Even the NA mini is spritely, and while the throttle "feel" kinda sucks the steering is spot on and there's a good sense of connection between driver and car. The CR-Z has no such redeeming quality - driving a CR-Z is like driving an RC car. You have steering and throttle, but zero feel. Worse is Honda's wretched IMA to mess with throttle transitions. The worst thing about IMA - IMHO - is that when brand new it seems really slick. Sometime later - by 30k for sure - engine starts are straight up jarring. I don't love Synergy, but IMA makes Synergy feel downright elegant.
Thing is, as an appliance I'm sure you get used to it and it's surely fine - like a Prius is fine - but any sort of spirited driving? It sucks. The CR-Z failed to nail subcompact commuter like and failed to nail almost sports car. While the CRX distanced itself positively from a Civic, the CRZ is just a Civic with less space.
I feel like that's Honda's sad modern story. Excluding the S2000, Honda's only real successful introduction of the last two decades is the CR-V. The Crosstour sucked. The CR-Z sucked. The Element started strong but ended weak. The (2nd gen) Insight was a straight up embarrassment. Honda has great ideas but, apparently, criminal execution. I just can't hold my breath for a right side drive Sports EV.