2020 Honda Clarity Review

Name: 2020 Honda Clarity Review
Brand: Honda

+172

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.

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Honda Clarity model years

Honda Clarity for Sale

Honda Clarity types

Sedan
Plug-in Hybrid

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2020 Honda Clarity Review

byRyan ZumMallen^{Contributor
Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.}

Pros

Comfortable, well-appointed cabin
PHEV's long electric driving range
Near-silent ride with little noise intrusion

Cons

Limited availability for Clarity Fuel Cell
Touchscreen infotainment system can be cumbersome to use
Polarizing styling

What's new

Heated side mirrors now standard on the fuel cell version
Battery electric version discontinued
Part of the first Clarity generation introduced for 2017

Overview

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.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 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 $3.13 per gallon for regular unleaded and $0.15 per kWh for electricity in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$72/mo

$163/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

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.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The 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.}

Average

7.2

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7/10

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.

Comfort

7.5/10

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.

Interior

8/10

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.

Technology

7/10

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.

Storage

7.5/10

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.

Fuel Economy

8/10

How’s the fuel economy? 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.

Value

7/10

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

6.5/10

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?

The Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is our clear choice when it comes to maximizing efficiency and minimizing headache. The base version offers standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus heated front seats and Honda's suite of advanced safety technology.

2020 Honda Clarity models

The Honda Clarity is a four-door sedan with two powertrains from which to choose: Plug-In Hybrid or Fuel Cell.

The 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 48 electric-only miles of range. The engine is EPA-rated at 42 mpg combined when operating in hybrid mode.

Honda offers the plug-in hybrid in two trims: Base and Touring. The base version comes with an 8-inch touchscreen with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, plus heated front seats, automatic wipers, and the Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety features. The Touring trim adds leather seats and a power-adjustable driver's seat, plus factory navigation and a synthetic suede interior.

The Clarity Fuel Cell operates via hydrogen tanks underneath the car. A fuel cell assembly turns the hydrogen into electricity, which powers an electric motor (174 hp, 221 lb-ft). Essentially, it operates much like a fully electric vehicle that occasionally needs a hydrogen fill-up. When full, the Clarity Fuel Cell has up to 360 miles of range. Only one version is available, and it includes leather-trimmed seats that are heated in front, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an 8-inch touchscreen, 12-speaker premium audio system and Honda Sensing safety technology.

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 Honda Clarity.

5 (67%)

4 (5%)

3 (8%)

2 (3%)

1 (17%)

4.0

36 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

I’m averaging 500+ mpg. Love this car.

D. W., 04/09/2019

2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Currently I have gone 1,900 miles and still have over 1/2 a tank of gas. I may go 5,000 miles on a single tank of gas (7 gallon tank). Mileage is incredible. I plug in a work for free so electricity cost is low. It usually costs $1.40 cents to charge at home and I can travel 50-60 miles per charge. My daily work commute is 56 miles and I make it 99% of the time on all electric. The …

Best car investment I could make

Susan in Portland, 08/07/2019

2019 Honda Clarity Touring Plug-In Hybrid 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Pro: I've owned my Clarity Touring for four months now (2300 miles) and taken it on several 300+ mile trips as well as lots of in-town driving. I feel like a genius for having bought one. The PHEV is the best of both worlds, so I don't mind paying a little for gas on a long trip (even though Hybrid Charging does save on the gas, as does its native 40+ miles per gallon. Of all the … vehicles in this price range I've seen around the charging stations, my Clarity Touring is by far the roomiest, most cushy, comfortable, well-built of the lot. Has enough pep to make merging no big deal and the updated tech/safety features are considerable. I don't mind the wheel covers or the fact that there is no volume knob on the infotainment console (my iPhone doesn't have one either). Voice commands, Apple Carplay and Android Auto both work like a charm, and the app, while not super robust, works well enough. I LOVE THIS CAR. Con: The only drawback to buying this car is that Honda doesn't seem to adequately train dealers in how to support them. (Indeed, I'm not sure all dealers even know they are a Honda product with the lack of marketing and distribution!) I am not confident that my local dealer knows a lot about these cars or any quirks they may have, and since Honda has put little effort in educating them, it is not surprising that a few folks are unhappy. I feel for the guys who have had issues that aren't getting resolved, but I would point the finger directly at Honda support and the dealers. Shame on them for not supporting a very high quality product that could otherwise have a much wider market! UPDATE: Clara-T is now almost a year old, with 6k miles. All the hybrid miles are highway (long trips) and do net me over 40 mpg. The really great thing is the in-town range is enough that I can use only electric power. I charge at night so I get those electrons almost free. It is a solid, luxurious, 5 passenger car that makes me look and feel like a genius for snagging one. No issues to date. I still love this car! UPDATE 2021: I still love this car and feel like a genius for buying it. It’s the best car I have ever owned. I’m loving the money I’ve saved, too. UPDATE 2022: Still LOVE THIS CAR! Due to COVID disruption in my life, it only has 15k miles on it, 90% EV. No problems whatsoever. I think the geniuses at Honda America were so wrong to discontinue such a brilliant car, especially now that EVs are really gaining traction (sorry, pun) in the market. I think that the market value of my used Clarity PHEV in these admittedly wacko times makes this the smartest car investment I have ever made.

Love our 2018 clarity!

Kevin, 04/20/2019

2019 Honda Clarity Touring Plug-In Hybrid 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Love, Love, Love this car. Once you get past the skirts on the rear wheel wells (which apparently many people like) there really is nothing not to like. I mean, we got the $7500 tax credit, and have put over 5000mi since December and have probably filled the 7gal tank about 8x. When on the highway I’ve found I’ll get overall better mpg if I put it in hv mode, leaving the battery charged …

The Clear Choice is Clarity

Curt Barnett, 04/22/2019

2019 Honda Clarity Electric 4dr Sedan (electric DD)

We have owned a Volt for 3 years and our other car was totaled and needed to buy a new car. With GM abandoning the Volt, we looked at all plug-in hybrid options. By far the best choice is the Honda Clarity, and we even like it better than the Volt. It gets about the same electric range (about 47 miles) and total range (400 miles), but it is way more spacious and comfortable. The tech is …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2020 Honda Clarity, so we've included reviews for other years of the Clarity since its last redesign.

See all 36 reviews of the Honda Clarity

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2020 Clarity Highlights

Type:

Sedan

Trim:

Plug-In Hybrid

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$33,400
EV Tax Credits & Rebates	$4,125 Based on income
Engine Type	Plug-in hybrid
EPA Electric Range	47 miles
Combined MPGe (Electric + Gas)	110 MPGe^{MPGe is the official metric that the EPA uses to measure the efficiency of alternative-fuel (including electric) vehicles. Just like regular MPG shows how far a car will travel on one gallon of gas, MPGe shows how far a vehicle will drive on 33.7kWh of electricity - the energy equivalent of one gallon of gasoline. Combined MPGe is the combined total of 45% city MPGe + 55% highway MPGe.}
Cost to Drive	$72/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	2.5 hours
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Clarity models:

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.

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2020 Honda Clarity Review

2020 Honda Clarity Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

What's it like to live with the Clarity Fuel Cell EV?

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Clarity does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Honda Clarity models

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 Honda Clarity.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

I’m averaging 500+ mpg. Love this car.

Best car investment I could make

Love our 2018 clarity!

The Clear Choice is Clarity

2020 Clarity Highlights

Safety

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