Is the Honda CRZ electric?
No. The Honda CR-Z is not an all-electric vehicle; it’s a hybrid that pairs a gasoline engine with an electric motor and does not offer plug-in charging. It was produced for a limited period starting in 2010 and was largely discontinued by the mid-2010s, with no ongoing electric CR-Z model in Honda’s current lineup.
What the CR-Z is and isn’t
The CR-Z was introduced as a compact, sport-oriented hybrid hatchback from Honda. It was designed to blend lightweight handling with improved fuel efficiency, rather than to serve as a pure electric car. Today it remains a historical example of Honda’s early hybrid strategy rather than a path to an all-electric future.
How the hybrid system works
Before listing the key characteristics, note that the CR-Z’s drivetrain centers on a gasoline engine working in tandem with an electric motor. The electric motor provides assist during acceleration and can enable limited electric operation, but the car does not run on electricity alone for practical driving ranges. The battery recharges through regenerative braking and engine-driven charging, not via an external charging port. Transmission options varied by market and model year, and the car was marketed more for efficiency and engagement than as a full-electric performance vehicle.
- Hybrid powertrain combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor to provide drive power.
- The electric motor assists acceleration and can enable brief electric-only operation, but it is not a long-range electric driving option.
- The battery recharges through regenerative braking and engine-driven charging; there is no external plug-in charging setup for the CR-Z.
- Transmission options included manuals and CVTs depending on market and trim level.
- Honda positioned the CR-Z as a sportier hybrid with efficiency benefits, not as an all-electric vehicle.
These points highlight how the CR-Z uses hybrid technology rather than a true electric propulsion system.
Current status and available alternatives
As of 2025, Honda does not sell a CR-Z. The model was phased out after its initial launch period, with production largely ending around 2016. For buyers seeking Honda electrified options today, the brand offers hybrids such as the Civic e:HEV and, in some markets, the Jazz/Fit hybrid, as well as fully electric options such as the Honda e in regions where it is sold and upcoming electric offerings like the Prologue SUV. The CR-Z remains a historical footnote in Honda’s hybrid timeline rather than a current product.
Summary
The Honda CR-Z is not an electric vehicle. It is a hybrid that combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor and does not support external charging. Produced in the early to mid-2010s, it was discontinued years ago, and Honda’s current lineup focuses on newer hybrids and electric models rather than a revived CR-Z in electric form.
