Michael Perez Patricia Perez Jason

[@daniellocke9534]

Durp?

[@jubbalandcars]

Derp

[@Slowcarfastbeans]

The car is so bad, I can’t finish the video. Let’s not ever speak about this again.

[@jubbalandcars]

😂

[@Mr.Thermistor7228]

Right lol

[@lunisic]

That CR-Z is not functioning properly the auto stop/start should not engage while the A/C is running. I have a 2011 and one of the most popular work arounds to disable the auto stop/start on our cars is to just put the front defrost on it keeps the engine running.

[@simplemods]

There is a better work around, and it is to tap into the clutch switch (brake switch pedal on the auto) to install a switch on them and disable it at will.

[@UpRoaryus]

Auto stop a houldn't affect the AC if you put it in SPORT mode.