Honda CRZ 2016 Hatchback Hybrid

Review

Let's face it: not shopping for a hybrid look for high performance. Great fuel economy and exhilarating performance just does not go together unless you are down nearly one million dollars in the Porsche 918 Spyder. Honda but at least made an effort with the 2016 CR-Z. small hybrid sports coupe is light, led quickly and easily park. stylish design and full of air adventurous dash one of the most interesting among the most futuristic designs or a competitor just pragmatic.

Although the sport compact size, however, the CR-Z is still a bit of a disappointment. Its EPA rating to 37 mpg combined impressive compared with gas models, but failed to other hybrids get 40 mpg and more systematic. the absence of rear seats CR-Z also limit its usefulness. And while it handles very well, it does not offer a compact hybrid clutch driving experience of true coupe or sports sedan, the gap becomes evident when driving back to back with their rivals from the gas.

In short, this hybrid Honda does not fulfill its fundamental mission into a hybrid savers with sides measuring half speed emotions. If you are not committed to the style of the Honda CR-Z or a logo, there are better alternatives in this price range. Toyota Prius C, for example, is very slow, but offers a combined fuel economy of 50 mpg and a four-door hatchback star utility. Petrol Ford Fiesta ST a fast, handles beautifully and offers a respectable 29 mpg combined. And if your budget can travel more luxurious is the Mini Cooper, which mixes the sublime performance, fuel economy and a strong personality.

Body Styles

Both seats 2016 Honda CR-Z hatchback is available in three trim levels: LX, EX and EX-L Navi.

LX standard equipment includes 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless ignition and entry, power accessories and a rear view camera, cruise control, automatic climate control, height adjustable driver seat, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel and retractable load cover.

personal technology including Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, Pandora compatible radio, a text message 7 inch touch screen capability (with a compatible smartphone) and a CD audio system with six speakers with an auxiliary audio input and a USB audio interface.

A step forward for the EX adds automatic xenon headlamps, LED daytime running lights, LED fog lights, heated mirrors, metallic interior trim, leather steering wheel, audio system with seven speakers and enhanced point rail system blindly follow Honda hour.


EX-L Navi includes all of the above and adds leather upholstery, heated front seats, HD radio and, predictably, the satellite navigation system.

Performance

Drive-wheels before the 2016 Honda CR-Z is powered by a gasoline-electric hybrid system with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder with an electric motor for a total output of 130 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque with a companion box six-speed manual.

The number of couples drop to 127 lb-ft with a choice of CVT transmission (CVT), which is also equipped with paddles on the steering wheel.

A three-way switch allows the driver to choose between normal driving sport mode, or Econ. Each gas pedal sensitivity adjustment settings, steering effort planning of transmission (CVT), electric assist motor (manual transmission) and the additional use of air conditioning.

Plus Sport System is an integrated element of cunning to dispense with the maximum power of the battery for 5 seconds, give a jolt while acceleration by pressing a button on the steering wheel. This function can be used in operating mode, whenever the battery is more than 50 percent loaded and CR-Z moves more than 19 mph.

In Edmunds testing, a manual-equipped CR-Z goes from zero to 60 mph in 8.8 seconds, while the model with CVT made sprint of 9.2 seconds. Both times were faster than the other hybrids in its price range, but slower than the compact sports competition.

fuel economy is another story. With an estimated fuel 34 mpg combined (31 city / highway 38) with manual transmission and 37 mpg combined (36 city / 39 highway) with the CVT, the CR-Z is the level of compact sport very well, but falls short in comparison hybrid of the same price.