On the road: Honda CR-Z 1.5 GT

It's just what the kids have been crying out for, a souped-up hatchback that's also a planet-saving hybrid. That's the theory, anyway, behind the "urban street racer with a conscience", otherwise known as the Honda CR-Z 1.5 GT. But there are a few practical problems. The first is that the kinds of people – at a wild guess, mostly young blokes – who will thrill to the CR-Z's punchy design probably don't lie awake at night worrying about polar bears. And the second is that it isn't that fast and it isn't that green.

These minor provisos aside, the CR-Z is not without its appeal, from certain angles. Addressed the right way – head on, and slightly to the side – the CR-Z looks a nifty number, with a slick shape and aerodynamic tailoring. From less flattering angles, it also looks like just another boxy hatchback.

The various flash design touches – such as headlights that resemble a string of Christmas tree lights – offer a visual promise of rapid response. But, as they say in Liverpool, calm down. For you have to get the thing started, and that proves more troublesome than you might expect.

First it's necessary to put the key in the ignition. Good, old-fashioned system, you might say. Yes, except you also have to press the separate ignition button. And, as if that wasn't belt-n-braces enough, you have to do it while compressing the clutch. Got that? OK, but where's the ignition button? Good question. Hidden behind the steering wheel.

The dashboard is a riot of mixed messages, with large, illuminated dials that give pride of place to the rev counter. At the same time there is a choice of three different drive modes: sport, normal and eco. If you select normal or eco, a leaf is displayed that, depending on the economy of your drive, grows into a flower.

How beautiful, you might say, as you dab your joy-moistened cheeks. But is anyone who gets a kick out of racking up 6,000 on the massively prominent rev counter really going to be constrained by the possibility of constructing an electronic flower? Mmm. It's just conceivable that it might encourage compulsive gamers to gain a perfect eco score.

The other reason to avoid the sport mode, perhaps, is that, while noticeably more responsive and less green than the other modes, it's no great shakes in the speed department. Yes, it's sharper than other hybrids, but then they do have the advantage of being able to fit human beings in the back. The leg space in the rear of the CR-Z is fit only for domestic pets. And there's very limited rear vision.

High performance, low consumption is the dream. The CR-Z nods towards both without ever quite arriving at either.

Honda CR-Z 1.5 GT

Price £19,999
Top speed 124mph
Acceleration 0-62mph in 10.1 seconds
Average consumption 56.5mpg
CO₂ emissions 117g/km
Eco rating 8/10
Bound for Computer World
In a word Oxymoronic