#TBT | Is the Honda CR-Z a worthy successor to the CRX? | Articles

For the Lulz

There’s been a lot of online whining about the CR-Z. Most of this kvetching claims that the new hybrid will never be as cool as the CRX, or that it would be better if it had a VTEC (yo!), or that it’s too heavy, or that it’s stupid and terrible and every other thing that the Internet loves to get riled up about. 

Of course, most of these opinions come from folks who haven’t driven a CR-Z—many of whom have never even seen one in person. Far be it from us to suggest that actual experience become a qualification for being an Internet expert, but we do see the value in adding some real data to the discussion. And this one seems tailor-made for a head-to-head comparison test.

So we gathered a fresh example of Honda’s newest hybrid sporty two-seater, that being the CR-Z in question, plus an unmolested example of the iconic benchmark, a second-generation CRX owned by Honda technician Steve McClesky. His 1988 CRX Si is still in bone-stock condition, making it perhaps one of the last few that haven’t been chopped up or thrashed to death. A set of old Falken Azenis tires were the only upgrade.

Now, despite our sarcastic bashing of the Internet bashers, we bring some apprehensions of our own to this comparison. We also share a deep and abiding love of all things CRX. Most of our staff members have, at one time or another, owned the lovable little Honda. Some even regret having parted with their CRXs so much that those traumatic events were the lynchpin for a nightmare descent into booze and pills that ultimately led to Nowheresville. Okay, it’s possible we stole that last bit from every “Behind the Music” we ever saw, but some of us really do miss our CRXs. Fortunately, we still have David’s VTEC-swapped ’88 HF in the fleet.

Side by Side

We could sit at a computer terminal and compare numbers all day long, but the only real test of…