Hi Folks,

I just got back from a drive of the CRZ and thought some of you might like my impressions.

Just so folks know where I'm coming from I currently drive a '98 Integra Type-R, and previously owned a S2000 as well as an original gen1 CRX. I've been driving lots of other new cars to find a replacement for my type-r (so I'm familiar with a lot of stuff that's out there) with little success so far.

I drove the automatic FYI - they didn't have a 6-speed.

Anyhoo...

Exterior Styling: Summary? Knockout - home run. Better than it looks in photos.
Details: The exterior looks just right to me in person, from all angles. The front radiator hole looks much smaller in person, and seems more inline with the design than it does on paper. I really liked it. It looks like a futuristic CRX (that's a good thing). The rear tires are WAY outboard toward the bumper, which isn't bad, but it probably helps the handling. Front-end looks great. I like the lines around the car quite a bit. The rear end works too. The front headlights remind me of the s2000 headlight styling (that's good).

Interior Styling: Summary? Good, but a few misses.
Details: Driver's dash is pretty amazing. Unique and perfectly useable. Hard to describe how it looks, but it really works. It's very circular, and everything's extremely easy to read and view. Colors change to red in sport mode (pretty neat). Home run for the dash-view coolness factor. AC/heat controls simple (didn't test effectiveness). Oddly, the dashboard doesn't blend nicely with the door-lines on the passenger side. It just seems off, like they didn't think about it, which is rare for honda.

Interior finishes? Not sure if that's a hit or not. Seems like more hard-looking plastic than I'd like but I reserve judgement since this was just my first impression.

Driver's position and feel: Summary? Great - nothing to complain about.
Details: Steering wheel is sporty and nicely cushioned, and feels like my s2000 steering wheel (a good thing) but a bit smaller I think. Rear view pretty small. Rear corner-view is tough - I have to drive it again to see if it's a real problem. Good news is that if you're tall, I think it would be a great car - just like my old crx (just keep pushing the seat further back!).

Miscellaneous: This car has the smallest turning radius of any car I've ever driven - I'm 99% sure of it. It was amazingly tight. I just kept turning further and further and the radius dropped and dropped. Incredible. On the other hand, the rear hatch is smaller than I expected it to be.

Handling: Summary: Extremely good - more nimble than I was expecting.
Details: Crisp turnin. Body roll more than I like but not terrible (of course I'm used to the train-rail-flat s2000 and the type-r). Soaks up bumps quite well.

Performance: Summary: Sport mode has some very nice features and feels pretty responsive and quick, although engine response isn't immediate (I'm used to the type-r which is absolutely instant) - it feels like it takes a bit before the engine kicks in, but once it does, it's pretty good. Overall power is of course not like my type-r, but it feels more responsive than the numbers show I think. The paddle-shifters are great, and the variable-transmission feels like real-gears but smoother. It'll hold a gear once you paddle-shift up or down in sport mode. Nice.

Brakes: Seem pretty good - I didn't want to hurt the brakes on a car with 4 miles, so I didn't mash them the way I would if it had hundreds of miles.

I hope this is useful to some of you.

The car is very interesting I think, and worth looking at if you're in the market for a fun car.

Steve

 

I forgot to mention a detail, the engine sound while accelerating is actually quite nice. Much more masculine than I would have thought from a small engine that's hybrid.

 

Nice review. I haven't driven one, but this seems like a fair assessment based on my stop by the Honda dealership to have a look. The driving experience sounds nice. If I didn't have 2 kids and a new home to worry about, I would be seriously considering one of these right now.

 

Forgot to mention one other thing that was brought up in another thread, which I definitely noticed when driving the car. The exhaust sounds nice and sporty.

 

I just got back from test driving a 6 speed CR-Z... i liked it... I liked it a lot. Build Quality is what you should expect from a car that comes from the suzuka factory, and that is TOP notch. It's not completely a slug, but you won't be winning any races in one until you swap in a k series.

One funny thing is that the car comes with three driving modes, if your in eco mode and holding the throttle consistent, and you hit the performance mode, the car jumps forward like you are flooring it. I hope this isn't going to catch some drivers out.

Nearly 3200 lbs is a bit to get moving and turn with stock suspension, and the car does have a slight tail happy body roll to it... but I think a great comment that I have heard before from other reviewers is... WHY? why does this car exist? why does it NOT have independent rear suspension? Why isn't a K series available?

Why oh Why...

 

I'd love to compare the auto back to back with the manual. Unfortunately everyone in my area has auto's only. Did you by any chance drive an automatic for comparison purposes?

 

no sir I did not. Personally I would not consider an auto, but that's just me.
I do know that this is one of the slickest shifting 6 speeds I have driven, and I have driven them all... very tight and perfect engagement.

 

I'm not sure I'd have an auto either - I never have, and have ALWAYS enjoyed driving manuals.

The problem is this, nobody near me has a manual to drive. A dealer offered to get one in, but I'd hate to have him do that just for the test-drive.

That's why I'm looking for comparisons to the auto.

I know what the auto feels like, but it seems like honda did some special tuning for the manual and I wanted to know how they compared.

Steve

 

I would have to say that I would not have any reservations in ordering one if I were you... it was nice. specially when compared to the accord 6 speed v6 which is what I have now

 

one other thing that I didnt know... my sales guy said that this years car is limited to three units per dealer, and all sales after those three will be by order only.

not sure if that truth or not

 

i dont like it cause it only fits 2 people. :\
i wish it could fit more

 

The US model CR-Z is weighing in near 3200lbs? Or were you by chance speaking about another car. If not, that seems way too high considering the model here in Japan only weighs in at 2552lbs and that is the 6MT Alpha model. The CVT model adds another 44lbs. The Beta model 6MT weighs in at 2508lbs.

 

Just curious, why does this car get such pathetic gas mileage being a hybrid? My ****ing 15 year old half decrepit civic cx gets like 10 more mpg on the highway.

 

1) Weight, mostly due to all the extra safety stuff and features I suspect.
2) MPG standards differences - in other words, I doubt if your civic would get any where near 10mpg higher in real life. We'll have to see what real world mpg is on the CRZ and then do some comparisons.
3) The CRZ isn't designed to be just fuel efficient, so it's a mix of product goals (sporty and efficient, with different driving modes etc).
4) I understand that the gvt testing for the MPG numbers doesn't let them use the economy button. If this is true, then the actual mpg using econ would be higher than the ratings.

Steve

 

Then Honda wasted their time trying to make this car "sporty". Should have just made it like a CX or CRX HF, 60 horsepower and KILLER gas mileage. This car feels like it's in limbo, not "fast" and not fantastic fuel economy. It doesn't really please either crowd. At least it looks cool.

 

Have you driven it?

Because my reaction is that it is in fact, fun to drive (unlike many other "faster" cars out there).

And the CRX was never fast. It was insanely fun however - light and nimble and truly a blast to drive.

Even my type-r isn't as fast as many other new cars out there. But most of them are just, well, boring. I'll take a fun-to-drive car any day over a fast car that puts me to sleep.

Steve

 

I traded in my 2005 S2000 for the CR-Z EX. I love it so far (I have had it for about a week). When in the sport mode, it is pretty quick! Also, it can take turns nearly as good as my old S2000. There are only a few things I would change about it though. (1)The horn is pathetic, it sounds like you are pinching a bike horn. (2) It redlines at six and a half. One more thing, I am having problems on the highway, my cr-z will randomly make a high pitch squealing sound that lasts for like half a second. It doesn't do it when I accelerate or decelerate, nor does it happen when I hit a bump. It just seems random. It sounds like someone slammed the breaks suddenly. I was thinking it could be the wind seeping through a crack somewhere, but if anyone has any ideas let me know!

 

Hey, did you get an automatic or six speed? I will keep an ear out for any weird noises from mine and let you know.

ender

 

I have the 6 speed manual, It did it again today on the highway. It's really loud. I'm going to take a tape recorder with me tomorrow so I can record it and play it for the people at the dealership. It doesn't really do it until I get above 80 or 85 MPH. Keep an ear out for me and thanks in advance for the help!

 

dude the CRX was so slow when it came out even in Si form.

5-10 years later the swaps came in . same will probably happen with the CRZ.

 

WTF ?!?!

LoL

 

Not true, the CRX Si was pretty quick for a 4 banger at its time. Faster then most 4cyl at its time. (88-91)

Everytime I see the CRZ, I think what it "could" have been. Mixed feelings about it, hoping to test drive one Friday

 

Same here...I'm going to make a trip to the local Honda dealer this weekend to see one in person. I'm the kind of person who's not really worried about trying to street race everyone anymore. I think this car will find its niche.

 

I think the car could look fantastic with some mods. If I had one, think I would go for the red or Green, get the Mugen kit. get the oem lip spoiler for the rear, a nice drop and some nice looking wheels. CRX really needs wider wheels, wheel/tires look wimpy and doesnt fill the wheel gap/overhang

 

does it have a backseat or the option to get a backseat in it?