Skip advert
Advertisement

Honda CR-Z vs Renault Megane Coupe

Can the facelifted Honda CR-Z really cut it as a sports car? We test it against the Renault Megane Coupe to find out

Hybrid sports cars are here to stay, but the Honda CR-Z has never quite managed to secure a place in our hearts.

When it arrived two years ago, it promised to be fun and frugal in equal measure, but ended up as a halfway house – not sporty enough to take on petrol coupes and not clean enough to choose over an efficient diesel rival.

Advertisement - Article continues below

That could be about to change, as Honda has raised the stakes with a facelift. New batteries and tweaks to the engine have raised its total output to a respectable 135bhp, while an F1-style boost button gives an extra 10 seconds’ assistance from the electric motor.

Minor styling tweaks keep the CR-Z looking fresh, but will they be enough to see off the Renault Megane Coupe that beat it in our previous test?

The Renault has also been revised. Desirable GT Line trim gives it a sporty edge to match the CR-Z, while a punchy 1.5-litre diesel engine means it has staggeringly low CO2 emissions of just 90g/km. So which clean coupe is better?

Verdict

Honda has raised the performance stakes with this new CR-Z, but has it finally delivered a hybrid coupe to set driving enthusiasts’ pulses racing?

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Civic Tourer

2015 Honda

Civic Tourer

23,617 milesAutomaticPetrol1.8L

Cash £12,178
View Civic Tourer
Astra

2023 Vauxhall

Astra

11,209 milesAutomaticDiesel1.5L

Cash £21,199
View Astra
EcoSport

2019 Ford

EcoSport

16,963 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £10,495
View EcoSport
Grandland X

2020 Vauxhall

Grandland X

45,973 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £10,495
View Grandland X

Its slick manual gearbox is still a joy to use, but the heavy steering and firm ride hamper its ability to entertain. The Plus Sport boost button feels like a cheap gimmick rather than a genuniely useful overtaking feature, and the problems that dogged the outgoing model remain: coupe buyers may not bat an eyelid at the cramped cabin and tiny boot, but there are plenty of hot hatches that offer genuine performance and practicality for less cash.

The Renault isn’t in the same league for straightline performance, but it soundly beats the Honda at the pumps. The Megane is also fun to drive thanks to its agile chassis, plus its diesel engine feels perky enough in everyday driving. It also matches its rival for style and hi-tech kit, while the icing on the cake is the £21,800 list price: £1,250 less than the CR-Z.

That’s enough to allow an upgrade to the superb 1.6-litre dCi engine, closing the gap in performance. Some buyers will prefer the high-revving Honda to the more sedate Renault, but overall the CR-Z still struggles to justify its place in a competitive class. Honda needs to rediscover its sports car magic before the new NSX arrives later this year.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £11,995
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,795 off RRP*Used from £11,800
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £3,158 off RRP*
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £3,214 off RRP*Used from £10,395
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment
Xiaomi YU7 - front cornering

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment

BMW or Mercedes would do anything to keep the new Xiaomi YU7 from sale in the UK and Europe, and this is why
Road tests
14 Jul 2025
New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
The EV grant is back: Government's new £3,750 electric car discount in detail
Auto Express creative director Darren Wilson charging the Lexus RZ

The EV grant is back: Government's new £3,750 electric car discount in detail

The government has set out its plan to help reduce the cost of affordable EVs by introducing a new £3,750 grant for new EVs sold
News
15 Jul 2025