Saw the CR-Z this weekend.

adric22 · 03-08-2010, 09:54 AM

I went to the Dallas Auto Show this weekend because I heard there was a Chevy Volt there. But to my surprised I also saw a Honda CR-Z. Here's a picture of me in front of the CR-Z:

Flickr Photo Download: honda cr-z

Unfortunately, they had the car on one of those rotating platforms and you couldn't actually get close enough to have a look inside or anything. the same problem with the Chevy volt. So pretty much got to see the outside and that was it.

You know, I wonder something about that CR-Z. The fuel economy ratings they are talking about don't sound too great. But since they've switched over to summer-blend gasoline around here, my 2010 Insight has been getting around 50 mpg again (in the city) far more than the EPA estimates. I see a lot of people saying that besides me. I wonder if the CR-Z won't really get somewhere in the 40's. The EPA seems to be hard on Honda's IMA when it comes to their estimates.

Cobb · 03-08-2010, 11:16 AM

I think the big part is technique. We see people here getting anywhere from 32 to 79 with the same car. I wouldnt mind more zip when needed. Even if you use the sport mode to merge and shift back to eco mode, you should still beat the epa.

Wow, look at that ground clearance. Lowering it should help with some mpg as well as a partial grill block. Did it have the large lower grill opening?

adric22 · 03-08-2010, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobb

I think the big part is technique. We see people here getting anywhere from 32 to 79 with the same car.

That's true.. But my wife drives the 2010 Insight most of the time and she is a lead-foot and drives very aggressively. Despite that, she is still getting 48 mpg. I'm sure if I drove the car everyday, it would get a lot more. So I still feel like the EPA is not measuring the Honda hybrids correctly.

Car54 · 03-08-2010, 05:01 PM

Out of state on business, not able to go to the show. Thanks for the picture, the close up gives a much better view. My mpg has improved much, with the warmer weather. G

Cobb · 03-09-2010, 12:42 AM

Wonder if the epa even uses the hybrid system or do they test with it turned off? It seems you need a few miles to get the mpg to go up.

I am going to attend the motortrend show this weekend in RIchmond, VA. I dont see it on the Honda list of vehicles.

Liberalguy · 03-09-2010, 01:05 AM

adric22, thanks for the pic and post! I think if you look closely, you'll see my name on it

The natural picture gives a better sense of what it really looks like, and I like what I see. I can't wait to drive one as I'm hoping the car is fun and zippy while still delivering significantly better mileage than other small fun cars.

I'm rather surprised how little Honda is marketing the CR-Z. Every where I turn, I see ads and promotions for the coming Ford Fiesta. Part of Ford's campaign was to give a couple hundred Fiestas to people around the country to drive around and blog about their experiences. Why doesn't Honda do something like that for the CRZ?

For that matter, I wonder how the CRZ will compare to the Fiesta and Mazda 2? They all measure about 155-160" in length and claim to be sporty and fun but get good mileage. The Fiesta estimated is 30 city and 40 highway. If the CRZ gets similar mileage, it better provide a lot more acceleration to compensate for it being hybrid/more costly. How much will the CRZ cost???

Of course, I'll only consider trading in for the CRZ if it has black/dark interior, leather steering wheel, manual transmission and Navigation!

numbness4sound · 03-09-2010, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liberalguy

I'm rather surprised how little Honda is marketing the CR-Z. Every where I turn, I see ads and promotions for the coming Ford Fiesta. Part of Ford's campaign was to give a couple hundred Fiestas to people around the country to drive around and blog about their experiences. Why doesn't Honda do something like that for the CRZ?

Yeah, I actually got a mailer about the Fiesta a couple weeks ago. It's pretty nice looking. I think I'd choose a Fit over a Fiesta though.

Liberalguy · 03-09-2010, 12:42 PM

The Fiesta and 2 look just a bit too small for me, and neither looks like it will sell built-in Navigation (the Fiesta's Sync uses a verbal navigation, but I need the visual screen). The Fit has some awesome space features - I love how the rear seats fold flat to the floor! But you can't get Fit sport with manual transmission and navigation

Of course, I'll test drive to see what they're like to drive, most important feature

Erik · 03-11-2010, 01:16 AM

I just got back from the Calgary Auto Show but no CR-Z to be found there.
Wish I could get a refund. The Honda rep there had not even heard of the CR-Z, he asked meif it was the one man car. /boggle

They Did have the Fiesta though, it looks like a nice little car but I would still go for a Fit over it. Were I buying such a vehicle.

The Audi clean TDI was about the only other car there that sort of caught my eye. Well aside from the $340k Bentley.

They still had the Miev sitting up on a stage just like last years show, and no info about
an electric plug in Smart. Wasn't this the year for that?

nursemike · 03-12-2010, 10:48 AM

The EPA evaluated the I2 without using the ECO mode, hence part of the reason why the mileage rating is lower. Part of this could be the fact that the ECO mode is not the default driving mode for the vehicle rather an "optional" mode. I asked my salesman why Honda did not configure the car to get the maximum benefit from the ECO system in government testing, and he really didn't have an answer for me. All I know is that I got over 50mpg with the demo on a mixed test drive on a car with less than 200 miles on it, far better than the sticker.