Used 2013 Honda CR-Z Consumer Reviews
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I love it
I saw a couple of these running around town, but never really stopped to look. I began calculating gas costs of my 1997 gas eater and decided it was time to look around. I looked at all kinds of different models, hybrids, new, used, etc. I finally settled on the CR-Z as my first choice for test drive and once I drove it, that was it. If I wasn't convinced before I was then. Sleek, sharp, and comfortable all around would be the best way to describe. I completely agree with the other reviewers as well.
I came from a 430HP M3. And I couldn't be happier!
Yes, I sold my 08 BMW M3, which was a beast. But I got sick of spending $73 for gas 2.5 times per week on my 55 miles to work. I got the CR-Z because I wanted a hybrid but still have some fun. The car teaches you how to drive efficiently. It's like playing a video game while driving. My 1+ hour commutes are over in NO TIME now. Not because I'm going faster, but because I'm having more fun. It's awesome. (This is also because the CR-Z EX has an AMAZING stereo. Sound is unbelievable. The EPA estimates on MPG are WAY off. I just got over 53 MPG the other day in economy mode! I love that I can drive in econ mode but hit the S+ button for full electric power to pass!
- Base 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $5,999287 mi away
- Base 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $6,567314 mi away
- EX 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $10,988368 mi away
Great Storage and Fun, Fuel Efficient
I'm 56 years young and just turned in my leased 550SL. I decided to look for a sporty hybrid that would hold golf clubs, plants trays, blue tooth, and groceries. My rule is only buy groceries that will fit into my car. It seats felt identical to the 550SL (without the leather and heated seats). It was easy to drive and fuel efficient. IPOD connection as well as lap top. Has everything I need and fuel efficient. I just returned from Denmark and realized that Americans have it backwards and this is my step to help the economy as well as my pocket book. I recommend you take for a test yourselves.
Awesome car, couldn't be happier!
I had been looking for a new car for the past two years, including the Speed3, Civic SI, Scion TC, WRX etc. I came across the CR-Z, test drove it and was immediately impressed. That same day my car search ended and I ordered a manual. I Added on every accessory available (the armrest is highly recommended), and 3 weeks later I had the exact car I wanted. At first I thought I would be slightly disappointed with the average performance (8.3 0-60) and average fuel economy for a hybrid, but from the minute I got into the car I have not stopped smiling and making excuses to get back on the road! And as for performance, its around 8s to 60 (feels zippier though!) and I get 34/43 mpg (above rated)
CRX - REBORN
As a previous owner of a CRX-DX (7-years) this CRZ is a welcome pleasure. I traded in my 2001 A4 1.8TQ for this little piece of heaven. It is nice getting back to a smooth clutch. The Audi was a little long on both travel and throw. The exterior styling is a mix of Porsche 928 rear end & heavily modified S2000 front. The interior high end with soft touch controls like the Audi. The well placed control close to the driver. The 6 weeks has been unbelievable in the gas mileage. I am just about to fill up for the third time with: 41.7, 43.5 and 43.4 for miles/gal. avg. Not bad for a 80 City / 20 Highway driving. There seems to be no difference in Normal / Econ mode on mileage, just on stop idle.
Great little car!
My son needed a new car. After test driving the Ford Fiesta and checking out the Veloster and Civic SI, he decided on a cr-z and we are happy he did. The car gets very good gas mileage for around town (average 34.1 with a/c running most of the time and usually in normal mode). You can't go by the EPA mileage rates because that doesn't take into consideration the option to drive in Econ mode to increase fuel efficiency. Look up what actual drivers are posting for what they are getting and you will be surprised. We have the 2014 ex with the lithium ion batteries. Car has plenty of pep in normal mode and is really fun to drive so I don't know what the reviewer is comparing it to.
2011 CR-Z
Love this car! I just had to have it after taking it for a test drive. I wasn't sure about going from an SUV to a 2-seater, but when I thought about it, I realized that I rarely had more than one passenger at a time anyway and if I do need to have more than I can just swap cars with my husband. This care if pure fun and makes you smile every time you get in it.
Fun Fun Fun
Don't miss out just because of the expensive tag.. There's some joy to be had in a single CR-Z experience, no matter the drivers age or style (racer, casual)! Oh, and I'm 6'3 Economics is a no-brainer. If you are a family man, this may not fit for you. (buy a Honda Fit)
Fun and fuel efficient car
The CRZ is a rare mix of Hybrid MPG and sport mode. The 3 mode driving system is really convenient. You can switch between the modes at any time during your drive. The 2013 comes with a more powerful lithium ion battery this year, as well as S+ button for a 5 second burst of speed, and a back up camera. Some of the negatives: -Rear window visibility(backup camera helps) -No armrest in the center(Although you can buy a slide in accessory) -No locking gas flap Overall, I really love this car. When you sit in the cockpit, the blue panel looks really futuristic. Even though I'm getting better MPG, I think I'm spending more on gas because I want to find reasons to drive it.
Finally, a fun good looking hybrid!
We have CR-Z ex with CVT. It's a fun to drive hybrid and we love the styling. We drive mostly in the ECON mode and are getting better mpg than whats listed on the sticker. We are averaging 45-47 combined hwy/city. On the highway at 55 mph we are getting 48 mpg, at 65mph 43 mpg, at 70-80 mph 39 mpg. If you need a quick pickup & go you just push a button and you get instant pocket rocket power. The inside is roomy & comfortable. Ergonomics are great. The hatchback/cargo area handles all our shopping needs and carries our 3 dogs with room to spare. A lot of thought went into this machine, it has the feel and looks of quality throughout.
Best hybrid I have tested
Tested/considered many hybrids. I love the tech of the Prius but just wanted something different and better looking. I love my little CRZ and smile every time I drive it. I had a couple in a prius pull up next to me to say how much they loved the car. Dont get me wrong the prius is a completely different vehicle with excllent storage , but if you want a great looking car that handles great, looks awesome and gets close to 40mpg real world this is for you!. Gauges are beautifull. Sound system is incredible. Reasonably low road noise. faste enough in sport mode. Excellent fit and finish.
Replaced my CRX
Purchased the CRZ to replace my old CRX which had 400,000 miles on it. I drove the CVT model and it was very dull. However, the Manual transmission is tons of fun to drive. I look for reasons to drive this car because it is so much fun to drive and the gas cost practically nothing. Price of the car was a bargain and with the 3 different driving modes I get the feeling like I purchased 3 different cars. I can drive fast and reckless in sport mode, or slow and fuel efficient in ECO. Overall this car is extremely fun to drive; the instrumentation on the dash board makes me feel like IÂm flying a space ship. But donÂt expect the Porsche like handling that the CRX delivered.
Fun to Drive and Economical.
I'm not a typical Hybrid buyer and this wasn't a car I was even considering until I saw it on the showroom floor. I took a test drive almost on a lark. But then a funny thing happened, I fell in love with this car. It feels like a sports car, and yet it get's great gas mileage and looks great. The design team looked at Mini's, VW Scirocco's and Lotus. I would say they relied on the Lotus most of all. Yes , there's no back seat, but have you ever sat in a Mini backseat or a VW? I actually feel the cargo room is a better way to go.
I love getting in my car each morning!
I love this car! I bought it because I wanted a fuel efficient car that was also fun to drive. This car is definitely fun to drive and I love getting into it each morning. I've owned my CR-z for about 6 months now. This car is really comfortable-- I love that the seats hug you. I also like all the bells and whistles like blue tooth phone connection, radio adjustment from the steering wheel, and a USB port to hook up my ipod. I had to rent a Chevy Malibu and every time I got in the car I missed my CR-z. I hated the way the Malibu handled and I didn't like its responsiveness. I love this car and would definitely recommend it.
Lots of Room for a 2-Seater!
First off, I love my CRZ. We were on a waiting list to get one when they first came out. Test drove it, and it was instant love. Having had the car for about two years now, we still love it. Part of me wishes they would come out with a 4 seater version, but then I guess it would loose some of its appeal? There is a WHOLE lot of room in this tiny car. I kid you not, we bought a queen sized bed frame, mattress, etc (From Ikea of course -.-) and we fit it in the car?! Amazing. It also fits multiple full sized bikes, without taking off the wheels. I don't recommend it.. you might mark your interior plastics.. It's really fun to drive and great on gas. We easily average about 40mpg
A Fun , Reliable Choice for a Hybrid Commuter
The CR-Z is an odd duck car, but if you're into that it's pretty enjoyable. Styling is a weird mashup of the Honda CR-X and the Honda Insight, but I like it a lot. Looks a lot sportier than it actually is, especially with the CVT transmission. Unlike other hybrids, the CR-Z never actually runs entirely on electricity, the battery is used as an assist, even at low RPM. This means it gets significantly worse mileage than other hybrids. It also means the engine is on tap more often, so it's more fun to push through a mountain road than a Prius etc. It has 3 modes, Econ, Normal, and Sport. Econ is fairly dreadful and only applicable for stop and go. Normal increases the throttle response a bit. Sport mode disables the engine-off at stop lights completely and increases the rev range before the CVT will shift. There's a forth "mode" that let's you only use the paddles to shift, but has to be enabled via some buttons and inputs (it's in the user manual). Overall the CVT is kind of laggy paired with the engine-off, and makes some weird shifting decisions in anything but Sport mode. While heavy for what it is, the car's short wheelbase and S+ button (temporarily enables full battery assist and allows the car to rev very high) make up for it. It's not at all fast in a straight line, but get used to its paddle shifters and and the CVT and it's quite fun to throw around windy roads. Interior is like a video game with a billion buttons and some cool info on the dash. It's very stylish and a lot better than the average Honda imo. Def not for fans of minimalism. As mentioned, the rear visibility on this car is bad. Lane changes require a couple head turns and mirror checks. The reverse camera makes parking a lot easier though. The sound system with the subwoofer is awesome, legit the best car stereo I've had. I bought mine used, and even then, the resale on these cars is pretty tough, they seem to depreciate a lot harder than the average Honda. That said, a good example can be purchased really cheaply, and make no mistake this is a reliable, fun car. These cars are built and assembled in Honda's Japanese factory, so you know it's good. Overall, if you don't need a lot of space, aren't hauling people, and are looking for a commuter with good mileage and above average fun factor, this is a great pick.
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Great ride, performance and fuel economy
I'm not a treehugger. This car caught me with it's design and road feel. The performance is available to you, and as a bonus you get some pretty amazing gas savings. I've been averaging between 43-48mpg on the highway. Everything about this car is tailored to the driver and you really feel that this is your vehicle, not the passengers. It's quick to accelerate, handles great around corners, and is a fun car. The rear of the car has plenty of storage space unless of course you have a Great Dane. Plenty of leg room, great sound system, and exceptional quality really add value to this vehicle. Not to mention it takes up so little space in the garage.
Great comprimise between sport and milage
I absolutley love this car. It is sporty, has a cool 3d dash, has some power in sport mode, and has style! It is not a tire shreader ... but much 1000X better than the veloster I traded in! The car even handels decent. Yes, it does not have rear seats and the real mpg is about 35-37mpg in eco mode ... 30-32mpg in sport mode ... but it is perfect as the daily go to work car.
my Honda CRZ 2013
Have had my Z for about four years now just love it . It's The most fun I've had in a car in a long time . I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone not sure why people think no backseat Is a bad thing . other cars have backseats and are very uncomfortable .most people drive in cars by themselves . I get 37 miles per gallon always have it in sport. ( guess I could get better gas mileage if I try probably wouldn't be as much fun )
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Will not crank
I am wondering if we just bought a lemon? I have looked at all the other reviews and must say I wish we had that experience. The only problem is our CRZ often leaves us stranded. It just will not crank every time, we have had it less than a month and been stranded somewhere at least 12 times. The dealer has replace a battery and clutch mechanism and today it is being towed back to see why it still will not crank...If it ran properly we would love the car but as of now it just isn't reliable which takes all of the fun out of it...
I love my 2013 Purple CR-Z
I have only had my CR-Z for two months, but I love it. I owned a 1985 CRX-SI, and the CR-Z is the flower child of the CRX with current tech functionality. When looking for a new vehicle, my main requirement was it had to be PURPLE, and the Passion Berry Pearl is a beautiful deep/dark purple. The continuously variable transmission is an adjustment, since I always drove a manual transmission, but I enjoy not having to use a clutch. I am still waiting to get the mileage mentioned on the Honda website, but most of my driving so far has been city driving, with lots of hills and stop and go. Still, I am averaging 30 mpg. I look forward to my first road trip to test the fuel efficiency.
Love having a hybrid that's cute and sporty
I love this car! I've had it a week and have averaged 45mpg just jetting around. I love that it's a hybrid but not boring. We are empty nesters so the 2 seater is great for us. The hatch area comfortably fits our 35 lb dog. We are tall but fit very comfortably with plenty of leg and headroom. Great stereo even in the base model, and the silver mesh seats are really nice.
An awesome blend--
I had a 2006 Mini. Same MPG as my CRZ but used premium. The CRZ has proven to be more practical for stuff than the Mini was for me. Traded the Mini in 18 months on an Prius. 50 MPG--but--BORING !! No driver connection at all. Makes the CRZ feel like an Elise! My CRZ is base with a CVT-- BUT paddle shifters and sport mode and this buggy can zoom down a twisty country road with great aplomb and put a smile on an road course instructors face too. I have been getting 38-42 MPG per tank as well. I've tested the Fiesta, Focus and some Asian itty-bittys. The CRZ is much sportier as a momentum car, not a point and squirt car like most car magazine reviewers want. I just wish it was RWD. updated 3/12/16-- I traded the CRZ in. It had 73,000 miles on it and was still doing all the things as I first reviewed. However--It was getting loud. A sign to me it was showing wear. The exhaust, engine, road noise, suspension and rattles. It was still getting near 40 mpg combined --even on winter gas. One of its biggest downfalls-- nobody wanted to work on it but the dealer. I had a battery issue that left it unwilling to start. My preferred neighborhood repair shop (which works on everything from Chevies to Lamboghinis) said they weren't equipped to deal with hybrids beyond inspection and oil changes. However, AAA gave it a jump the first time and all was well--for 2 weeks. Second time the jump didn't work--nothing. I had it towed to the dealer. Nearly a week later they called to say it was ready. Now in their defense, the car was dropped on them out of the blue on a Friday morning, so they had to find a window to check on it. The repair order did not indicate what (if anything) was repaired. They said they did not replace the battery and it did look like the same battery. However, it did work for the weeks I drove it before being stashed for the winter. But, since Honda decided to drop the model--So did I. I traded it on a 2008 BMW 128i convertible with 89,000 miles. Except for the rattles that I suspect come with a convertible, everything about it is quieter.--- And it Is RWD !
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100k miles in 3 years of commuting 120 miles a day
Bought this car in 2020 at an auction. At first I thought it was too small and hated that there were no back seats. It turned out to be the biggest blessing ever especially after gas prices and used cars shot up in value. I commute 65 miles to work one way. I bought the car with 67k miles on it and now it has over 160k. It still runs pretty much exactly the way it did when I bought it, great! Only major repair was the clutch burning out at around 150k miles which is pretty much expected. Besides that just regular maintenance. I have had some electrical issues with the headlights due to the previous owner installing ridiculous headlights but I can't blame that on the car. I have even driven this car in heavy rain and light snow storms (northeast US) although I don't recommend it, I've never gotten stuck due to nice traction control feature. I'm 5'10'', 215 lbs and I don't love getting in and out of the car but other than that its pretty comfortable. I've actually taken the wife and dog on road trips with a full trunk many times, somehow we made it work. It was worth it for a car that I know won't break down and gets 40mpg. At first I wanted to flip the car and get a civic but now I think I'm going to ride this baby to the wheels fall off... and then probably buy some new wheels. Thank you God for this car!
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LOVE my CRZ
I have my CRZ about 3 months now and LOVE IT!! I saw one on the road and followed it to find out what it was, and that is was a hybrid sold me on it! I have had people stop and ask "what is that?" and have seen people checking it out in parking lots. Getting mileage over 41 mpg. And I look good in it!
True Experience after 1 year
So I'll give the good and bad. First you have to know what you're getting into and this is not the old CRX. I think Honda was trying to satisfy maybe a different segment then the tuner crowd. My opinion is this is a good looking car and gets better gas milage then they say. I'm averaging 39.6 city and 45.5 highway. This is a Hybrid and uses battery assistance but in the year I've owned it, it has worked perfect and you dont have many other owner complaints on battery life or reliability. I believe the batteries last for over 15 years and although they originally were very expensive if they ever need changed they have come way down in price from over $3000 to in some cases $1000 to $1500 to replace now. Still again they have gotten very little complaints and seem to last a very long time and possibly longer then the 15 year projections. The interior is sporty and fits me but I'm 5 foot 9. I love the fact that it has not only different driving modes from economy to regular to sport mode that you can put it into but it also has paddle shifters. I can use economy and save gas or if I'm in a hurry toss it in sport mode and zip around town. Again not super fast but in sport mode it still gets up and goes and again it's not meant to be a tuner. Pulling out into traffic I can even use paddle shifters to downshift and give it that extra umph to squeeze into traffic. (Yes I'm one of those drivers...lol.) Interior is busy at first with many buttons but you quickly learn where everything is and come to enjoy it. The dash is digital with a cool display and again you come to love it. The seats are acceptable, good cloth with stiching but long trips to other states you can feel a little uncomfortable after awhile but I'm attributing this to the ride more then the seats. You feel the road in this car. It is not a Lexus and not a true sport car so although fun to drive dont expect the far end range of comfort or sport but it's not priced like a luxury car either. My biggest complaint is blind spots and no backup or side cameras. I will be adding those as aftermarket products this year actually but Honda knowing there were blind spots should of build in these safeguards. There is no back seat. They gave Europe and China back seats but not in America. Now as only a emergency idea or a want, (as they are not approved), I've seen people place 4 wheeler ATV replacement bench seat in the back that folds down and screw them into place. It actually looked pretty good and as a emergency jumper seat it works. This is not recommended and of course not approved but again I can see a emergency use to have a back seat and actually thought of modifying mine to add this tweak. Still if you are buying this car you know going in it has no back seat so you should probably leave it alone,,,wink wink..lol. Hatchback storage is bigger then a trunk and smaller then many other hatchbacks so dont expect it to carry everything many other hatchbacks carry but still it's about 2.5 times bigger then a regular trunk on most cars. After 1 year I'm giving this a 4.5 out of 5 stars . A fun car to drive with good gas milage, good reliability, great looks and a fun factor. Know what you're getting is not the CRX of old and you will be happy with this car. Now go enjoy the ride.
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My 3rd Honda hybrid
It's not sporty nor hybrid enough for the hard-core in either camp but I find it a great compromise. That may sound bad to some but I love it for that & can't say enough about the CVT. Having one before and another on our other car, I am pleased with the economy of a CVT anyway but this one including the three modes (four when you figure out the "Sport" can work as automatic OR paddle shifted) makes for a quite broad range of "compromise". Enjoy!
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The CRZ is much better than the CRX or Honda SI
I have owned a 1984 CRX and a 1993 Civic SI. The SI was more fun to drive than the CRX and my CRZ is much better than either one of these. There is more power than the SI with much better gas mileage. About the people that criticize it having only two seats...I don't know of anyone that would criticize a Corvette or a Porsche only having two seats. If I want to drive more than one other person around I will drive one of my other cars. This CRZ is to the 2000 teens what the Mustang was to the 1960's. Only now with gas at 14 times what it was in the 60's, it is all about gas mileage. Cars with poor gas mileage are obsolete dinosaurs.
Almost a new CRX!
It was way past time to give up my beloved 20- year-old CRX-Si due to lack of modern safety features. I'd kept my eye on the the development of the CR-Z and ended up buying a lovely white one, base model, 6-speed. My feelings for the CR-Z are skewed a bit by my love of the old-style steering, shifting, and handling of the CRX. In sport mode, the CR-Z comes close. The seats are not as comfortable for me as the old CRX, and the shifter feels kind of clunky. The blind spot was almost a deal breaker, but I'm learning to trust the mirror. I am not totally sold that this needed to be a hybrid - the gas engine shutting down is still unnerving!
Almost bought one...
Honda, please take this engine/drivetrain and put it into a Fit! Having owned a Del Sol in a previous life, I know that a 2 seater car is not practical for me. The CRZ is a very traffic friendly vehicle. Like the Del Sol, when pushed it is surprisingly entertaining, but easy to keep under 100mph. It is balanced, handles well, and is much more solid feeling than the Del Sol. I got 40mpg on the test drive with mostly hills and traffic... It's not quite as fun to drive as a Mini Cooper, but it is so much more fun to drive than a Prius!
Fun Drive!
Had this car for 5 months now and can't wait to drive it each day. We live in the Rockies and travel to Salt Lake Utah valley often. Love the ride up and down the mountains. No lost of power coming up. Fuel average is 40 mpg. Sport car all the way!
The 1 all Prius owners wish they bought
Honestly there are very few low mid range priced car makers out there any longer that smart consumers would feel confident with purchasing one of there vehicles; Honda is one exception. Honda has always built quality vehicles and provided very good customer service / relations. We have purchased six new vehicles in our life-time so far and had always bought American made vehicles in the past. I have found there is no longer any such maker, Fords are made in Mexico, Chevrolets in Canada, Dodge Chryslers in Mexico and just about anywhere but America; so-long to built in America unless you buy a Harley Davidson. I had to voice this due to the fact that we painfully found out the
Exceeds Expectations
I bought this car in Jan 2011 as a commuter. As of 5/1/2012 have over 33,000 miles. No problems, only time gas mileage less than EPA hiway was 2 people climbing mountains in NC, got 36.5. Average commute is 80 mi/day, 99% hiway. Averaging 39MPG, high was in city driving on a week-end trip when we got 43MPG in Miami. Performance good for 65-75MPH driving on interstates, very little around town but when I do it shows about 40.3. More than enough room (6'1"), actually have to pull the seat up to reach the pedals. Interior quality good, more than enough room for my usage.
Best Small Car for the Money!
Were do I begin? We looked closely at the '10 Honda Insight & Fit, but could not help staring across the showroom floor at the bright red '11 CR-Z! Aside from the looks, we were sold on the bargain price for such a sexy well-built comfortable coupe. We test drove a loaded silver EX Navi-equipped model and were amazed at the high quality ride, materials and paint luster. After a short drive we immediately decided on the sporty red model that lured us in the beginning. The stunning good looks are complimented by a superb ride, great acceleration and 50 MPG on the highway. Even 40+ MPG on city streets is remarkable! Everyone praises the Honda as we drive by or park. The CR-Z's youthful & fun!
If you want a hybrid with a stick, this is the one
This is the only hybrid on the market that is available with a manual transmission. It is a 2-seater, with a very large cargo area, great for trips to Costco. The car is fun to drive, reliable like most Hondas, and performs well. It has 3 driving modes--normal, eco, and sport. I usually drive in eco mode, but it will really take off in sport mode. Looks great too! Still no maintenance required, other than oil and filter changes and new tires.
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way more them they give credit
when you look at the stats and specs that this car is givin its misleading. saying its not fast enuf or the gasmilage isnt what its supost to be, i must disagree i got the 6mt and was told 31-38 thats not what im getting im up to 43 avg. and the 0-60 they claim im blowing it away and i havent even givin it all its got its about 6 sec witch is faster then any car in its price range the sport and eco buttons make a huge diffrence and the s+ gives you something extra too. i think if honda and other companies would have tested it properly they would have sold more. i wasnt going to buy it after looking up online reviews but after testing it i couldnt refuse its far more then they give it credit
Tell it like it is.
I've owned a 6 speed CR-Z for the past 11 months, I still look forward to getting behind the wheel. Lets be honest if you consider the 6 speed then mileage is not the only thing on your mind. It's all about the drive, the windier the road the better, any time at the wheel listening to a great sound system is a joy, long trips become more enjoyable. What this car delivers on is very solid crisp road handling, head turning good looks, maneuverability in tight spaces, Honda quality, great fit and finish, very conservative fuel consumption, and it's just plain fun to drive.
"It's not a Fit or a CRX! BOO!"
Title: me, before I bought this thing off a coworker. Now, I'm confident he knew something I didn't. Is it as nimble as the EF-generation CR-X? No. Does the LEA motor spin into the lower stratosphere with the charisma of a B-series or even a D15? No. Does it have a substantial aftermarket like every other Honda built between 1985 and three days ago? No. Does it have any power at all? Not really. What is does have is a surprisingly nice six-speed transmission, a surprising amount of low-end torque courtesy of the pancake electric motor, and a chassis that, while never rising to the raw feel of Hondas of yore, will still happily remind you that it has a wheelbase shorter than that of an R50 Mini (i.e. twitchy, but chuckable). And a surprisingly large cargo area. And decent gas mileage. And it's a two-seater, hybrid, manual, hatchback. Is it more fun to drive than a Miata? No. Is is as fuel efficient as a Prius? No. Does it have the soul of old Honda? Debatable. But if you step away from all of those expectations and take the car as it is, you'll find a surprisingly nice, reliable, engaging-enough car to drive to work, and a nimble-ish, planted, chuckable platform in the twisties. Is it a compromise? Yes. But it's not compromised. It's not going to go down in history as the second coming of a front-driver legend, but it is a truly decent, very usable, fun, and reliable automobile.
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Zippy Fun Hybrid
I was shopping for a economy gas vehicle and had narrowed my choices down to a Fit or Scion xD when I saw the CRZ in the Honda show room.; I was instantly enamored. I was down-scaling from a large SUV to a small car I struggled with the idea of a two seater but quickly dismissed since I was keeping the SUV. I found the Prius boring and the Insight low resale. Previously owned utility type vehicles but decided it was time for a fun car. I settled on the Silver EX with Navi model. Ive had the car 3 weeks and very pleased, 43 mpg hwy and with drive conscientious driving I get ~40 city; mileage keeps improving.
Best (affordable) hybrid yet
What an amazing replacement for my civic hybrid. Great fuel economy in econ mode over the highway, nice passing power if I flip into sport. Interior is what really sold me and makes me look forward to taking a drive. This is by no means a sports car but it takes the win as the sportiest hybrid one can easily afford.
Spirit of the old CRX intact
Picked this car up as soon as it hit the showrooms. I love the styling, it attracts quite a lot of looks from everyone. Really does look like a modern CRX. Mine is the EX with the 6 spd and it was quite hard to find, had to preorder from dealership. It was worth the wait because I absolutely love taking this car out on the road. Its very fun to drive and still gets great gas mileage. I have about 1500 miles and average 38 mpg with the stick and hard driving. The hybrid power train is very torquey but still provides the Honda high rpm VTEC rush in sport mode. If Honda comes out with an Si version with the K20Z3 from the Si I will trade it in but i love the fact that this car is a 2 seater.
Sporty 6 Speed Manual!
I picked up this little 2013, 6 speed manual CR-Z after the original owner hit a deer in it. The damage wasn’t horrible. I put a junkyard bumper, fender, and hood on it, and started driving it. I am amazed with the car! It is very peppy, fast and nimble. I have two nice Mercedes, and find myself driving this CR-Z most of the time. I put about $20 bucks gas in it a week. I am highly impressed with it. It doesn’t use a drop of any fluids, and low miles. I have since decided to keep it, and sell one of the Mercedes.
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"Sport Hybrid" That isn't that sporty or efficient
I test drove a 2012 CR-Z EX manual transmission with 65K miles . I read every review and long term test in preperation before stepping on the lot. For a little context, I have owned a 02 Accord DX, 93' Civic DX, and a 2010 Honda Fit Base all manual transmissions. I know small Honda's pretty well and hoped the CR-Z would be a moderately zippy 2 seater that could spirit-fully take a turn. What I found was a car that was slower and did not handle as well as my Fit. On the upside, the CR-Z is extremely cheap to insure(Hybrid owners are considered safer) and gets pretty good MPG. The downside, well it's not really GOOD at anything. Again, it's not a good sports car or hybrid. There are a handful of Hondas that can offer a fun driving experience with comparable MPG and more than two seats. So why would you bother? Maybe it's the styling or perhaps the size works well for you in the city or you just want something different. Either way, if you know what you're getting into it's not a bad car it just doesn't make sense.
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Great car for what it is
If you are expecting a lean sports car with some serious power then keep looking, this isn't for you. This car is in the same category as a $20,000 hatchback, and it blows everything else for the price out of the water. If you are a lead foot and love to romp on the gas from a stand still every chance you get you will find yourself draining the battery pretty quickly. This is not a high performance machine, its a sporty hybrid, and for what it is, Honda has done a great job designing this vehicle.
CRZ in Miami
I traded in my 2007 Ford edge for the 2011 cr-z ex CVT. At first I had to get used to much less room and lower visibility but fun driving and spending 50% less gas money is great and helps to comfort me in other ways.
Better than Expected
After researching a few months before it was released, I was expecting to be disappointed when I went to take a test drive the day dealers received a few. I read about rear visibility issues (common in hatchback), and I was expecting poor handling/power (hybrid). I loved the outside look but THOUGHT I would drive and decide not to buy. Wrong! While I understand the enthusiasts of the old CR-X wanting an Si model with more power, this vehicle performed well! It is a true balance between sport/fun and economy. Sure, I can't pass another car at 100mph on the freeway like I could in my BMW Z4, but this is one fun car if you can deal with it seating only 2.
Works for Me !
Have 1000 miles on it now. I bought the automatic. Lots of fun. The fuel mileage is increasing now that I"m driving it in "Normal" all the time. Getting 38.4 mpg now. Has plenty of PEP. Handling is good. No the smoothest ride because the battery under the trunk is so heavy. Hope it holds up! Happy so far! Got 7.0 seconds 0-60 on the 5th try in "Sport-Mode".
A Thinking Man's Car
OK - Don't miss the point on this one. The CR-Z is not the fastest, prettiest, or "est" car out there in anyway- But, it is a nice balance of fuel economy and flirtations fun to drive. And it is big on the tech side. The 6 speed manual makes it a lot more drivable that any Toyota. If you want a big, fat, dumb muscle car - buy a Chrysler - um - Fiat. And my 30 something and 40 something friends (all edjamacated and stuff) get it.
love car, hate headlights
When driving with low beams on the visibility is terrible. it looks like a dark shade is pulled down 2/3s of the way on the windshield. On a hilly, curvy road you can see the posts , but not the sign on top of it.. I think it is dangerous. I have written Honda and have talked to the BB for Auto and filled out a kit they supplied. Honda in Calif. says there is nothing wrong with the headlights. . I am sure I will hear from the Better Business for Autos.
Problem after problem-Stay Away
Really cool looking vehicle, sporty for a hybrid and fun to drive. Unfortunately, these Honda’s are about as reliable as a fart in the wind. Don’t be surprised when you walk out to your CRZ on a 32 degree or below morning and it doesn’t start. The 12V battery in these cars is absolute JUNK. Too small to even crank the motor, you will find yourself replacing these batteries FREQUENTLY ($200.00 a piece). I hope you enjoy paying for Tow trucks, because this car will be on the back of a tow truck multiple times a year. Don’t take it anywhere too far from home, it will likely not start and leave you stranded. I have been a Honda fan since I could drive, but this car made me question the brands quality at this point. The Air Conditioner is very weak (you will be sweating profusely on 85+ degree days), and the AC compressor is known to go out. I replaced mine multiple times. Overall, the best part about this vehicle was the 6 speed manual transmission, if it wasn’t for that, i would give it a 1 star review. Absolute junk, stay away.
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