Forget the Critics, buy a Honda CR-Z.

Released back in 2010, the futuristic Honda CR-Z was way ahead of it's time. It was a hybrid sports car with a manual gearbox and the dashboard from a star fighter. It didn't sell all that well, but today they are a used car bargain.

Model on review: 2011 CR-Z Sport IMA Hybrid

#honda #hondacrz

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[extremeaustin]

I have owned my 2014 Honda CR-Z for 8 years now, it has 130k miles and runs just like the day I bought it. Mine has the newer lithium ion battery and the CVT transmission. Mine is also white, which i firmly believe is the best color on these cars. I have had zero trouble out of the car, except that now my passenger door handle is starting to fail, common issue as you've shown. Some people seem to exaggerate the fuel economy of these vehicles saying they get 50+ mpg. They are full of it, we live in a day and age where you can get on fuelly and see real world MPG and I can tell you from 8 years of ownership this car gets about 38mpg in "normal" mode and 40-42.5 mpg in eco mode if you baby it. The car is quite slow in eco mode though and eco mode puts more strain on your battery so I typically use normal mode. each "mode" also adjusts the responsiveness of the steering wheel. Normal mode is extremely responsive, sport mode even more so, and eco mode a little more relaxed. I do wish I could have the tight steering of sport mode without the engine behaving like "sport mode". Sport mode might be better in the Manual, but in the CVT it just makes your RPM's increase. I rarely use it. I love the storage capacity of the CRZ's hatch. I like to go camping and stand up paddleboarding, my "SUP" boards are inflatable so I can throw 2 or 3 in the hatch no problem. I bought the car with 3000 miles on it from a KIA dealership in the US for $17, 200 8 years ago. mine is the premium model with nav and the updated black interior (which looks a million times nicer than the awful grey interiors) Overall I am very happy with the car and I'm glad I bought it, but as a "sports car" it leaves SO much to be desired. I would go so far as to say it is not a sports car. It is a sporty car, there is a big difference. The car is a little heavy, especially compared to the classic CRX or other 80's/90'/00's Honda's. the electric motor does provide great low end torque, but equating it to a supercharger is a bit of a joke( although there was an HPD version of the car sold that did come from the factory with a supercharger and produced 200 horsepower) These cars can be turned into a performance car, but that typically involves K swapping the engine. The car also has quite a bit of body roll in the corners, so the suspension would need stiffening up. (anti roll bars and either lowering springs or coilovers) I recently put KONI shocks on mine with are slightly sportier but also take bumps a little harsher. The car is not rev happy at all, there is no reason to floor it because the result is pretty pitiful. Its great off the line, but that is where the excitement ends. this last year I acquired a manual 2014 NC miata and it instantly revealed how much the CRZ is not a sports car, that miata is exponentially more fun to drive than the CR-Z. But it also suggests premium fuel and gets 28mpg compared to the CRZ's 38-42 mpg. the miata also obviously doesn't have the storage of the CRZ. So i have both, two 2014 2 door japanese cars. I missed shifting gears so that is why I got the miata. By comparision the CR-Z seems boring, but that doesn't mean its not an amazing car. On the CRZ forums there is apparently someone who has 450k miles on the stock motor. The engine is under such low stress that it will literally run forever. Another interesting fact about these cars is that if the electric motor goes out, the car still drives, it will just lose all the torque. This is different from a prius which cannot run without the electric motor. I added the K&N air filter and it does make the throttle slightly more responsive. I'm Austinblack25 on instagram for anyone who might want to give me a follow. Cheers. great video JJ

[mjr]

I had that! Was in my early 20s friends thought I was weird but I loved it. Such a fun and eco car.

[grahamrock]

JJ...Shussssh, for Heaven's sake, less than 3800 of these SUPERB cars, Registered to drive in the UK, (only 760 in Australia). In 2010, being short of funds, I promised myself that one Day I would find a HONDA CR-Z to cherish and enjoy....promise realised at last.
Convincing my Wife that She would be very Happy to Love and enjoy this exceptional quality vehicle we found one....Red, 2010, Hybrid Sport, Manual, WITH JUST 30K genuine miles FSH on the dial.
Obviously, being a Honda, with that superb 6 Speed Box, genuine SCI-FI body and interior, this vehicle "turns heads" even today...a future 'Classic', absolutely.
Agreed, NOT fast, NOT that frugal for a Hybrid, but the pleasure of ownership cannot detract from the sheer pleasure of driving this unbelievable vehicle.
So, not too much praise please, these proud CR-Z owners make every attempt to keep quiet and unreservedly proud to enjoy motoring as it should be...comfortable and reliable. STAY SAFE...G.A.R. *and Wife*

[micahknopp]

I absolutely love mine!! Wish mine was a manual, but I don’t mind the automatic. The biggest thing I wish was that it was just a bit more powerful

[JJLTACTICALSOLUTIONS]

I just got a 2012 Base 6 speed manual with very low mileage. I freaking love it!

[Godot]

Cracking review! After watching this and others, I went out and bought a 2011 white one for just £1800. Best car ever!

[pedrohm]

I got one as my first car two months ago and i couldnt be happier!
The 2013 model with the lithium batteries is almost unobtainable outside of japan, the uk and the us, and its also said that in the long run the nimh packs are more durable

[alexanderswagin]

Hi from Australia. 5 days time taking delivery of my next CRZ(luxury spec, 2014 only available as one trim final year of import here) Traded my original standard spec for a Civic type R. Had an Mazda mx30 and a Mazda 3 skyactiv X and now realise what a great car the CRZ was. Even the type R was too firm despite being the update 2020 model. An event to drive but too tiring to drive for long. Didn’t help I was recovering from cancer treatment. Can’t wait to get back in the CRZ. Cheers.

[fredonline]

Yeah, it's a crackin' looking car, I like the futuristic dash, not so much the black wheels - would be much better looking in silver! You had some nice new roads to pootle around on there, not even on Google Maps Street View yet!

[nolahahnshouse]

I live in the states (Florida) and I purchased a 2013 cr-z ex 6 speed a couple weeks ago and I’m falling in love with it already. K-swapping it in the future is the goal.

[Panoulhs_]

what a nice review! I was actually curious about this car cause it's so rare to find these days on the roads. Thanks for clearing things up!

[sansorio]

I have a 2011 and I'm the only owner and it's my only car. The best mileage I've ever seen is 6.4l/100km or 37mpg. Granted, I don't do many long trips with it.

Reason I still have it is I can't find anything newer I want to replace it with. It's just a very special car. I'm reminded everytime I sit down in it, and everytime I see it. It's so low and squat and tiny compared to almost everything.
It's not perfect by any means, tbh I think the hybrid route was a wrong move with a car like this, though I like the torque. This car would be ideal for a 1 litre 3-cyl and a turbo. But that age came afterwards.

[stdev.]

6:46 It is! I wave to other CR-Z's from my black 2011. Brake pads replaced at 114k miles. Now 173k and going strong. It's proven to be a practical car for me, moved across the country and back with it. Mine's got manual transmission unlike most in the US. (I haven't driven an automatic but can you imagine?) Cheers from across the pond!

[MrAarongilbey]

I still love my 2010 CRZ GT Navi. Panoramic roof, all options including Glow pack (speakers, kick plate and door lighting), Carbon pack - spoilers and silver grill. It's ultra reliable, starts first time every time.

It's not super economical nor fast, a Mini Cooper S will run rings around it. It's a great blend of both and unlike a Mini it looks so different and uncommon.

Eco mode feels like you've left the handbrake on, I rarely use it. Boot is a decent size for me and huge once the back seat is dropped.

It's one of the cars you look back at when locking up and walking away.

[azzii_x]

Point to be made, it is really light on brakes, especially on the rears. It's a very common issue where the rear calipers can bind just because they never get used. Door handles as well are prone to breaking.
However, the hybrid batteries are VERY rare to go wrong, since how it works it doesn't ever get as stressed and cycled as much as in a conventional hybrid. These things can entirely reasonably make 200k+ miles on stock battery no issues.
Just watch out for major rust and stay away from cars with no service history, and you'll have a fantastic car. Don't fear higher mileage ones, I bought mine on 130k and it's the best driving car I've ever had.

[felixbelanger]

Bought one back in August, I already put 3k km on it, such an awesome car!! I don't regret a thing and I get 48 UK mpg

[neilduignan]

Another great video, JJ. Only 39 on Auto Trader and a decent one can be picked up for less than £4k. Still looks modern today!

[SasOnly]

I think it’s more prettier everyday 🤩 Not a day goes by without looking back when I parked it. And that’s after two years since I owned mine.
Also, as a hybrid it’s now more wanted than ever.

[Rjhs]

Hi JJ. Well, a totally different take on the hybrid idea to that of Toyota and I can see the benefits of the Honda system although mpg may not be one of them.
My previous car was a Civic and that had the spoiler across the back window which interfered with the rear view, although at night it successfully blocked the headlights of those driving too close behind.
Another fair review, cheers.

[Nick-Nasty]

I've had mine for 5 years, and just love it. I get 45-50 miles per gallon, which is awesome