Honda's CR-Z hybrid falls short on its promise

The 2011 Honda CR-Z hybrid aims to deliver exciting performance and high fuel economy but falls short on both counts.

The futuristic-looking little two-seater can't match the fuel efficiency of bigger and more practical hybrids like the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic and Insight, and its acceleration is unexceptional.

In addition to its eye-catching design, the CR-Z offers a roomy and comfortable interior trimmed with good materials. The attractive instrument panel features crystal-clear three-dimensional gauges and simple, logical controls.

Honda was once an extremely ingenious automaker, but each of its recent hybrid cars is less impressive than the one that came before.

Granted, Honda set a high standard for itself. It introduced the first hybrid gasoline-electric car to America with the two-seat Insight hatchback in 1999.

The revolutionary Insight would score 49 mpg in the city, 61 mpg on the highway and 53 mpg in combined driving on the current EPA fuel economy test. The light and lively Insight was also fun to drive.

By contrast, Honda's latest hybrid, the 2011 CR-Z two-seat hatchback, rates a paltry 31 mpg city/37 mpg highway/34 mpg combined in EPA testing.

If comparing the CR-Z to a smaller, lighter 11-year-old car seems unfair, the futuristic-looking CR-Z also falls well short of the fuel economy of Honda's other 2011 hybrids. The larger and heavier Civic and Insight five-passenger hybrids rated 40/45/42 and 40/43/41 mpg in EPA tests.

Honda justifies this by saying the new model is a sporty hybrid. Unfortunately, the car's sporting credentials suffer from the weight of its hybrid power system. At 2,707 pounds, the CR-Z EX tested weighed almost exactly as much as Honda's bigger, more powerful Civic EX coupe.

Prices for the 2011 Honda CR-Z start at $19,200 for a model with a six-speed manual transmission. I tested a well-equipped CR-Z EX with a navigation system and manual transmission that stickered at $22,560. All prices exclude destination charges.

CR-Z's acceleration is acceptable but far from exciting. The car gets a mild kick in the pants from a sport mode that increases the aggressiveness with which the electric motor augments the engine.

The car also has normal and economy settings. I noticed no real performance difference between the two. The engine drones at high rpm. Road noise becomes bothersome at highway speed.

The CR-Z's handling is responsive and enjoyable. The car tracks flat and stable through quick curves.

The steering is numb, however. It's light at low speeds and heavier on the highway, but there's little feel and feedback through the wheel.

The interior and exterior showcase an attractive and modern new design, although the low-drag shape creates large blind spots.

Two deep bins in place of rear seats provide plenty of storage. They're out of reach when the car is in motion, however. At 25 cubic feet, luggage space is good.

2011 HONDACR-Z

-- Vehicle type: Front-wheel drive two-passenger hatchback hybrid.
-- As tested: $22,560, excluding destination charges.
-- Safety equipment: Antilock brakes; stability control; brake assist; electronic brake distribution; seat-mounted side air bags; curtain air bags; active head restraints; daytime running lights.
-- Powertrain: 1.5-liter SOHC 16-valve four-cylinder, 10 kW motor and 100-volt nickel-metal hydride battery.
-- Horsepower: Combined output 122 horsepower at 6,000 r.p.m.
--Transmission: Six-speed manual.
-- EPA fuel economy rating: 31 mpg city / 37 highway / 34 combined.
-- Wheelbase: 95.9 inches.
-- Length: 160.6 inches.
-- Width: 68.5 inches.
-- Height: 54.9 inches.
-- Curb weight: 2,707 pounds.
-- Where assembled: Suzuka, Japan.
-- Bottom Line: Fails to deliver the sporty character Honda promises or the high fuel efficiency most hybrid buyers expect.