The Honda CR-Z of 2010-13 is a sporty little hybrid that still turns heads. Make that sporty-looking because the 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine and electric motor together muster just 122bhp.
Of course, this would be forgiven were the CR-Z an economy champ but the fact is that in Autocar’s hands it returned no more than 43mpg. But never mind. What the CR-Z lacks in outright pace and economy it makes up for with engaging handling characterised by strong grip and minimal body roll. Just don’t imagine you can let the whole family experience it: it’s a four-seat coupé but the rear cabin is a real squeeze.
The elephant in the room is the nickel-metal hydride battery and how long it has left. It may explain why so many CR-Zs have had multiple owners, keen to move on before the power light goes out. (A new battery costs £1000 plus fitting.)
In truth, hybrid battery exhaustion seems to be a rare thing, which is why we’ve put such concerns to one side in search of a promising CR-Z. We think we may have found it in this 2011/11- reg example with 82,000 miles and full Honda dealer history. Unusually for a CR-Z, it has had just two owners.
The first thing to check is that the battery warning light goes out after start-up. Then, on the test drive, we’ll ensure the three driver modes (Sport, Normal and Econ) work and the speedometer changes colour with our driving style. Back at base, we’ll check the battery charge level has gone up.
After that, it’s the usual stuff: checking the gearshift action, listening for suspension clonks and making sure the 12,500-mile service intervals have been followed.
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I love mine (just as well
Clarkey wrote:
Some people get them, others don't. I loved mine but only had it a short while as I used its value to do up my na mx5
Nothing to do with don't like
It's a 1.5 122 hp, a 8 year old Suzuki Swift + others manages to get that without a Turbo or heavy expensive battery+tech.
Wouldn't have one as it offers no real advantage but has major drawbacks
xxxx wrote:
Compare emmissions/tech, etc...indeed, you continually try and fail to compare the equivalent of apples to pears. What do you drive..am sure we would be delighted to hear where you have put your money/benefits.
Takeitslowly wrote:
You can bet it's better than your Micra. What do you drive? That was a regular question from the paedo known as FMS...
xxxx wrote:
Offers no real advantage? What's that got to do with buying a car, my na mx5 offers no real advantage over a warm hatch performance or economy wise, the crz is a great looking great to drive little coupe that is quick enough, especially mid range, and provides very good fuel economy. Again the point I was making was that the article makes big noise on a non issue, the battery is not known to fail, the things to worry about are the usual used car buying guide age related stuff, this article implies that the battery is likely to be dead or dying, that simply isn't true, as I have suggested this is proven by the much older civic ima with high mileage and perfectly intact batteries.
Again I understand your dislike, each to their own, but your criticism of the battery, based on this article is unfounded.
Hybrid buyers beware
" keen to move on before the power light goes out. (A new battery costs £1000 plus fitting.)" Going to be a re-occurring theme in future with Hybrids, and how much will the fitting charge be?
xxxx wrote:
Go and speak to hybrid specialists or Honda and ask how many ima's have had battery issues or replacement batteries, don't forget the civic hybrid was a late 90s car and it's hybrid is still going strong. Toyota's Prius is similarly long lived. Also I think the price quoted is for the last of the crz's battery which was a more powerful l-ion, the nimhs are more like £600 iirc
si73 wrote:
Don't need to speak to anyone about battery failure as the info is in the article. And whether the part is £1, 000 or £600 plus fitting it's a potential cost/pit fall you don't really want to have on 8 year old cheap, with average performance, run-a-round that isn't that great on petrol anyway
xxxx wrote:
Fair enough, I know you dislike them, your choice, the point I am making though is that the article is highlighting a non issue, it's of much less concern than all the emission tech on a modern diesel or the possible failure of a turbo on a modern down sized engine or any other issue with all other used cars.
xxxx wrote:
No need to worry about the cost of a battery, your novelty torch takes AAA size, one of the smallest...much like your brain.
Takeitslowly wrote:
AAA, isn't that the battery size your mother's 10" dildo takes? Why don't you go and take a look before she shoves up her arse again.