2020 Honda Clarity Hybrid
2020 Honda Clarity Review
- Comfortable, well-appointed cabin
- PHEV's long electric driving range
- Near-silent ride with little noise intrusion
- Limited availability for Clarity Fuel Cell
- Touchscreen infotainment system can be cumbersome to use
- Polarizing styling
- Heated side mirrors now standard on the fuel cell version
- Battery electric version discontinued
- Part of the first Clarity generation introduced for 2017
The Honda Clarity is an advanced fuel vehicle available in two variants designed to appeal to eco-conscious buyers. If you can only charge once in a while, there's the plug-in hybrid, or PHEV, with 48 miles of electric range and a gas-powered hybrid mode for backup. If you live in California and within range of a hydrogen refueling station, there's the Clarity Fuel Cell EV and its 360 miles of range. There also used to be a battery electric version, but Honda discontinued it for 2020.
Once you're behind the wheel, the Clarity drives just like any other drama-free midsize sedan. It's smooth and comfortable on the road, with amenable but not exciting acceleration and handling. It comes with a few concessions, such as limited cargo space and a dated infotainment system. You might also find the ride quality to be a little too soft, especially if you're used to the more taut feel from other Honda sedans.
Still, the Clarity is worth checking out if you're looking for a vehicle to reduce your gasoline consumption. The plug-in hybrid gives you more all-electric range than just about any other competitive vehicle, making it easier to drive for days or weeks at a time without ever using the gas engine. The hydrogen model is a harder sell given its niche status. Either way, Honda has put together an imperfect but likable vision of what the future may hold.
What's it like to live with the Clarity Fuel Cell EV?
Want to know what it is like to own a Honda Clarity Fuel Cell EV? Check out our impressions from our long-term test of a 2017 Clarity Fuel Cell. How close is it to an EV or a gas car? How much did we like the interior? Was the trunk sufficient for everyday use? How easy is it to fuel up? Learn this and more from our time with the Clarity. Note that the 2020 Clarity Fuel Cell EV differs slightly from the 2017 model we tested — heated side mirrors are now standard — but our coverage is otherwise applicable.
Our verdict | |
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. | |
How does the Clarity drive? | |
The Clarity is docile and easy to drive, owing to its electric power that produces smooth and quick acceleration from a stop. The Clarity starts to feel less energetic as you get up to highway speeds, but for typical driving it's sufficiently powerful. The steering is direct and requires appropriate heft at speed, even if there isn't much feedback or response. Handling is a similar experience, with good composure around corners but a lack of sharpness that leaves it feeling heavy. The Clarity only just makes the grade in the braking category, with good performance in routine driving but numb feedback in more demanding situations. | |
How comfortable is the Clarity? | |
Strong build quality means little outside noise makes its way into the cabin. That's crucial in a vehicle that can run in silent EV mode. Noise from the engine is not intrusive when it kicks in either. The Clarity works with its battery power instead of fighting it. The same can't be said for the ride quality, however. The Clarity has a very soft suspension, which is comfortable on smooth roads, but the car struggles to control its own mass over bumps. We do like the front seats, which have soft padding and a comfortable back seat. | |
How’s the interior? | |
It's easy to get in and out of the Clarity thanks to an accessible ride height, grab handles in each doorway, and a roofline that stays out of the way. The driving position is also suitable, though some may wish for a seat that lowers and a steering wheel that extends a bit more. The bigger issue is that neither the push-button transmission selector nor the infotainment touchscreen is very responsive. But the roomy cabin provides comfortable space and a low beltline offers excellent outward visibility. | |
How’s the tech? | |
A difficult-to-use 8-inch touchscreen interface drags down an otherwise pleasant tech experience. The graphics are outdated, touch targets are small, and a slider to control the volume is irritating. Basic functions should not be this difficult, especially in a moving vehicle. Bluetooth pairing and a USB port are standard. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is included, but transitions between them and Honda systems are rough. The factory voice control system is effective and understands natural language to control the phone, navigation and audio. | |
How’s the storage? | |
The plug-in version of the Clarity offers the most cargo room, at 15.5 cubic feet. Unfortunately the load floor isn't flat, and the space narrows toward the seat backs. The rear seats do fold down in the plug-in as opposed to the fuel-cell version. Overall, the Clarity offers acceptable rear storage considering its bulky alternative fuel systems. And there's plenty of small-item storage throughout the cabin. | |
How economical is the Clarity? | |
The Clarity PHEV backs up its eco-friendly claims. We averaged 52 miles of all-electric driving from a full charge. With a depleted battery in the PHEV, we logged 48 mpg on our 115-mile test loop of city, mountain and highway driving. | |
Is the Clarity a good value? | |
You pay more for the Honda Clarity Plug-In compared with its closest rival, the Toyota Prius Prime, but in return you get higher build quality and more space. Simulated open-pore wood and suede accents in the cabin are appreciated, if lacking a little spice with muted colors and tones. Warranty coverage is average. Honda backs the hybrid battery for eight years/100,000 miles. | |
Wildcard | |
The Clarity PHEV offers a glimpse at the advantages of plug-in hybrids over electric vehicles. It's smooth and clean, encouraging drivers to experiment with their driving style to maximize efficiency. How long you can go without activating the gas engine, and how well you manage it once it does, becomes a game in itself. The Clarity takes a toned-down approach, and while that may not make for the most exciting drive, it's one that makes a green future easy to imagine. | |
Which Clarity does Edmunds recommend?
Honda Clarity models
The Honda Clarity is a four-door sedan with two powertrains from which to choose: Plug-In Hybrid or Fuel Cell.
2020 Honda Clarity Hybrid pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2020 Honda Clarity.
Trending topics in reviews
- road noise
- acceleration
- dashboard
- fuel efficiency
Most helpful consumer reviews
Features & Specs
- Base MSRP
- $33,400
- MPG & Fuel
- 44 City / 40 Hwy / 42 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 7.0 gal. capacity
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: front wheel drive
- Transmission: Continuously variable-speed automatic
- Engine
- Inline 4 cylinder
- Horsepower: 212 hp @ 5500 rpm
- Torque: N/A
- Basic Warranty
- 3 yr./ 36000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 192.7 in. / Height: 58.2 in.
- Overall Width with Mirrors: N/A
- 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 vehicle speed and a set following interval 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
2020 Honda Clarity
2019 Toyota Mirai
Honda Clarity vs. Toyota Mirai
Like the Clarity, the Toyota Mirai is a four-door hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Unlike the Clarity, the Mirai doesn't have a hybrid variant, and it's available only in California. The Mirai takes the stress out of ownership with easy hydrogen fill-ups and a great ride. A redesigned Mirai is set to debut for 2021.
Honda Clarity vs. Toyota Prius Prime
At its price, it's hard to beat the Prius Prime. The plug-in hybrid offers 25 miles of all-electric driving, plus an efficient four-cylinder engine that kicks in when the juice runs out. It now comes with five seats, more USB ports, and standard Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa. The Clarity Plug-In has it beat when it comes to EV range, but if you're on a budget and don't need extra cargo space, the Prius Prime is an excellent option.
Honda Clarity vs. Subaru Crosstrek
Compared to the Clarity, the Crosstrek Hybrid offers more space for luggage and gear. You also get all-wheel drive. From a general standpoint, it's a more versatile vehicle than the Clarity. But its plug-in electric range is just 17 miles. Fuel economy once the battery is depleted isn't as good either.
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FAQ
Is the Honda Clarity a good car?
What's new in the 2020 Honda Clarity?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2020 Honda Clarity:
- Heated side mirrors now standard on the fuel cell version
- Battery electric version discontinued
- Part of the first Clarity generation introduced for 2017
Is the Honda Clarity reliable?
Is the 2020 Honda Clarity a good car?
How much should I pay for a 2020 Honda Clarity?
The least-expensive 2020 Honda Clarity is the 2020 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $33,400.
Other versions include:
- Touring Plug-In Hybrid 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $36,600
- Plug-In Hybrid 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $33,400