2018 honda clarity plug-in hybrid review

Car and Driver

Overview

The 2018 Honda Clarity plug-in hybrid is a comfy sedan that can go 48 miles solely on electric power—which is plenty for most weekday commutes—and then operates as a gasoline-electric hybrid for another 293 miles before you fill up the tank again. The Clarity is a plug-in hybrid that makes sense for the way most Americans use their cars. At 192.7 inches long over a 108.3-inch wheelbase, the Clarity is the largest sedan sold by Honda, although it’s only a half-inch longer than an Accord, and its wheelbase is actually 3.1 inches shorter.

Pricing

Original MSRP:

• Base: $34,295
• Touring: $37,495

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Conceptually, the Clarity plug-in’s powertrain is closest to that in the Chevrolet Volt. It’s a serial hybrid in which the internal-combustion engine is used to turn a generator that produces current to charge batteries for an electric motor that is the primary drive for the vehicle. The motor produces 181 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque and pulls juice from a 17.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. In addition to charging the battery, the gas engine can also assist in directly driving the wheels, bringing the car’s total horsepower to 212. The Clarity carries a combined rating of 110 MPGe on electrons and 42 mpg on gasoline. With a fully charged battery, the Clarity Touring whizzed to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds in our testing. If thrust is a virtue, the Accord is a saint and the Clarity plug-in hybrid is just a pretty good guy. The Clarity has a premium feel to its well-damped ride, compromised by the many extra pounds of batteries under the back seat. Their placement gives the car a low center of gravity, but the Clarity feels as if it reaches the edge of its cornering limits prematurely, despite relatively wide 235/45R-18 tires.

More on the Clarity Sedan

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

Fully filling the battery pack, takes about 2.5 hours from a 240-volt source but as many as 12 hours on a 120-volt circuit. With its battery full, the Clarity can travel an EPA-estimated 48 miles on electricity before it has to fire up its 1.5-liter inline-four, extending total range to an EPA-rated 340 miles.

Fuel Economy

EPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA’s website and select Find & Compare Cars.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Clarity's interior is very mainstream Honda at first glance, but the design is a bit more aggressive in its shape and more restrained in its details. It’s completely inoffensive, relentlessly logical in operation, and utterly comfortable. The front seats are perfectly shaped and covered in perforated leather in Touring trim, while much of the rest of the surfaces are “plant-derived bio-fabrics,” which sounds like they were produced in a yurt. The whole Clarity interior is conservatively tailored and roomy, although rear-seat legroom is a bit tight.

The Car and Driver Difference

Infotainment and Connectivity

The Clarity comes standard with a 180-watt AM/FM/HD/SiriusXM audio system with eight speakers. Its 8.0-inch hi-res touchscreen display includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, Bluetooth, and the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assistance features. Although well equipped, the system can be balky and difficult to use.

How to Buy and Maintain a Car

Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings

For more information about the Honda Clarity’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty

Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer's CPO program.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below