2021 Honda Clarity
MSRP range: $33,400 - $58,490
7.2/10
Edmunds Rating
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 Testing 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.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
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.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.85 per gallon for regular unleaded and $0.13 per kWh for electricity in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$75/mo
Clarity Plug-In Hybrid
vs
$204/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
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.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Save as much as $3,541 with Edmunds Click on the model you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal.
2021 Honda Clarity pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Plug-In Hybrid
1.5L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT
Edmunds suggests you pay$34,515
Touring Plug-In Hybrid
1.5L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT
Edmunds suggests you pay$37,725
Fuel Cell
fuel cell) DD
Edmunds suggests you pay$55,964
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.
Helpful shopping links
2021 Honda Clarity Sedan Features & Specs
- Total MSRP
- $34,415
- MPG & Fuel
- Electric + Gas (Combined City & Hwy): 110 MPGe
- Gas Only (Combined City & Hwy): 42 MPG
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 7.0 gal. capacity
- EPA Battery & Range
- Time To Charge Battery (At 240V)This can be tough to pin down, but we assume for simplicity that the 240V power source will enable the vehicle's onboard charger to operate at full capacity, and that the battery is fully depleted and will be recharged to 100%. Given those assumptions, the value provided is simply the battery's capacity divided by the onboard charger's power rating. For example, a battery rated at 100 kWh will need 12.5 hours to recharge fully using an 8.0-kW charger.: 2.5 hr.
- EPA Electricity RangeThis value is the estimated number of miles that a vehicle can travel in combined city and highway driving (using a mix of 55% highway and 45% city driving) before needing to be recharged, according to the EPA's testing methodology.: 47 mi.
- Gas Range in Miles (Cty/Hwy): 308.0/280.0 mi.
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: front wheel drive
- Transmission: Continuously variable-speed automatic
- Engine
- Inline 4 cylinder
- Horsepower: 212 hp @ 5500 rpm
- Basic Warranty
- 3 yr./ 36000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 192.7 in. / Height: 58.2 in.
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 73.9 in.
- Curb Weight: 4052 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 15.5 cu.ft.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Clarity safety features:
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Helps maintain a constant speed and a set distance behind a vehicle ahead of you and can bring you to a complete stop.
- Lane Keeping Assist/Departure Warning
- Automatically applies steering to help keep your vehicle in the lane and alerts you if you cross over a lane line without signaling.
- Honda LaneWatch
- Displays live video of the passenger-adjacent lane using a small camera on the side mirror whenever the right turn signal is used.
Honda Clarity vs. the competition
2021 Honda Clarity
2021 Toyota Mirai
Honda Clarity vs. Toyota Mirai
The Toyota Mirai has been completely redesigned for 2021, ditching the outgoing model's divisive design and front-wheel-drive layout in favor of a sleek rear-wheel-drive sedan. Unlike the Clarity, the Mirai isn't available as a hybrid, so this fuel cell Toyota is only available in California.
Honda Clarity vs. Subaru Crosstrek
The Subaru Crosstrek is both one of our favorite plug-in hybrids as well as one of the most affordable ones on sale today. Don't be fooled by its small size. The Crosstrek Hybrid offers about the same passenger space as the Clarity and slightly more cargo space. It also has standard all-wheel drive. Unfortunately for Subaru, the Crosstrek's paltry 17 miles of range is dwarfed by the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid's 47 miles.
Honda Clarity vs. Toyota Prius Prime
The Toyota Prius Prime is a plug-in hybrid version of the car that helped make hybrids popular in the first place. The Prius Prime's 25 miles of all-electric range is far short of the Clarity PHEV's 47 miles of range. Yet though the Prius Prime is slightly smaller, it packs more cargo space than the Clarity. Toyota also offers the RAV4 Prime if you're looking for even more space.
People who viewed this also viewed
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. 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 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. 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
