Honda CR-Z — Specs, Trims, Prices & Owner Reviews
The Honda CR-Z is a two-seat sport-hybrid hatchback coupe that Honda sold in the United States from the 2011 through 2016 model years. Honda pitched it as a spiritual successor to the 1980s CR-X, and it remains an oddity in hybrid history: the only petrol-electric car of its era that could be ordered with a six-speed manual gearbox. A three-mode drive selector — Econ, Normal and Sport — changes throttle mapping, steering weight and the aggressiveness of the electric assist at the press of a button.
Model years 2015–2016 · Independent buyer data
Fuel economy: 31/38 mpg (6MT) · 36/39 mpg (CVT)
Honda CR-Z: General Information
The Honda CR-Z is a two-seat sport-hybrid hatchback coupe that Honda sold in the United States from the 2011 through 2016 model years. Honda pitched it as a spiritual successor to the 1980s CR-X, and it remains an oddity in hybrid history: the only petrol-electric car of its era that could be ordered with a six-speed manual gearbox. A three-mode drive selector — Econ, Normal and Sport — changes throttle mapping, steering weight and the aggressiveness of the electric assist at the press of a button.
Power comes from a 1.5-litre SOHC i-VTEC four (Honda's LEA engine) working with the Integrated Motor Assist system, in which a thin electric motor sits between the engine and the gearbox. For 2013 Honda switched from a nickel-metal-hydride pack to a 144-volt lithium-ion battery and fitted a stronger motor, raising combined output to 130 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque with the manual (127 lb-ft with the CVT) and adding the Plus Sport S+ button, which dumps extra battery assist for up to five seconds.
In North America the CR-Z was sold strictly as a two-seater — the rear bench offered in Japan and Europe was never certified here — with 25.1 cubic feet of cargo space under the glass hatch. NHTSA rated it four stars overall. Honda ended CR-Z production at the end of 2016 and announced the car's North American withdrawal in June of that year, making way for the Accord Hybrid and Clarity.
Honda CR-Z by model year
2015 Honda CR-Z
2015 Honda CR-Z Base
The base 2015 CR-Z carries the full sport-hybrid drivetrain — 1.5-litre i-VTEC four plus IMA motor, 130 hp and 140 lb-ft with the six-speed manual — along with 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, Bluetooth, a rearview camera and the three-mode drive system. Nothing changed for 2015; MotorTrend simply noted the car was 'unchanged'. It starts at $20,145 with the manual gearbox.
2015 Honda CR-Z EX
The EX adds a seven-speaker 360-watt audio system, HD Radio, fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters on CVT cars, keyless entry and heated door mirrors. The powertrain is identical to the base car. It lists at $21,990 with the six-speed manual.
2015 Honda CR-Z EX with Navigation
The range-topping 2015 CR-Z is an EX with Honda's factory satellite navigation and voice recognition, a $1,500 step up. It is the last year for this trim name — for 2016 the navigation model was relabelled EX-L with Navigation and gained leather. Pricing starts at $23,490 with the manual.
2016 Honda CR-Z
2016 Honda CR-Z Base
2016 is the CR-Z's final U.S. model year and it goes out with a light refresh: revised front and rear bumpers, new wheel designs, a mildly reworked interior and a new colour palette (Aegean Blue Metallic, Jet Black and Ivory Pearl replace North Shore Blue, Crystal Black and Premium White). Wikipedia records the entry grade being relabelled LX at the refresh, though Honda's own 2016 price list still calls it simply CR-Z. The drivetrain is untouched at 130 hp and 140 lb-ft with the manual, and prices open at $20,295.
2016 Honda CR-Z EX
The 2016 EX keeps its 360-watt seven-speaker audio, HD Radio, fog lights, heated door mirrors and leather-wrapped steering wheel, and picks up the refresh's revised bumpers plus orange secondary interior trim in place of the previous red. Prices rose $150 to $22,140 with the six-speed manual.
2016 Honda CR-Z EX-L with Navigation
New for 2016, the EX-L with Navigation replaces the old EX with Navigation at the top of the range and adds leather-trimmed seating to the factory satellite-navigation package. It arrived and departed in the same model year, since Honda withdrew the CR-Z from North America after 2016. Pricing starts at $24,440 with the manual and $25,090 with the CVT.
Honda CR-Z trim levels
| Trim | MSRP | Engine | Power | Drive | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | $20,145 | 1.5L SOHC i-VTEC I4 + IMA hybrid | 130 hp / 140 lb-ft (6MT) · 130 hp / 127 lb-ft (CVT) | FWD | 31 / 38 mpg |
| EX | $21,990 | 1.5L SOHC i-VTEC I4 + IMA hybrid | 130 hp / 140 lb-ft (6MT) · 130 hp / 127 lb-ft (CVT) | FWD | 31 / 38 mpg |
| EX with Navigation | $23,490 | 1.5L SOHC i-VTEC I4 + IMA hybrid | 130 hp / 140 lb-ft (6MT) · 130 hp / 127 lb-ft (CVT) | FWD | 31 / 38 mpg |
| Base | $20,295 | 1.5L SOHC i-VTEC I4 + IMA hybrid | 130 hp / 140 lb-ft (6MT) · 130 hp / 127 lb-ft (CVT) | FWD | 31 / 38 mpg |
| EX | $22,140 | 1.5L SOHC i-VTEC I4 + IMA hybrid | 130 hp / 140 lb-ft (6MT) · 130 hp / 127 lb-ft (CVT) | FWD | 31 / 38 mpg |
| EX-L with Navigation | $24,440 | 1.5L SOHC i-VTEC I4 + IMA hybrid | 130 hp / 140 lb-ft (6MT) · 130 hp / 127 lb-ft (CVT) | FWD | 31 / 38 mpg |
Specifications (2016)
| Engine | 1.5L |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Hybrid |
| Power | 130 hp |
| Transmission | CVT |
| Drivetrain | FWD |
| Seats | 2 |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does the Honda CR-Z cost?
The Honda CR-Z has a typical price range of $20,295 - $25,090, spanning 6 trim levels. Actual prices vary by year, mileage and local market conditions.
What fuel economy does the Honda CR-Z get?
The Honda CR-Z achieves 31 / 38 mpg. Real-world figures depend on trim, drivetrain and driving style.
Is the Honda CR-Z reliable?
Owner-reported reliability is rated 8.0 / 10 (est.). Recall history: 0 NHTSA recall campaigns (2016 model year).
What years of the Honda CR-Z are available to compare?
Cars4Real covers Honda CR-Z model years 2015–2016. You can compare every year and trim side by side with live market prices and real owner reviews.