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SANTA ROSA, CA – Much like Sally Field in the movie Sybil, the new Honda CR-Z hybrid sports coupe is hard to pin down.
But unlike the movie character, who suffered multiple identities, the ’11 CR-Z on sale in August has only two personalities: sort-of-sporty and slow.
The 2-seat CR-Z’s agile side is decidedly apparent while in Sport driving mode. This is its best and most-important persona if the car is to appeal to the younger buyer Honda is targeting, as well as older buyers who owned the CRX predecessor.
Even in Normal mode, which is the default setting, the CR-Z is somewhat peppy. But the car’s slow side reveals itself in Econ, the third driver-selectable mode and the only obvious way to know the CR-Z is indeed a hybrid with Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist technology under the hood.
The two divergent personalities make a single lukewarm impression. With 122 hp and a nearly 2,700-lb. (1,225 kg) curb weight, just shy of the Insight’s, it’s not really all that athletic.
And while our testers’ fuel economy was decent, in the upper 30-mpg (8 L/100 km) range, a larger, nearly-as-efficient Civic coupe can be had for about the same price, or even less.
CR-Z chief engineer Norio Tomobe says the development target was for a low, short and wide vehicle that offered a high degree of sportiness. The car’s windshield is wide for good cornering visibility, and the driver sits in a low position with upright steering.
The CR-Z’s exterior sheetmetal has visible tension, with a close-to-the-ground look for “presence,” he adds.
The production CR-Z isn’t quite as daring as the concept version unveiled at the Detroit auto show in January. But it still cuts an attractive image on the road, with its blackened pillars making the windshield look even wider and the low grille, with the Honda logo on the edge of the hood, is a step in the right direction.
