Honda CR-Z and Peugeot RCZ in Diesel vs Hybrid Duel [with Video]

In Europe, Honda's CR-Z hybrid hot hatch isn't the only eco-friendly sports car available to buyers of average means. One of the most recent arrivals in the category is Peugeot's striking RCZ sports coupe that is offered with a frugal 2.0-liter diesel engine.

Two cars, two different approaches on the same topic. But which one is better? To answer this question, British magazine Auto Express took both sports cars and tested them to see which one comes on top in typical everyday use.

If you read between the lines - or in this case, the tester's words, the RCZ is a better car picking up the title in fuel economy, performance, interior styling and quality, as well as exterior looks. But -there's always a but, isn't there?- the entry-level RCZ Diesel costs £5,251 [about US$7,900 or €6,500] more than the basic CR-Z, which ultimately makes the comparison unjust.

Video and some quick facts we gathered on both cars after the jump.

Video: Autoexpress / Youtube

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UK SPEC MODELS: QUICK FACTS

HONDA CR-Z: The CR-Z comes with a 1.5-liter petrol engine coupled to a small electric motor producing a combined output of 124-horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 174Nm / 128 lb-ft of peak torque from 1,000 to 1,500 rpm.

With the 6-speed manual, Honda UK claims that the CR-Z in basic 'S' trim sprints to 62mph (100km/h) in 9.9 seconds [10.1 seconds for the better equipped GT model] and tops out at 124mph (199 km/h).

According to the manufacturer, the hybrid sports car, which tips the scales at 1,198 kg / 2,641 lbs, returns a combined fuel economy of 56.5mpg UK [5.0lt/100km or 47.0mpg US] with CO2 emissions of 117g/km.

Auto Express said that in a mixture of conditions as well as some hot laps on the test track, the CR-Z's trip computer recorded an average of 39.5 mpg UK [7.1 lt/100km or 32.9 mpg US].

In the UK, the CR-Z is offered in three trim levels - S, Sport and GT, with prices set at £16,999, £17,999 and £19,999 respectively.

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PEUGEOT RCZ: Along with the 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol engines producing 156HP and 200HP, the RCZ is also offered with a 2.0-liter turbo diesel hooked up to a six-speed manual gearbox.

It delivers 163-horsepower at 3,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 340Nm / 251 lb ft at 2,000 rpm and returns a combined fuel consumption of 53.2 mpg UK (5.3 lt /100km or 44.3 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 139 g/km.

In AE's test, the RCZ returned an average of 41.4mpg UK [6.8lt/100km or 34.5mpg US].

Weighing in at 1,474 kg / 3,250 lbs, the diesel-powered RCZ goes from zero to 62mph (100km/h) in 8.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 137mph (220km/h).

The Peugeot RCZ 2.0 HDi is available in two grades, Sport and GT, with OTR pricing set at £22,250 and £24,550 respectively.

Peugeot to Race Diesel-Powered RCZ Coupe at 24 Hours of Nurburgring

Peugeot has taken the wraps off its RCZ racers that will be on the starting grid of the forthcoming Nurburgring 24 Hour endurance race on May 15. The French automaker will take part in the famous race with two RCZs, both of which are powered by a 2.0-liter HDI turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine pumping out 200HP.

The RCZs will compete in the D1T category for vehicles powered by diesel engines with a displacement between 1.7- and 2.0-liters. More details on the RCZ racers are expected to be released over the next few weeks.

Mega Gallery of Peugeot's New RCZ Sports Coupe

The European market launch of the most expressive and dare we say, beautiful Peugeot of the past decade or so, saw the French automaker releasing a slew of photos of the new RCZ sports coupe that you can enjoy in high-res quality after the break.

Revealed in production form for the very first time at last year's Frankfurt Show, the RCZ is one of those few cars that made it from concept to production virtually unchanged. And if anything else, Peugeot should be applauded for its bold decision to do so.

The French 2+2 seater compact coupe, which challenges the more simpler looking VW Scirocco and Audi TT, is offered at launch with a choice of three engines: a 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol available with 156HP or 200HP (the same unit is used on the MINI Coooper models) and a 2.0-liter turbo diesel with 163 ponies.

Whichever engine you select, you get a standard 6-speed manual gearbox that transfers power to the front-wheels, while the 156HP 1.6 THP is also offered optionally with a 6-speed automatic transmission.