Honda has a go at hybrid cars again with the sporty CR-Z

Hybrid car makers invest vast amounts of money in new technology that will help them one-up the competition in the all-important MPG race. The car’s design isn’t their main concern and they often produce models that look more like a vanilla sedan than a car with sex appeal. Honda wants to change the hybrid market with their sporty new CR-Z that has slick features and questionable gas mileage.

Honda’s never had the level of success in the hybrid market that their arch rival Toyota currently enjoys with the Prius. The US sales numbers for their hybrid called the Insight stalled in 2009 and missed their target sales number by a wide margin.

The CR-Z looks a lot like an updated version their classic 80’s hatchback the CRX, with some obvious touches coming from the Insight. The car only seats two people, a fact that Honda thinks consumers will overlook because of their “Fun to drive” mantra.

Unlike a lot of hybrids consumers may purchase their CR-Z with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) or opt for the 6-speed. There are three modes that vary in their energy consumption that include econ, normal, and sport modes. Econ or economy is the frugal option while the sport mode uses more energy.

While the CR-Z has been getting some great reviews for its handling, the car’s gas mileage isn’t that notable. Honda estimates that the CR-Z’s automatic transmission will hit 37 MPG for city and highway traffic
and the manual should reach 34 MPG. In comparison, a current Mini Cooper got a combined 32 MPG while Honda’s 1987 CRX had a rating of 46 MPG.

While the fuel efficiency of the CR-Z may be disappointing, Honda isn’t betting everything on their new hybrid that they’ve priced at $20,000. The carmaker will start selling the CR-Z in the US in August and expects to sell just 15,000 annually.