| 2011 Honda CR-Z vs 2000 Honda Insight | March 5, 2010 | AUTORIVALS.NET |
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| Honda is attempting to create a new
type of hybrid with it's upcoming, all-new CR-Z. Honda is
billing it as a modern reincarnation of the 1980s Honda CRX, but
not everyone is believing the hype. The original CRX was a
simple but fantastic little car. It was short on power but high
on fun and frugality. It's lightweight, compact chassis gave it
surprising handling ability while also providing fuel economy
that beats the majority of cars even today. Instead of a simple, lightweight successor to the CRX, the supposed successor, CR-Z, will be a hybrid that's based on the same platform as the four-door 2010 Honda Insight. Judgment on performance is yet to be made but some numbers are already in, a curb weight of about 2,700 pounds and 122 horsepower. Considering the 2010 Insight weighs 2,723 pounds with 98 horsepower and manages 0-60 in 10.6 seconds, things aren't looking good for CR-Z on the drag strip. That's not the biggest deal though considering the original CRX was never a drag strip king. But the CRX weighed less than 2,000 pounds which gave it nimble dynamics through curvy roads. It seems doubtful that the new CR-Z will be able to match the fun maneuverability of the CRX. If anything, the CR-Z seems more of a successor to the original Insight than any other past Honda models. Don't think so? Just have a look. The problem doesn't seem to be the actual car, but the name. CRX loyalists were expecting a lightweight, fun and frugal car but what they're getting is a relatively heavy hybrid based on the current, not so fun Insight. It seems if Honda decided to name the CR-Z the Insight coupe or something new, maybe it wouldn't be such a big deal. But who knows, maybe the CR-Z will be exactly what the hybrid segment needs. |
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| 2011 Honda CR-Z | vs | 2000 Honda Insight |
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| The CR-Z will come be a two-door, two-seat hatchback just like the original Insight. The sheet metal is more aggressive however, with sculpted fenders and doors that evoke more excitement than the previous Insight did. The Insight though, was more focused on aerodynamics and with a drag coefficient of 0.25, it's still more aerodynamic than most cars today. | ||
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| The CR-Z is styled as what Honda calls a "one-motion" wedge with a sloping hood that flows smoothly into the windshield. Honda slapped a huge grille on the face which seems more appropriate for Mazdas than Hondas. | ||
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| The CR-Z is a little oddly proportioned with an extremely short rear overhang and long front overhang. Aside from that, the side profile is quite eye-catching, especially for a hybrid. The window silhouette is edgier and sportier-looking with an upswept C-pillar. | ||
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| Resemblance to the Insight is more apparent in the rear with triangular-shaped taillights and the typical liftgate window that's seen on most hybrid hatchbacks. Aside from the liftgate window, there seems to be no styling cues taken from the original CRX (see notes below). | ||
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| The CR-Z gets a driver-oriented interior which helps its case as a being a "sporty" hybrid. However, the Insight's interior was also driver-oriented although not quite as much as the CR-Z. The big news is that the CR-Z will come with a six-speed manual transmission although a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) will be available. Three driving modes, Sport, Economy, and Normal, are selectable that change engine responsiveness, steering effort, and also what color the tachometer changes to (red for Sport, blue and green for Economy and Normal). Expect the usual standard features such as a six speaker audio system, automatic climate control, etc. Stepping up to the EX trim gets you HID headlights, a 360-Watt stereo with seven speakers, Bluetooth, and optional navigation. | ||
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PROS +Eye-catching side profile CONS -Anteater grille -2,700 lbs + 122 hp = slow -Nothing in common with the original CRX |
PROS +More aerodynamic than most cars today +Up to 61 mpg +Weighs under 2,000 lbs CONS -Rear wheel cover -0 to 60 in over 10 seconds |
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| Video Source: Car and Driver via YouTube |
| 2011 Honda CR-Z | vs | 1988 Honda CRX |
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