Demand for hybrid automobiles is skyrocketing within the U.S. market, as extra customers require improved effectivity to curb the ever-increasing gasoline costs. They’re additionally proving to be a way more financially viable choice in comparison with totally electrical automobiles, that are significantly costlier and depreciate at a a lot sooner charge. The primary cause why you’d wish to take into account a hybrid automobile possession expertise is to avoid wasting in your month-to-month gasoline bills.
Over the past 12 months, the general EV market has grown thanks to a couple compelling choices, however this progress charge has not been as excessive as we have seen with the brand new HEV market, which reached new gross sales heights in 2024. A giant cause for this success is because of noteworthy progress in battery and electrical motor applied sciences, which have helped make HEVs extra accessible and environment friendly.
- Base Trim Engine
-
1.5L Inline-4 Hybrid
- Base Trim Transmission
-
6-Pace Handbook
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
Entrance-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
130 hp
- Base Trim Torque
-
140 lb-ft @ 1000 rpm
The hybrid sedan market is just not a extremely represented one within the U.S., regardless of some Japanese and South Korean producers promoting this configuration in very huge numbers each month. Regardless of Japanese manufacturers promoting HEVs that prime the gross sales charts, they generally miss the mark on the subject of making a hybrid configuration that goes towards the norms. The long-discontinued Honda CR-V is a comparatively sporty HEV that sources inspiration from a really iconic moniker that struggled to get gross sales off the bottom all through its quick lifespan.
Granted, it is not essentially the most thrilling or aspirational mannequin, however the model has finished an ideal job at placing collectively an inexpensive and high-quality product that’s comparatively enjoyable to drive at low speeds. Regardless of not being obtainable, it advantages from a distinct segment and devoted following that caters to hypermilers who’re completely satisfied to sacrifice efficiency for gas effectivity and vary.
To provide the most modern and correct info potential, the information used to compile this text was sourced from Honda and different authoritative sources, together with the EPA and J.D. Energy.
We Did not Love The Honda CR-Z Sufficient
The Enjoyable Handbook HEV Sports activities Automobile Was A Underrated Gem
The Honda CR-Z was a large disappointment when it launched in 2011 as a result of it utterly did not match the pleasurable persona that the unique CR-X put out so properly. Regardless, it matches into the trendy world of hybridization fairly properly, regardless of it solely being an MHEV. It is also one of many only a few hybrids you could get with a six-speed handbook transmission. Naturally, the primary cause why you’d wish to take into account one is to get pleasure from its extremely favorable gas consumption returns.
2016 Honda CR-Z EPA Gasoline Consumption Estimates
|
Transmission |
Six-Pace Handbook |
CVT |
|
Fuel Consumption (metropolis/freeway/mixed) |
31/33/37 MPG |
35/38/36 MPG |
|
Vary |
350 Miles |
382 Miles |
|
5-12 months Gasoline Financial savings |
$1,250 |
$2,000 |
|
Annual Gasoline Price |
$1,450 |
$1,300 |
|
Price To Drive 25 Miles (EV/Fuel) |
$2.39 |
$2.19 |
|
Price To Fill The Tank |
$33 |
$33 |
|
Tank Capability |
10.6 Gallons |
10.6 Gallons |
The EPA estimates that the ultimate 2016 mannequin 12 months with the six-speed handbook transmission returns 31/33/37 MPG on the town/freeway/mixed cycle and covers 350 miles from its 10.6-gallon tank with some assist from a compact 0.6-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Over 5 years, you possibly can anticipate to avoid wasting $1,250 on gas and spend $1,450 on gasoline yearly. This quirky fastback prices $2.39 to drive 25 miles and $33 to refuel. Choosing the much less aspirational CVT mannequin improves consumption estimates to 35/38/36 MPG and vary to 382 miles. You will save $2,000 on gasoline over 5 years and spend $1,300 on gas yearly. You will end up spending $2.19 to drive 25 miles.
With its three driving modes, now we have all of it, from 36 mpg common to thrilling efficiency. Within the sport mode, it is a little rocket ship and handles in addition to different roadsters we examined. It is an ideal value–nice & snug inside, enticing gauges and decor, good leisure system with Bluetooth, loads of cargo room, nice dealing with.
-2016 Honda CR-Z Hybrid proprietor by way of Edmunds
The Honda CR-Z Produces 130 Horsepower
There Was A Supercharged Choice To Add Attraction
The Honda CR-Z options Honda’s L-Collection naturally aspirated 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces a mixed 122 horsepower and 128 pound-feet, which is not actually a lot to get enthusiastic about. That is solely obtainable as a front-wheel drive mannequin, and can cowl 0-60 MPH in 8.8 seconds earlier than hitting its restricted 130 MPH prime velocity. The electrical motor produces 13 horsepower when working in isolation, which does not occur regularly, as that is formally an MHEV. Honda utilized a practical replace to the vary in the course of its lifecycle, which features a bump in energy to 130 horsepower and 140 pound-feet, however this did not do a lot for the claimed acceleration instances.
2016 Honda CR-Z Efficiency Specs
| Powertrain | 1.5-Liter 4-Cylinder And One Electrical Motor |
| Horsepower | 130 HP @6,000 RPM |
| Torque (CVT) | 140 LB-FT @ 1,000 RPM (127 LB-FT @ 1,000 RPM) |
| Transmission | Six-Pace Handbook or CVT |
| Driveline | Entrance-Wheel Drive |
| Battery | 0.6 kWh |
| 0-60 MPH | 8.8 Seconds |
| High Pace | 130 MPH |
The American market was so enraged by the truth that the CR-Z produced so little energy that Honda U.S. needed to step up and launch a restricted HPD mannequin, that includes a bolt-on supercharger and retuned ECU. This was solely obtainable for the handbook fashions and produced 197 horsepower and 176 pound-feet and included a manufacturing facility powertrain guarantee in case you had it fitted on the dealership. Worldwide markets additionally had entry to specialised fashions, equivalent to Japan’s supercharged Mugen RZ, though this solely produces a mixed 156 horsepower. The Spoon CR-Z solely options some weight refinements.
How A lot A Honda CR-Z Prices In 2025
Used Fashions Are An Absolute Steal
In 2016, the Honda CR-Z was a comparatively dear choice for its time, with the bottom LX costing $21,780 and the flagship EX-L $25,952. As of at the moment, you possibly can choose one up for as little as $11,511 to $14,091, relying on mileage, specification, and total situation.At this value, it is a compact and impractical HEV, however its normal specification checklist is impressively complete. The bottom LX comes normal with automated local weather management, cruise management, manually adjustable entrance seats, and fabric upholstery. This by-product solely will get the six-speaker audio system with a 160-Watt amplifier, in addition to a seven-inch Electrostatic touchscreen infotainment system.The EX provides LED daytime working lights, heated facet mirrors, HID headlights, foglights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, textured aluminum pedals, ambient console lighting, and a Kind R-esque aluminum shift knob with a leather-based accent. It additionally will get the 360-Watt premium seven-speaker audio system. Choosing the Navi package deal provides leather-based upholstery, entrance seat heating, satellite tv for pc navigation, and HD radio.All fashions profit from a complete security degree, with normal inclusions consisting of the next:
- Honda’sSuperior Compatibility Engineering Physique Construction
- Twin-stage and multiple-threshold entrance airbags
- SmartVent entrance facet airbags
- Facet curtain airbags
- Honda LaneWatch (EX solely)
What Honda Might Have Accomplished Proper To Make It A Success
The Odds Had been In opposition to It From The Begin
The Honda CR-Z failed globally as a result of it tried to be each a sporty coupe and an environment friendly hybrid, however ended up excelling at neither. Honda marketed it as a non secular successor to the CR-X, promising light-weight agility and driver engagement, however the hybrid Built-in Motor Help left lovers disenchanted. Weighing greater than anticipated and producing a lot lower than the promised near-200-horsepower output from the idea mannequin, it lacked the thrilling efficiency anticipated from a compact sports activities automotive.
Honda CR-Z U.S. Gross sales Figures
|
12 months |
Unit Gross sales |
|---|---|
|
2010 |
5,249 Copies |
|
2011 |
11,330 Copies |
|
2012 |
4,192 Copies |
|
2013 |
4,550 Copies |
|
2014 |
3,562 Copies |
|
2015 |
3,073 Copies |
|
2016 |
2,338 Copies |
|
2017 |
705 Copies |
|
2018 |
38 Copies |
In the meantime, hybrid patrons who prioritized effectivity over driving dynamics discovered higher choices just like the Toyota Prius C, which supplied superior gas financial system. Its 2+2 seat format and compromised practicality additional restricted its viewers, and by the point Honda improved its efficiency with a higher-output hybrid powertrain, the market had already moved on.
Honda’s Upcoming Challenge Goals To Proper The Wrongs
Honda’s upcoming Prelude seeks to appropriate these errors by embracing electrification with out sacrificing efficiency. Not like the CR-Z, which was a half-measure, the new Prelude is anticipated to characteristic a extra highly effective hybrid system, seemingly derived from Honda’s e:HEV lineup, providing each sturdy acceleration and effectivity. It’s going to additionally return to a extra conventional sports activities coupe type issue, guaranteeing it appeals to a broader viewers slightly than isolating itself with a two-seater format.
Honda has discovered that lovers need partaking dynamics with real efficiency slightly than a compromised hybrid system, and with a quickly evolving market that’s now extra accepting of hybrid efficiency automobiles, the Prelude has an actual probability at success. If Honda delivers a correctly sorted chassis, aggressive energy figures, and an electrified drivetrain that enhances slightly than hinders driving enjoyment, the Prelude might redeem Honda’s sporty hybrid ambitions the place the CR-Z failed. Pricing and positioning might be key, because the market now calls for compelling alternate options to pure EVs.
