2021 Honda Clarity
MSRP Range: $33,400 - $58,490 Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.
7.2/10
edmunds TESTED
The Clarity gets the important parts right, with great efficiency and a comfortable ride. We're fans of its build quality, spacious interior and even acceleration. At its best, the Clarity makes a strong case for plug-in hybrids. The downsides include an overly soft ride quality and a frustrating infotainment system.
2021 Honda Clarity Review
byReese Counts
Vehicle Test Editor
Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.
Pros
- Comfortable, well-appointed cabin
- PHEV's long electric driving range
- Near-silent ride with little noise intrusion
Cons
- Limited availability of Clarity Fuel Cell
- Touchscreen infotainment system can be cumbersome to use
- Polarizing styling
What's new
- The Clarity is unchanged for 2021
- Part of the first Clarity generation introduced for 2017
Overview
The 2021 Honda Clarity is an eco-minded sedan sold in two variations: as a hydrogen fuel cell or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). The former is only available in California because it's the only state with any substantial hydrogen infrastructure. Since the fuel cell is used to power an electric motor, the Clarity drives and feels like a battery-powered EV, and you can fill the hydrogen fuel tank in just a few minutes. The Clarity Plug-In Hybrid, meanwhile, uses a small battery pack paired with a gasoline engine. As a result, the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid offers 47 miles of pure electric range, but its backup gasoline engine allows it to travel as far as any regular sedan.
Only a handful of other fuel cell vehicles are on sale today. The Toyota Mirai has been fully redesigned for 2021, and Hyundai has been selling the Nexo SUV for the past few years. As with the Clarity, the Mirai and Nexo are only available in California. The Clarity Plug-In Hybrid has far more competition. And though we like the Toyota Prius Prime and RAV4 Prime as well as the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, the Clarity offers significantly more range and is well worth a look if you're hunting for a plug-in hybrid.
What's it like to live with?
A 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell joined our long-term test fleet not long after it debuted. We found it to be comfortable and extremely quiet, but we had trouble with the disappointing hydrogen infrastructure and the high cost of scheduled maintenance.
Edmunds Expert Rating
average
7.2/10
Edmunds Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
The Clarity gets the important parts right, with great efficiency and a comfortable ride. We're fans of its build quality, spacious interior and even acceleration. At its best, the Clarity makes a strong case for plug-in hybrids. The downsides include an overly soft ride quality and a frustrating infotainment system.
Rated for you by America's best test team.
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2021 Honda Clarity pricing
in Ashburn, VAEdmunds suggests you pay
Which Clarity does Edmunds recommend?
We suggest going with the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid over its fuel cell sibling. The hydrogen infrastructure is limited and inconvenient, so opting for the plug-in variant gives you the flexibility of a regular hybrid.
Honda Clarity models
The 2021 Honda Clarity is available in two basic forms: the Plug-In Hybrid and Fuel Cell. The Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine (212 horsepower, 232 lb-ft) with an electric-motor hybrid system and a 17-kWh lithium-ion battery. On a full charge, the battery provides up to 47 electric-only miles of range. In the Clarity Fuel Cell, the fuel cell assembly turns the hydrogen into electricity, which powers an electric motor (174 hp, 221 lb-ft) and gives it 360 miles of range.
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FAQ
Is the Honda Clarity a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2021 Clarity both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.2 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2021 Clarity gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 47 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that carrying capacity for the Clarity ranges from 11.8 to 15.5 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Honda Clarity. Learn more
What's new in the 2021 Honda Clarity?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Honda Clarity:
- The Clarity is unchanged for 2021
- Part of the first Clarity generation introduced for 2017
Is the Honda Clarity reliable?
To determine whether the Honda Clarity is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Clarity. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Clarity's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2021 Honda Clarity a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2021 Honda Clarity is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2021 Clarity and gave it a 7.2 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2021 Clarity gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 47 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2021 Clarity is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2021 Honda Clarity?
The least-expensive 2021 Honda Clarity is the 2021 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $33,400.
Other versions include:
- Plug-In Hybrid 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT) which starts at $33,400
- Touring Plug-In Hybrid 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT) which starts at $36,600
- Fuel Cell 4dr Sedan (electric (fuel cell) DD) which starts at $58,490
What are the different models of Honda Clarity?
If you're interested in the Honda Clarity, the next question is, which Clarity model is right for you? Clarity variants include Plug-In Hybrid 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT), Touring Plug-In Hybrid 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT), and Fuel Cell 4dr Sedan (electric (fuel cell) DD). For a full list of Clarity models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more