Honda CR-Z - Back seat passenger's perspective !

For the first time I didn't go for a test drive eventhough I have the chance, and for the first time I was in the back seat as a passenger while my friend was in the driver seat. The reason is simply, yet embarrassing - the test unit only have manual transmission. There was I, together with my friend Tony, went for a test drive for the Honda CR-Z. While currently only manual transmission is available for the CR-Z, the sales advisor told us that the CVT transmission CR-Z will be available around June.

Since I won't be driving the CR-Z, I was the back seat passenger - well, I wouldn't call the rear seat of CR-Z as a seat. Even children will have a tough time fitting themselves in the rear seats. I placed my body on the right side of the rear seat, while my legs were in the left rear footwell, and my head moved forward and in downward position. I wouldn't say this is a bad thing for the CR-Z, since Honda already announced that the CR-Z is a 2+2seater, not 4.

 Something might surprise you though - riding in the back seat of CR-Z isn't that bad at all! Other than the super-lacking rear space, the suspension was not as stiff as I imagined for a sports car. The suspension did a good job in absorbing the bumps while maintaining good body control. The engine let out a sporty yet inobtrusive note when pushed hard, while it has good noise insulation while going at high speed.

I can't comment on how the CR-Z performance and handling are, but Tony said it is more powerful than his manual Persona.When Tony floored the pedal, I can feel the surge that I had never felt in a hybrid car! This must be one of the most powerful hybrid (at least in Malaysia!) available and also affordable to the buyers! My first impression on the manual CR-Z is promising, and hopefully the automatic transmission CR-Z will be as good to drive as well.

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