Honda CR-Z named 2011 car of the year

January 2012

The Honda CR-Z has been named as the Car of the Year for 2011 by Wheels magazine in a major coup for the brand.

Noting that the car - which is the first hybrid to have a six-speed manual transmission - is in a "class of its own", Honda Australia director and general manager of sales and marketing Stephen Collins said he was "extremely proud" of the honour.

Wheels magazine editor Bill Thomas said the Honda CR-Z took home the honour because it is "innovative, trendsetting, efficient and fun to drive."

He explained: " Cars don’t have to be ‘supercars’ to be fun. It’s the CR-Z’s balance of abilities - the combination of price, performance and fun."

Collins added that the Wheels gong was the latest in a long line of awards for the Honda CR-Z, which has also previously been named as the Car of the Year in Japan and the Green Car of the Year by Top Gear magazine in the United Kingdom.

Honda is one of the sponsors of the current Sydney Festival, which is set to run until January 29. The event is home to the Honda Festival Garden and Honda CR-Z models are available to view here, as well as at an outdoor lounge area at Martin Place.