137 sport

Nice car, but could be so much better

The CR-Z is an odd car. Sporty to look at, but poor steering and ill judged suspension stop it being as much fun as it should be. The steering is very light and has no real feel other than straight ahead. Press the sport button and the weighting increases and is a bit better (but still no more feel) but this also engages a more aggressive throttle map. You cant have one without the other. The suspension is too hard, and combined with a seat that is hard to get into a comfy position also detracts from the car on a day to day basis. Other'issues' are compulsory privacy glass (nasty) and a hill hold that is quite slow to disengage sometimes (and cant be switched off). There is also no spare wheel, or space for one.

And yet, the drive train is superb. quiet, powerful when you want, and very economical. Why all other hybrids are automatics when this works so well is hard to understand. In general local use mid 40s is easy, a motorway run or 2 will get that tanks economy well over 50. Build quality feels superb. The dash layout is brilliant, and the stereo is OK too, although DAB would be better still. (I use a pocket dab connected through the aux port which works very well)

The CR-Z is no longer on sale here, and could have been so much better with a few changes, so hopefully Honda will put a bit more effort in with the next one. If you are tempted, take a long test drive and make sure it comfy enough for you, and dont expect a sports car!

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