Inside & Out: 9/10

CR-Z is a good looking car and it does echo the styling of the Honda Civic CR-X with that lovely wedge shape. There are some really nice styling features, from the one-piece grille - which extends above and below the bumper line - to the curvature and shape of the rear hatch. There is a rear diffuser that masks the exhaust pipe of the CR-Z too. These gorgeous features are on a body that sits on a wide track and short wheelbase.

Inside, there are lots of buttons. More than we have seen on a car in some time. It is a little bit like the Honda Insight Hybrid, but instead of a CVT transmission, there is a six-speed manual - the first manual hybrid we have come across. There is a big red Start button to signal the car's sporty intent and there is a range of options to change the behavior of the hybrid system. Either side of the normal setting you can have Econ or Sport.

The rear seats are pretty useless really. This is officially a 2+2, but there isn't much room for anyone in the back other than small children. The boot, with the rear seats up, is 214 litres, but you can push them down to get a much more useful 382 litres.

Engine & Transmission: 6/10

This being a hybrid, there is a combination of a high-revving 114hp 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 14hp electric motor. The combined power figure is 124hp with 174Nm of torque. This isn't really a lot of power for a sports car, but when you look at the fuel economy you can see where the effort has gone in.

The CR-Z emits just 117g/km of CO₂ and consumes just 5.0 litres/100km. The hybrid drivetrain is the same system as used in the Insight, but the software and settings have been altered. Sport mode in the CR-Z sharpens the throttle response, gleans more electric assistance from the motor and increases the weight of the power steering.

Econ mode reduces the sensitivity of the throttle and maps the engine to prioritise fuel economy. There is quite a lot of fuss and noise from the hybrid system in the CR-Z when you push it hard. And you have to push it quite hard to get the best out of it. Having said that, 0-100km/h takes less than 10 seconds and the top speed is 200km/h.

Ride & Handling: 7/10

Despite the lack of really potent performance, there is a really good chassis and the steering is nicely weighted too, especially if you select Sport mode. It has the high-revving character of hot hatches of old and this makes it really likeable.

If you aren't thrashing it, around town it is pretty docile. The rear window is annoying because you can't see out of it and in general visibility isn't great. The ride isn't too firm, but it is certainly on the hard side. You know that this car and would handle lots more power.

Equipment, Economy & Value for Money: 7/10

The cheapest CR-Z is the €26,630 'Sport' and you pay €29,400 for the higher spec 'GT' grade. The specification is really good. There are 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control, LED lights, an auxillary socket, rear parking sensors, cruise control, multi-function leather steering wheel, leather and alloy gear knob, alloy pedals and a USB port.

The 'GT' grade adds a panorama glass roof, HID headlights with washers, auto levelling front lights, front fog lights, leather upholstery, heated seats, hands free phone kit, light sensing auto lights and rain sensing wipers. Because of the low emissions, you will only pay €104 per year in tax and the fuel economy is excellent as mentioned.

Summary

The Honda CR-Z is a car to be admired rather than loved. It is clever, clean and really very pretty but it isn't very exciting. Whether Honda intended it to be exciting or not is unclear but it sits a little awkwardly between two stools. You could have a VW Scirocco with either petrol or diesel power for similar money, but it wouldn't be as well equipped. However, the 170hp diesel engine in the Scirocco has lots more grunt.

Honda CR-Z GT:

• Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol assisted by electric motor
• Maximum power: 124hp at 6,100rpm
• Maximum torque: 174Nm at 1,000 - 1,500rpm
• Acceleration (0-100km/h): 9.9 seconds
• Maximum speed: 200km/h
• Fuel economy (combined cycle): 5.0 litres/100km (56.4 mpg)
• CO₂ emissions: 117g/km
• Motor tax band: A
• Annual road tax: €104
• Retail price: Official price of test car without options is €29,400