Honda · 2010–2016

Honda CR-Z

The Honda CR-Z is a sport compact hybrid electric vehicle manufactured by Honda and marketed as a "sport hybrid coupe." It combines a gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain with features typical of a sports car, including a standard six-speed manual transmission and a 2+2 seating layout (except in North America, where it was offered only as a two-seater). The CR-Z was seen as a spiritual successor to the second-generation Honda CR-X, sharing similarities in name and exterior design. In the United States, the CR-Z was classified as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle by the California Air Resources Board. It was the third Honda hybrid available with a manual transmission, following the Insight and Civic Hybrid, and the only one in its class to offer this option. The CR-Z used the sixth generation of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) technology, first introduced with the original Insight. Sales began in Japan in February 2010, followed by the United States in August 2010. Production of the CR-Z ended at the end of 2016, to make room for the Accord Hybrid and Clarity.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Honda CR-X

All Honda CR-Z data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

History

The design and production of the CR-Z followed two other Honda hybrid concept cars: the Honda Remix, introduced at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show, and the Honda Small Hybrid Sports, introduced at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show. The Honda CR-Z was introduced as a concept vehicle on October 23, 2007, at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. Honda said the name "CR-Z" stood for "Compact Renaissance Zero" — reflecting the idea of a renaissance in the design of compact cars. At the show, CEO Fukui stated that a production model is "in the works" and that the car was intended to be "sporty, incredibly efficient and inexpensive". The "CR-Z" name was previously used as a grade level in 1985 and 1986 as the Honda Ballade CR-Z, which was sold alongside the original Ballade Sports CR-X in Japan. The CR-Z was first shown in America at the 2008 Detroit North American International Auto Show. At the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, Honda displayed a revised "CR-Z Concept 2009". The 2009 concept of the CR-Z had a very similar design to the production model. In January 2010, Honda introduced the production CR-Z at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. At its introduction in 2010, it won the Car of the Year Japan Award. Refresh. In 2016, the Honda CR-Z received a minor refresh. It received a change to the front and rear bumper, as well as a slightly revised interior. It also gained the EX-L trim from the refresh with a small increase in price. The base trim was renamed as LX and priced starting at $20,295 with a manual transmission, and $20,945 with a continuously variable transmission or CVT. The EX trim increased to $22,140 with a manual transmission, and $22,790 with a CVT. The new EX-L trim started at $24,440 with a manual transmission, and $25,090 with a CVT. The refresh changed a few

Safety

CR-Z models has received an average rating for side crash safety, an excellent (5 out of 5 stars) rating for rollover, and a 4 out of 5 star rating for frontal crash safety for 2012 and newer models. The 2011 model has an average frontal crash safety rating (3 out of 5 stars). Dual front airbags, side airbags and head-protecting side curtains are standard equipment. Antilock brakes (ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD).

Development

The project leader, Norio Tomobe, worked previously as chief engineer on Honda's Mobilio Spike and Elysion. The basic concept of the CR-Z was to create a fun-to-drive sports car with driving characteristics of a Honda. Chief chassis engineer Terukazu Torikai explained in a video that during the development process “this car was brought to Europe at each prototype stage to be tested under various road conditions to evaluate whether the desired performance had been achieved.”

Powertrain

The CR-Z is powered by a 1.5 L (1,497 cc; 91.4 cu in) i-VTEC SOHC 16-valve straight-four engine, designated LEA, with Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid-electric system. A six-speed manual transmission is standard equipment and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is available. The system delivers a combined peak output of 121 bhp (90 kW; 123 PS) at 6000 rpm and 128 lb⋅ft (174 N⋅m) at 1000 to 1500 rpm (123 lb⋅ft (167 N⋅m) on CVT-equipped models). The gasoline engine contributes 111 bhp (83 kW; 113 PS) at 6000 rpm and 106 lb⋅ft (144 N⋅m) at 4800 rpm for the CVT version; the electric motor produces 10 kW (13 hp; 14 PS) at 1,500 rpm and 79 N⋅m (58 lb⋅ft) at 1,000 rpm On November 21, 2012, Honda released the 2013 CR-Z to the United States market, which other than minor cosmetic changes, included a more powerful electric motor (up from 10 to 15 kW [13 to 20 hp; 14 to 20 PS]), and a new, higher voltage (144V), 0.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The 2013 CR-Z delivers a combined peak output of 130 hp (97 kW; 132 PS) at 6,000 rpm and 140 lb⋅ft (190 N⋅m) of torque (127 lb⋅ft [172 N⋅m] on CVT-equipped models), a gain of 8 hp (8 PS; 6 kW) and 12 lb⋅ft (16 N⋅m) of torque (4 lb⋅ft (5 N⋅m) on CVT equipped models). A new Plus Sport System was now standard. If the battery is more than 30 percent charged and the CR-Z is traveling over 18 mph (29 km/h), the driver can press the "S+" button on the steering wheel to deliver increased acceleration for up to five seconds. Manual-transmission versions also receive both a larger clutch and a new lower final drive ratio. EPA-rated fuel economy figures increased by 1 mpg city for CVT equipped models, and 1 mpg highway for those with the six-speed manual transmission. An early road test of a Japanese-market CR-Z resulted in 0–100 k

Fuel economy

Japanese fuel economy ratings are 4.0 litres per 100 kilometres (59 mpg‑US) for CVT and 4.4 litres per 100 kilometres (53 mpg‑US) for MT in 10•15 mode; and 4.4 litres per 100 kilometres (53 mpg‑US) for CVT and 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres (48 mpg‑US) for MT in JC08 mode. The 2011 CR-Z U.S. EPA ratings are 31 miles per US gallon (7.6 L/100 km; 37 mpg‑imp) for city and 37 miles per US gallon (6.4 L/100 km; 44 mpg‑imp) for highway with manual transmission. The model with CVT transmission has a rating of 35 miles per US gallon (6.7 L/100 km; 42 mpg‑imp) for city driving cycle and 39 miles per US gallon (6.0 L/100 km; 47 mpg‑imp) for highway. Beyond U.S. EPA estimates, among drivers reporting real-world fuel economy the CR-Z averages nearly 39 mpg overall. When comparing fuel economy to the CR-Z's older cousin, according to fueleconomy.gov, the 1988 gasoline-powered Honda CR-X HF had an EPA rating of 41 miles per US gallon (5.7 L/100 km; 49 mpg‑imp) city driving, and 49 miles per US gallon (4.8 L/100 km; 59 mpg‑imp) highway driving. The CR-Z is ranked number four on 2011 EPA top ten list of fuel efficient vehicles for CVT equipped model and number ten for manual-transmission-equipped model.

Price and sales

=== Japan === Sales of the CR-Z began in Japan on August 24, 2010 at a starting price of ¥2.3 million (~US$25,340) before any government subsidies. Honda announced that in less than one month it had received orders for more than 10,000 vehicles, far exceeding its sales forecast. As of the end of August 2010, more than 19,000 CR-Z were delivered and sales orders received are three times higher than expected, which led to Japanese media comparing its success with the NSX in the 1990s, another sports car from Honda. In an interview in early February 2011, a Honda executive disclosed that Honda produces around 200,000 hybrids a year in Japan. North America. Sales in North America started on February 26, 2010. The 2011 CR-Z was offered in three trim levels: base, EX, and EX with Navigation. The base CR-Z started at US$19,950, the CR-Z EX at US$21,510 and the EX with navigation trim was priced at US$23,310. The CR-Z pricing was similar to the now discontinued Honda Insight and had a lower price than the market leader Toyota Prius. After its launch in late August 2010, there were 3,349 Honda CR-Z sold as of end of October 2010. It ranked as the fourth most sold hybrid in the U.S. for September and October of that year. U.S. sales for year 2010 reached 5,249 units, and ranked 11th in hybrid sales for that year. For year 2011 cumulative sales of the CR-Z in the U.S. reached 9,635 units through August, ranking number four in hybrid sales in 2011 and outsold only by the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Honda Insight, and Toyota Prius. In addition to commercials airing during sporting events, Honda held a marketing competition available to universities throughout the United States. This competition allowed students to create public relations and social media campaigns for the vehicle. A team

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Honda CR-Z (ZF1/ZF2)

Manufacturer

Honda

Production

2010–2016

Model years

2011–2016

Assembly

Japan: Suzuka, Mie

Designer

Norio Tomobe

Class

Sport compact car

Body style

3-door liftback

Layout

Front-engine, front-wheel-drive

Related

Honda Insight, Honda Fit Hybrid

Engine

Gasoline Hybrid, 1,497cc (1.5 L) LEA SOHC i-VTEC I4

Transmission

CVT, 6-speed manual

Wheelbase

2435 mm

Length

4080 mm

Width

1740 mm

Height

1395 mm

Kerb weight

1211-1236 kg

Predecessor

Honda Insight (first generation)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1421529CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_CR-ZCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1364444344 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2014_Honda_CR-Z_Sport-T_i-VTEC_1.5_Front.jpgCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Vauxford · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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