Do not invest more money than you can afford to lose.
We can see a refreshed angular radiator grille, blade-like front diffuser and a sportier appearance thanks to the triangle-shaped fog light well. There are reworked side skirts to unify the theme, and out back, a new lower fascia mimics the CR-Z’s freshened swoopy front-end treatment.
It could be argued that Honda is trying to jump-start USA sales with this just-announced 2016 facelift and tech update, but the reality is more likely that the front-wheel-drive funster continues to sell well enough in its home market to justify some attention, and America is benefiting by default.
On the inside, there’s more new standard equipment, including a center console with armrest, an electronic parking brake, a pushbutton start, and a Display Audio entertainment system with 7.0-inch touchscreen. This new range-topping trim features standard leather seats, heated front seats, navigation, and more. Its 1.5-liter gasoline engine is hooked up to a 15 kWh electric motor, pumping out a total of 130 horsepower and 140 lb.-ft. of torque. The system returns 31/38 mpg (city/highway) with the six-speed manual transmission and 36/39 mpg with the continuously variable transmission.
Available on order starting tomorrow, the 2016 Honda CR-Z kicks off at $20,295 for the base LX with the manual gearbox and rises to $25,090 for the top-spec EX-L Navi with the CVT. All CR-Z models have 16-inch aluminum wheels and 195/55R16 tires.
The precise release date of the 2016 CR-Z is not yet available, but we do have its pricing details.
2 140 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1000-2000 rpm (combined engine SAE net plus electric motor) for MT, 127 lb.-ft. @ 1000-3000 rpm (combined engine SAE net plus electric motor) for CVT. CR-Z EX and EX-L Navi trims include Honda LaneWatch™, which displays a wide-angle view of the passenger side roadway on the Display Audio screen. However, the sport hybrid does receive thicker stabilizer bars and bigger brakes all around for 2016, meaning the CR-Z should handle and stop better than last year’s model.
The CR-Z interior has a high-tech appearance and intuitive controls including the new Display Audio touchscreen.
All 2015 and newer Honda models, including the 2016 CR-Z, incorporate a multi-angle rearview camera8.
