Forget the Critics, buy a Honda CR-Z.

I have owned my 2014 Honda CR-Z for 8 years now, it has 130k miles and runs just like the day I bought it. Mine has the newer lithium ion battery and the CVT transmission. Mine is also white, which i firmly believe is the best color on these cars. I have had zero trouble out of the car, except that now my passenger door handle is starting to fail, common issue as you've shown. Some people seem to exaggerate the fuel economy of these vehicles saying they get 50+ mpg. They are full of it, we live in a day and age where you can get on fuelly and see real world MPG and I can tell you from 8 years of ownership this car gets about 38mpg in "normal" mode and 40-42.5 mpg in eco mode if you baby it. The car is quite slow in eco mode though and eco mode puts more strain on your battery so I typically use normal mode. each "mode" also adjusts the responsiveness of the steering wheel. Normal mode is extremely responsive, sport mode even more so, and eco mode a little more relaxed. I do wish I could have the tight steering of sport mode without the engine behaving like "sport mode". Sport mode might be better in the Manual, but in the CVT it just makes your RPM's increase. I rarely use it. I love the storage capacity of the CRZ's hatch. I like to go camping and stand up paddleboarding, my "SUP" boards are inflatable so I can throw 2 or 3 in the hatch no problem. I bought the car with 3000 miles on it from a KIA dealership in the US for $17,200 8 years ago. mine is the premium model with nav and the updated black interior (which looks a million times nicer than the awful grey interiors) Overall I am very happy with the car and I'm glad I bought it, but as a "sports car" it leaves SO much to be desired. I would go so far as to say it is not a sports car. It is a sporty car, there is a big difference. The car is a little heavy, especially compared to the classic CRX or other 80's/90'/00's Honda's. the electric motor does provide great low end torque, but equating it to a supercharger is a bit of a joke( although there was an HPD version of the car sold that did come from the factory with a supercharger and produced 200 horsepower) These cars can be turned into a performance car, but that typically involves K swapping the engine. The car also has quite a bit of body roll in the corners, so the suspension would need stiffening up. (anti roll bars and either lowering springs or coilovers) I recently put KONI shocks on mine with are slightly sportier but also take bumps a little harsher. The car is not rev happy at all, there is no reason to floor it because the result is pretty pitiful. Its great off the line, but that is where the excitement ends. this last year I acquired a manual 2014 NC miata and it instantly revealed how much the CRZ is not a sports car, that miata is exponentially more fun to drive than the CR-Z. But it also suggests premium fuel and gets 28mpg compared to the CRZ's 38-42 mpg. the miata also obviously doesn't have the storage of the CRZ. So i have both, two 2014 2 door japanese cars. I missed shifting gears so that is why I got the miata. By comparision the CR-Z seems boring, but that doesn't mean its not an amazing car. On the CRZ forums there is apparently someone who has 450k miles on the stock motor. The engine is under such low stress that it will literally run forever. Another interesting fact about these cars is that if the electric motor goes out, the car still drives, it will just lose all the torque. This is different from a prius which cannot run without the electric motor. I added the K&N air filter and it does make the throttle slightly more responsive. I'm Austinblack25 on instagram for anyone who might want to give me a follow. Cheers. great video JJ

I had that! Was in my early 20s friends thought I was weird but I loved it. Such a fun and eco car.

I owned a CRZ for 10.5 years and have put just about 100k km on it. It is roomy to me as I normally alone in the car. For the last five years, I have added new features, such as radar and sensors for safety, better sound system and speakers, to this car, so I can continue to enjoy this fun car.

I absolutely love mine!! Wish mine was a manual, but I don’t mind the automatic. The biggest thing I wish was that it was just a bit more powerful

I got one as my first car two months ago and i couldnt be happier! The 2013 model with the lithium batteries is almost unobtainable outside of japan, the uk and the us, and its also said that in the long run the nimh packs are more durable

I just got a 2012 Base 6 speed manual with very low mileage. I freaking love it!

I like how from "can I get out now" you cut to a shot where you drive off haha!

Hi JJ. Well, a totally different take on the hybrid idea to that of Toyota and I can see the benefits of the Honda system although mpg may not be one of them. My previous car was a Civic and that had the spoiler across the back window which interfered with the rear view, although at night it successfully blocked the headlights of those driving too close behind. Another fair review, cheers.

Yeah, it's a crackin' looking car, I like the futuristic dash, not so much the black wheels - would be much better looking in silver! You had some nice new roads to pootle around on there, not even on Google Maps Street View yet!

I got a phase 2 car, so a bit more power and facelift etc. Love it and definitely wont change it for anything else.

Bought one back in August, I already put 3k km on it, such an awesome car!! I don't regret a thing and I get 48 UK mpg

There are very few videos of this car, but this one is by far the best!

Hi from Australia. 5 days time taking delivery of my next CRZ(luxury spec,2014 only available as one trim final year of import here) Traded my original standard spec for a Civic type R. Had an Mazda mx30 and a Mazda 3 skyactiv X and now realise what a great car the CRZ was. Even the type R was too firm despite being the update 2020 model. An event to drive but too tiring to drive for long. Didn’t help I was recovering from cancer treatment. Can’t wait to get back in the CRZ. Cheers.

I live in the states (Florida) and I purchased a 2013 cr-z ex 6 speed a couple weeks ago and I’m falling in love with it already. K-swapping it in the future is the goal.

I've had a 2013 since 2017, and I just picked up a one-owner 2011 that I found for sale locally

Reminds me of my first car that I miss dearly, the old Mazda MX-3. Might have to pick one of these up.

Gave my extremely fun car and efficient CR-Z to my son who needed the mileage but doesn’t appreciate my sense of humor in making him (finally) learn to drive a manual. He’s come round though and is beginning to finally understand driving is fun. I loved the car and helled about in it quite a bit. 36-38 was typ mileage and 40 on a good day in eco mode. Went looking for a new car to replace it but there is nothing comparable on the market now, too bad. Maybe I’ll get a type R, in a year or two my boy could maybe know enough to drive that race monster.

Greetings from Malaysia. I've been driving my CRZ for 12 years now, awesome car.

The CRZ is indeed a great little car. My mum bought one new in 2010 and still has it to this day. The drivetrain is bullet proof. I remember wondering how long the hybrid battery would last but here it is at nearly 14 years and is still absolutely fine. Its a solidly built car too with no rattles or creaks. I like driving it. Good fun to chuck about. My only slight criticism is that the steering would benefit from a touch more feel. I wish Honda had replaced it with a new CRZ....

I still love my 2010 CRZ GT Navi. Panoramic roof, all options including Glow pack (speakers, kick plate and door lighting), Carbon pack - spoilers and silver grill. It's ultra reliable, starts first time every time. It's not super economical nor fast, a Mini Cooper S will run rings around it. It's a great blend of both and unlike a Mini it looks so different and uncommon. Eco mode feels like you've left the handbrake on, I rarely use it. Boot is a decent size for me and huge once the back seat is dropped. It's one of the cars you look back at when locking up and walking away.