Test drove the CR-Z today

Hi Paul,

The first stop in town, yesterday, for errands, there was a CR-Z parked right there. It is a very nice looking car. This one had US Army plates, and stickers.

On the aero front, it has large deflectors in front of the wheels, that extend forward from the wheels and inward, so that only 1/3 of the underbody has a gap between these two deflectors. The Prius only has these deflectors imediately in front of the wheels.

The undebody looks to be trimmed out very flat, as well.

On a sad note, this car already had a dent in its right rear quarter panel, that looked to be made by the corner of a SUV door.

 

I'll admit I'm guilty of leaving carts out in the parking lot but not like that. I usually put it against the cement block (what's it called...the little block in front of you when you park...blanking out here) or have the front part put into the plant box area or whatever...anything to keep it from rolling around freely

 

The Honda Insight gets over 60 mpg in ECO mode. Not as much rear head room, but much better gas mileage. I own a Prius, but I sell both Prius's and Insights.

 

I'm like you. I will go to Wal-Mart, etc, in my Prius but I park so far out that nobody else wants to park next to me, and there are usually no baskets around in that area. I also do the same at work. I feel the extra walking is not only good for me, but will save me headaches of dealing with dents in the car later. My wife gets absolutely infuriated that I refuse to part my car in the closest available spot. In fact, sometimes I'll try to "compromise" with her if I'm driving. So lets say the first closest spot is 15 spaces from the front door, but there are no other cars beyond that point, I'll park in space 17 or 18. It only takes a few extra seconds to walk the difference, but she'll just totally throw a fit. Where normally, if I was by myself, I'd park in space number 40 or 50.

This will be getting even worse because now that I've converted my car to a plug-in and I plan to sell and install plug-in kits, I've decided to get my car made up with some really cool looking vinyl decals. (stay tuned for pictures) This should be done next week. So at that point, the car will need to stay constantly washed, and will definitely never be parked where it risks getting dented.

To say nothing of March, when my Nissan Leaf is expected to arrive.. You can be sure I'll be babying that one.

 

Drove the CR-Z. Two main problems:

1. SLOW. Definitely feels slower than G3 Prius.

2. Impractical. Worse MPG than Prius and interior space is comparable to a thimble.

 

I drove an Insight II and a Prius over an identical 30 miles test run (up hills/down hills highway and rural) before deciding which to buy. The Prius got 66 mpg the Insight 54. Went for the Prius.

 

Hi Ted:
What was the difference in price between the two auto's Ted? Just curious! Hal

 

Until today, I didn't even know CRZ's CAME in hybrid versions.

But . . . . heading home in the Leaf . . . BOOM . . . . there it was, right in front of me. Took a double take, looking at it from the rear. "What IS that thing .... Gen I insight? ... an EV1 ??" Then I saw the letters on the back telling me what it was:

I haven't read up yet, to see what the EPA claims it gets mpg wise ... and I'm hoping it's mpg is real good, since the thing looked small next to the Leaf.

 

It's disappointing. :/ Per http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm :
manual: 31 city/37 highway, 34 combined
CVT: 35 city/39 highway, 37 combined

 

Paul, Can you be more specific regarding a "fun car to drive". Did you find the steering, braking and ride more stable? Perhaps a firmer ride?

My family has a history with Honda dating back to my first in 1979. Probably the most memorable was the '81 Civic that was retired at 250,000 miles because of rust, although the head had never been off and the original clutch was fine.

We are considering our first hybrid, thus my interest. Thanks

 

Yep. The mileage figures wouldn't be so bad if it actually had more power (a wimpy 122 hp combined) and acceleration. The much larger 5 seater 2011 NAH is 198 hp combined and on Side-by-Side Comparison is rated 33/33, 33 combined (35 city/33 highway, 34 combined for the 07).

When CR last tested the NAH, they did 0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds vs. 9.3 on the CR-Z.

 

Personally, the Accord Two mode PHEV is the one I'm looking forward to.

 

37 - 43 ... wow that's a bummer. Maybe it's time to dust off the Gen I insight.

 

Just drive the car and you will get to know that how smooth is the car is

 

I heard from an actual driver that handling is great. That hwy efficiency is 36-37 mpg and that street is 44+ mpg.

I think this car is very interesting. I'm not quick to dismiss it. For one thing, it just looks cool. And I think there's a niche market for a sportscar hybrid. A Prius is more practical--it has four doors and plenty of space. But if I was still driving sportier cars, would I get a Mustang or a CR-Z? I think they would both be on the table, and if I'm about saving gas money, maybe I'd go CR-Z. I'd love to testdrive the CR-Z just for the heck of it.

When is Prius coming out with a sports car?

 

The main problem with the CR-Z is the weight, coming in at about the same as the 4 door 5 passenger Insight! Shave off a few hundred pounds and you improve both FE and performance! Come on Honda, look into that new fangled aluminum stuff!