Honda CR-Z HPD Edition -- The Si That Never Was

Often referred to as the Si that never was, this car combines the best of both worlds, bringing together the efficiency of a hybrid with the thrill of a sports car.

For those who appreciate JDM culture and the Honda tuning scene, the CR-Z HPD Edition is a dream come true, offering a glimpse into what could have been if Honda had decided to produce a high-performance version of the CR-Z.

With its impressive performance capabilities and sleek design, this car is a testament to the innovative spirit of Honda and its commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the world of automotive engineering.

Whether you're a fan of sport compacts, hybrid sports cars, or simply someone who appreciates the art of performance tuning, this review of the Honda CR-Z HPD Edition is one to watch!

Also check out Drive Culture on YouTube. Drive Culture is detailed car review YouTube channel hosted by the ultimate car enthusiast, Jonathon Rivers.

Who is Jonathon Rivers?

Well, he's a +15 year Auto Industry veteran, born and raised in the Motor City!

He lived several years in Japan, speaks & reads Japanese, and now works for American Honda Motor. (Although this channel is his own & not affiliated)

He's owned several fun cars including a Evo IV, multiple Civic Si, Focus RS, and most recently the Integra Type S (which he lead planning for Acura)!

He's also been lucky enough to drive just about every key new product in the market from compact cars, to SUVs, EVs and super cars!

If that isn't enough to prove his "car guy" status, Jonathon has also been featured in Motor Trend, Car and Driver, AutoBlog, Jay Leno's Garage, Raiti's Rides and the SavageGeese channels! He's on Instagram  here and Facebook  here.

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A transcript, cleaned up by AI and edited by a staffer, is below.

[Image: YouTube Screenshot]

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Transcript:

0:00

First gear, sport mode. Let’s go ahead and take off.

0:09

All right, ride it out.

0:13

Sport Plus gives you even more boost. That’s interesting.

0:22

Welcome to Drive Culture. I’m Jonathan Rivers, and today I have a 2015 Honda CR-Z HPD Edition. I’m going to tell you why this special edition was the best CR-Z of them all. We’ll go over the exterior, interior, powertrain, and of course, take it for a drive. If this is content you’re after, or if you’re new to the channel, be sure to subscribe and hit the bell so you can come back for more. With that, let’s get after it.

Pricing & Trims

0:51

Here we are with a special edition of the CR-Z. You might be thinking, “Wait a minute, isn’t the CR-Z discontinued?” And you’d be right. I’m very lucky to have this particular car with me today, courtesy of the American Honda Collection Hall—Honda’s museum of historic Honda and Acura vehicles and motorcycles.

The CR-Z was sold in the U.S. from 2011 through 2016. During that time, there really wasn’t anything else like it. It was intended to be a spiritual successor to the CRX: a two-seat hatchback, but as a hybrid. That alone put it in a segment of one, especially since it was available with a six-speed manual transmission.

Enthusiasts always wanted more performance from the CR-Z. Toward the end of its lifecycle, Honda Performance Development decided to address that by adding serious performance hardware. This HPD package brought meaningful exterior and powertrain upgrades.

This particular car is an EX trim—essentially the highest trim minus navigation—with the HPD kit installed as a dealer add-on. While I don’t have the Monroney label, factoring in pricing, the HPD kit, and installation, this car would have been close to $40,000 when new. Not cheap then, and not cheap now.

Let’s take a full exterior walkaround to see if it lives up to that price.

Exterior

3:19

Even though the CR-Z is discontinued, the design still looks modern. Styling was never really the issue—performance was. The HPD package addressed that, though at a steep price, and very few were made.

This example is particularly special. It comes from the American Honda Collection Hall and is serialized as number 001—the very first CR-Z HPD. There’s a plaque inside that I’ll show you shortly.

Finished in Rallye Red, the CR-Z features clean, Euro-inspired styling with sharp character lines, aggressive headlights, fog lights, and a sporty front fascia. Along the side, the wedge-shaped profile clearly nods to the CRX heritage. HPD-specific gray lower trim with CR-Z branding adds distinction.

The HPD package includes 18-inch wheels with HPD stamping, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires (215/40R18), large red HPD-branded monoblock front brake calipers, slotted rotors, and a sport suspension that lowers the car by about 10 mm.

Moving rearward, the CR-Z’s glass hatch design remains a standout feature. This HPD model adds unique badging, a decklid spoiler, and an aggressive rear diffuser. The HPD sport exhaust system features large chrome exhaust tips that make it clear this isn’t a standard CR-Z.

Interior

8:14

Inside, the HPD Edition remains largely unchanged from a standard CR-Z. While some might have expected more interior upgrades, Honda clearly focused its budget on performance—and that’s what enthusiasts wanted.

The interior still feels futuristic, even today, with a low, wide dashboard and angular design elements. The driver-focused cockpit layout places controls within easy reach, with drive mode buttons on the left, climate controls on the right, and a three-gauge cluster directly ahead.

The steering wheel is notably small, almost video-game-like in diameter, with integrated controls for audio, cruise control, Bluetooth, and the S+ boost button. Red contrast stitching adds a subtle sporty touch.

The seats are unique to the CR-Z, featuring aggressive bolstering, leather and fabric upholstery, red accents, and strong lateral support. They’re comfortable but firm, especially on longer drives.

This HPD model is manual-only, with a six-speed transmission. Automatics were not compatible with the added performance hardware. A serialized HPD plaque sits in the center console—this one marked 001.

There are three cupholders, ample storage, and high-quality floor mats with red trim. No sunroof was offered, reinforcing the car’s focus as a sport coupe. The U.S. version has no rear seats, leaving the rear area for storage only.

Cargo

13:34

For a two-seat coupe, cargo space is impressive. With the hatch open, there’s a large carpeted cargo area, a subwoofer, and a cargo cover. With no rear seats, the rear wall folds flat, offering up to 25.1 cubic feet of cargo space—similar to a modern compact crossover.

There’s also underfloor storage for tools and additional items.

Powertrain

14:56

This is where the CR-Z HPD truly stands apart. Honda Performance Development added a supercharger to the 1.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine, paired with the Integrated Motor Assist system.

With the supercharger and supporting upgrades, output jumps to 197 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque—up from about 130 horsepower stock. Additional upgrades include a performance exhaust, limited-slip differential, and a stronger clutch.

On paper, that’s nearly a 70-horsepower gain, transforming the CR-Z into a legitimate hot hatch.

But numbers only tell part of the story. Let’s drive it.

Drive Review

16:22

Strapping in and firing it up, the car starts easily and idles smoothly. This example has just under 7,500 miles and is in excellent condition.

In normal and Econ modes, the CR-Z drives much like a standard model—quiet, composed, and efficient. Throttle response is muted, and the hybrid system prioritizes economy.

Switching into Sport mode changes everything. Throttle response sharpens immediately, the supercharger becomes audible, and the car feels far more eager. The suspension is firm and can be bumpy over rough pavement, but the payoff is excellent grip and flat cornering.

The S+ button provides an extra performance boost when battery conditions allow, acting like a temporary power surge. It’s noticeable and adds to the car’s playful character.

Acceleration is strong, with noticeable torque steer under hard throttle—expected given the power increase and front-wheel-drive layout. Braking performance is excellent, with strong stopping power and good stability.

Overall, the HPD upgrades transform the CR-Z. It feels like an OEM-plus performance car—civilized when cruising, but genuinely quick and engaging when pushed. Honda claimed nearly a two-second improvement in 0–60 mph times, putting it into Civic Si territory.

Outro

26:20

So what do you think of the 2015 Honda CR-Z HPD Edition? Is this the version Honda should have built from the start? Would you like to see something like this return to the market today?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments, and if you want to see more vehicles from the American Honda Collection Hall, be sure to tell me. If you’re new here, don’t forget to subscribe and hit the bell. Thanks for watching, and I’ll see you in the next episode.