Is The CR-Z Going To Become Honda's Aztek?

Is The CR-Z Going To Become Honda's Aztek?
Although it must have seemed like a good idea at the time—to somebody—the Honda CR-Z is already shaping up to be the Pontiac Aztek of the hybrid world: Everything about the car seems to have been designed by committee to meet the needs of a different segment of the marketplace, with the result being that it’s making no one happy.

That includes the folks at Consumer Reports. They recently put the CR-Z into a mini comparo with three other newish/greenish vehicles, including the VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI, MAZDA2 and Ford Fiesta. And Rik Paul, automotive editor for CR, sang a familiar refrain: “The CR-Z tries to be the sporty hybrid and it’s not outstanding in either category. It’s not fun to drive and the fuel economy is not what you’d expect from a hybrid.”


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montyz81montyz81 - 12/9/2010 2:46:44 PM
-7 Boost
No, it is going to be Honda's Juke... err I mean Joke.


speed123speed123 - 12/9/2010 3:50:27 PM
-5 Boost
Yes. It looks weird and out of place, like a slower 1 series.


TopGearTopGear - 12/9/2010 4:03:05 PM
+6 Boost
To me, CR-Z has the best Honda design for recent years. It needs to add more horsepower and rear seats. Don't compare it to Aztek - Ewww.


DallasTheoDallasTheo - 12/9/2010 6:18:38 PM
0 Boost
MEMO TO HONDAY (and all car companies): When you introduce a new model that gets nearly universal disdain, throw your corporate pride out the window and kill it quit. Insight and CR-Z ain't getting no respect and for good reason. You're fast loosing your [Honda] way. Don't be a GM or even a Toyota (now.) Go back to your roots when you did most everything right the first time.


acronisacronis - 12/9/2010 8:20:38 PM
-2 Boost
Honda is a car company that builds reliable cars but no longer cares about designing cars.

As long as they have their large, loyal, aging customer base to rely on nothing will change.


RNeekChicRNeekChic - 12/9/2010 9:32:21 PM
+5 Boost
For the record. The CRZ did win Japan car of the year and it's selling well in Japan. So it's just in Yankee land that might have a different opinion about this car.


makkystylemakkystyle - 12/10/2010 1:28:45 AM
+4 Boost
I actually think it is a brilliant ploy to try and make hybrid cars as cool as owners believe they are. As for design it's a beautiful execution. I just got rid of my 07 Civic Si this past summer and this felt like a very updated version of that car with more more luxury. The car is constructed better than my wife's Mercedes. It's biggest problem is that it is severely underpowered for the type of driving we do here in the US and because it has no back seat it is for a very small demographic. As a car though it really is fantastic, go sit in one (just don't drive it).


quizzquizz - 12/10/2010 8:55:31 AM
+1 Boost
not if it can hit 0-60 in under 6.5 seconds while maintaining MPG of 35+


upwardsupwards - 12/11/2010 8:05:08 AM
+2 Boost
0 to 60 = 9.7


internationalmanofmysteryinternationalmanofmystery - 12/10/2010 11:55:55 AM
0 Boost
"...CR-Z has the best Honda design for recent years"

I concur


thstonethstone - 12/10/2010 12:55:59 PM
+4 Boost
There is nothing brilliant about the CR-Z. Sure, its better looking than most Hondas (and every Acura) but that is about all you can say. Other than that, its going nothing going for it.

The real market for this car will be the rice tuner crowd. Put in a decent 4-cyl gas engine and they'll sell like hot cakes.




WarrenGroveWarrenGrove - 12/10/2010 1:03:54 PM
-3 Boost
You are crazy if you don't think the CR-Z is stylish. I have been driving cars for 40 years - and I have *never* seen such a reaction to driving a car. People come over to it in parking lots, fellow drivers give me a "thumbs up", and pedestrians sprain their necks turning around to follow it down the road. Not sure where the hate is coming from! Add to this my 40mpg result, and I could not be happier!


upwardsupwards - 12/11/2010 8:06:19 AM
0 Boost
some how i doubt that.


WarrenGroveWarrenGrove - 12/17/2010 9:43:06 AM
+1 Boost
To: upwards

You are right, now that the weather is cooler, my average mpg is down to 39. As to all of my other statements - they are 100% true. Try visiting a CR-Z forum to see other positive reactions. Not sure why you doubt what I say!


u080570u080570 - 12/10/2010 1:03:58 PM
+4 Boost
Its fugly and underpowered......it makes the CrossTour look good...


5spdE305spdE30 - 12/10/2010 10:13:47 PM
+3 Boost
Finally somebody has been able to combine the slow acceleration of a prius with the fuel economy of a regular family sedan all in a package the size of a 5th gen civic hatchback, yet 600 pounds heavier, lacking back seats and having blind spots big enough to hide a bus. Plus you have the added benefit of an expensive to repair hybrid system and extra numb electric steering so that road feel wont distract you from your driving.

Keep up the good work Honda!


upwardsupwards - 12/11/2010 8:08:14 AM
+2 Boost
a car this size should have been a diesel and it would have been faster and with at least a 15% increase in fuel economy.


iamdabest1iamdabest1 - 12/12/2010 4:33:50 PM
0 Boost
i actually like this car, i think it looks cool and fun on the road, 0-60 dont mean much to people who are buying this car.
just ask yourself a question, if you were a kid in college, would you want this car ? at 18, i know i would.
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