Road Test: A really stylish Honda hybrid

Everyone knows that hybrid vehicles are eco-friendly, frugal and practical, but they're not renowned for their sporty driving, writes Trish Whelan. But dare I say that hybrids can be fun cars to drive?

Take what Honda call 'the world's first sports hybrid coupe'. A really stylish little car which, I expect, will appeal more to lady drivers than to men. But we'll see.

It has history, bringing to the brand all those attributes that made the CR-X such a winner back in its time. But Honda have added some more goodies in keeping with the 21st century. The car's unique selling point is that it is the first hybrid with a manual transmission, a slick 6-speed gearbox that really is a joy to use.

This is quite a small car, delicious in white with a contrasting interior colour. In this case, a nice shade of gray. Aimed at young or single buyers, or 'green' empty nesters, it combines a petrol engine with an electric motor that allows it shift from 0-100km/h in 9.9 seconds. The power comes from Honda's 1.4 petrol unit reworked now to 1.5 litres that outputs 114bhp. When added with the electric motor, the power output increases to around 125bhp. The electric hybrid comes in when a power boost is needed.

The official figure for the combined fuel return is around 5.0 L/100km (56mpg). For me, it was 6.2 l/100kms as I did most of my driving in Sport mode so the car glugged more fuel. For those who drive Green, your Eco drive scoring is shown in the multi-info-display as leaves growing on a series of five plants. This score is based on braking and accelerating, vehicle speed, Econ mode usage and idling duration. I'm afraid I'm not really into all that stuff, I just like to drive the way I want to.

While there is ample room up front for two in the sporty leather seats with their integrated headrests, there's very little knee room behind so the back two seats are really only for small children or for use as storage space for your jacket, bag and other things. Shopping can be tucked away in the boot which is quite spacious and with under-floor space for other items.

The interior is really smart and user-friendly with the central console slightly angled towards the driver, and the dash similar to the Honda Insight which means it's 'busy' with lots of buttons and displays. Colourful instruments are really eye-catching, as we've become accustomed to with the Honda Insight and Civic, and your speed is shown in big white digital numbers right in the centre. Instrument colours change to show when you are driving more economically, or not as the case may be.

You can choose from three driving modes — Normal, Econ and Sport — depending on the relevant driving conditions, or on your own particular mood of the day. My favourite by far was Sport mode — throttle sensitivity is increased, the steering tightens, and you get a blast of a response to the slightest pressure on the pedal. The engine sound is quite addictive too, and the fact that you have control over when you change gears, adds to the satisfaction of the drive.

I found Normal mode quite alright for usual trips but Econ was boring by comparison, reducing power and torque but providing better fuel economy, if that's what you want. It also required far more wellie on the pedal to get anywhere near an enjoyable ride.

On the road, you totally forget this is a hybrid. Ride quality is excellent, as you'd expect from Honda while the suspension is sporty enough for most buyers.

Don't expect great visibility out the rear side windows or the back window as B-Pillars are particularly thick and the side windows narrow. This, together with the big front headrests, results in poor visibility when reversing out of a nose-in street parking slot into oncoming traffic, from your left. You just can't get a good view of what's coming. The tailgate is split with a bar across and this also interferes somewhat with your view out the rear mirror.

Standard equipment includes six airbags, climate control, cruise control, front electric windows, rear parking sensors which you absolutely need, active headrests, 16-inch alloy wheels, and electric/folding mirrors. The GT trim adds a panoramic glass roof, leather upholstery, front fogs, heated seats and rain-sensing wipers.

CR-Z is offered in two versions: Sport at €26,300 and the GT (the review car) for €29,400. Naturally, the GT version gets more playthings for the extra cost. The car is in Band A for annual road tax with 117g/C02. A less specced variant at a cheaper price is due later.

The CR-Z carries a 3-year warranty, five years on the IMA hybrid system.