The Honda CR-Z does 36 mpg combined (34.7 city, 38 highway), which works out to about $1,067 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.5L 4-cyl does 36 mpg while 1.5L 4-cyl Hybrid does 36 — a difference of $0 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Honda CR-Z engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Honda CR-Z ranges from 36 down to 36 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $0 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 34.6 / 38 | 2011–2016 | $1,067 | |
| 1.5L 4-cyl Hybrid | 35 / 38 | 2015–2015 | $1,067 |
What that actually costs
The Honda CR-Z burns a gallon every 36 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 333 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.089 |
| Fuel per year | $1,067 |
| Fuel over five years | $5,335 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$427 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,750 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Honda CR-Z gives up 3.3 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 38 out there against 34.7 in town, a 10% drop worth $96 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 34.7 mpg | $1,107 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 38 mpg | $1,011 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +3.3 mpg (10%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the CR-Z changed over the years
Combined figure across the 6 model years the CR-Z was rated in, all of them at 36 mpg. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 35 / 38 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2015 | 35 / 38 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2014 | 35 / 38 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2013 | 35 / 38 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2012 | 34 / 38 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2011 | 34 / 38 | 1 | $1,067 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 6 EPA ratings of the Honda CR-Z — 2 engines across 2011–2016. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $1,750. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Honda CR-Z get?
36 mpg combined on average — 34.7 in the city and 38 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2011–2016.
How much does a Honda CR-Z cost in fuel per year?
About $1,067 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $5,335 over five years, or 0.089 dollars a mile.
Which CR-Z engine is the most economical?
The 1.5L 4-cyl at 36 mpg, against 36 for the 1.5L 4-cyl Hybrid — a difference of about $0 a year.
Is the CR-Z good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world CR-Z figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Honda CR-Z is $1,750 against the $1,067 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 36 and 36 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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