Is it the end of the road for the Honda CR-Z?



The Honda CR-Z is a small hybrid sports hatchback that Honda hope would emulate the CR-X’s success. Unfortunately, it looks like the CR-Z will be canned for good following a confirmation of its discontinuity by Honda North American. In its place are two new hybrid models.

This news follows the recent unveiling of the Japan-only CR-Z Final Label edition that could very well be the final production batch before nailing the coffin. The CR-Z Final Edition (finished in shades of blue) gets subtle cosmetic updates, a new set of rims and the obvious “Final Label” embroidery on both front seats.

It retains the same naturally aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine and electric motor combo that outputs 130 hp and 190 Nm of torque. It’s either paired to a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed continuously variable transmission (CVT).honda-crz-final2Unveiled in 2010, the CR-Z somehow made its way to Malaysia in 2011; thanks to the country’s hybrid incentives back then. It had an initial sticker price of RM111,878. When the incentives were revised a few years after, the priced skyrocketed to RM183,000, which is the CR-Z’s current price as indicated on Honda Malaysia’s website.

While Honda Japan has yet to officially announce the CR-Z’s fate, the telltale signs are there. It’s sporty appeal somehow doesn’t jive with buyers, on top of that its modest performance wasn’t exhilarating enough to please enthusiasts, plus the fact that its fuel economy trails behind some of its rivals.

The CR-Z has now gone relatively quiet in Europe, Australia, and even in Malaysia. There are no signs of a successor of yet, which isn’t a bad thing, for now.