If you’re looking for a two-seat hybrid hatchback coupe, the 2014 Honda CR-Z is your only selection– however lots of various other little autos supply more motoring enjoyable, or greater gas effectiveness, commonly at equivalent expense. Reviewers state that while the 2014 Honda CR-Z is just one of the sharpest-handling hybrids on the marketplace, it’s far from a cars and its two-seat indoor makes it less sensible compared to other hybrid vehicles.
Styling and Competitors
The 2014 Honda CR-Z is all but the same in its fourth year. It’s still an unique shape: a low, wide rollerskate of a hatchback on a very short wheelbase, with relatively half its length before the considerably raked windshield and an oddly truncated high tail.
The goal was to mixture impacts from three different automobiles: the much-loved 1983-1991 CRX two-seat hatchback, the 1999-2006 Insight two-seat hybrid coupe, and today’s Insight subcompact five-door hatchback. The result is unique, a compromise that integrates marginal aerodynamic nuisance and the dictates of contemporary crash structures in a way that the CRX never ever had to. The CR-Z’s tall tail, with a vertical glass panel to improve rear exposure, was a style of both the CRX and the initial Insight.
Last year’s CR-Z acquired a somewhat upgraded nose and tail, featuring blue colored headlamps and tail lights. but the distinctions won’t be visible unless you’re an enthusiast. In general, the automobile conveys existence on the road, even if we’re not persuaded you could call it appealing.
Inside, the wraparound control panel has the two tier format knowledgeable to Civic and Idea vehicle drivers. Unlike certain severe Honda interiors, the dashboard is covered in soft-touch products. Since last year, there’s even more storage in the door panels than early versions– however this is absolutely a pack-light and leave-the-rest-at-home auto.
Evaluates that button among blue (normal), environment-friendly (reliable driving), and red (Sport mode) illuminate the inside. They’re also instructional: Motorists can be directed toward utilizing less fuel if they function to keep the displays as eco-friendly as possible. The CR-Z is little enough that you can consider it something like a computer game on wheels.
The CR-Z is presently the only economical, driver-focused hybrid on the market, though similar gas economy can be had with driver-focused, gas-powered models like the MINI Cooper, Hyundai Veloster, and the Fiat 500, all of which are four-seaters.
Powertrains, Efficiency and Safety
The front-wheel-drive 2014 Honda CR-Z is powered by a gasoline-electric hybrid system that companions a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an energy motor for a total outcome of 130 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque with the conventional six-speed manual transmission. The torque number goes down to 127 lb-ft with the optional continually variable transmission (CVT), which likewise has steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
A three-mode selector permits the vehicle driver to choose from Normal, Econ or Sport driving modes. Each readjusts criteria for gas-pedal sensitivity, guiding effort level, transmission shows (CVT), extra electrical motor assist (manual transmission) and air-conditioning usage. The Plus Sport System enables the driver to take pleasure in a boost in acceleration– offered the battery is more than FIFTY percent charged and the CR-Z is traversing 19 miles per hour. Pushing the “S+” button on the steering wheel suffices by enabling maximum power from the electric battery pack for 5 seconds. This attribute can be made use of in any one of the drive modes.
The EPA’s gas economic climate estimates are 34 mpg incorporated (31 mpg city/38 mpg road) with the manual transmission and 37 mpg combined (36 city/39 road) with the CVT.
The 2014 Honda CR-Z includes conventional security functions that feature anti-skid brakes, security and footing control, front seat side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags and energetic head restraints. A rearview video camera is included on Ex Lover models furnished with the navigation device.
In government collision tests, the CR-Z earned an in general rating of 4 stars (from a possible 5) along with four celebrities for frontal-impact security. It made just three from 5 stars in side-impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety provided the CR-Z its greatest score of “Good” in its moderate-overlap frontal-offset, side-impact and roofing system durability examinations. Its seat/head restraint layout was rated “Good” for whiplash security in back influences.
2014 Honda CR-Z Hybrid Price
The 2014 Honda CR-Z has a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of merely under $21,000. A fully filled CR-Z EX-SPOUSE with navigation and CVT sells for just under $25,000. The majority of 5-door small autos begin in the $17,000 range, while a comparably geared up Mini Cooper shares a comparable starting cost with the CR-Z. T.
