The Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid: A Final Look at a Pioneering Plug-In

The Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid: A Final Look at a Pioneering Plug-In

The Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) arrived with a mission: to offer a practical, efficient, and eco-conscious alternative to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. While Honda has since discontinued the Clarity PHEV, its impact on the plug-in hybrid landscape remains significant. In this review, we’ll take a detailed look at the last model year of the Clarity PHEV, examining its strengths, weaknesses, and overall value proposition.

Exterior Design: Aerodynamic Efficiency

The Clarity PHEV’s exterior design is a clear departure from conventional aesthetics. It prioritizes aerodynamic efficiency, which is crucial for maximizing fuel economy and electric range. The low-slung profile, smooth lines, and sculpted surfaces contribute to its slippery shape.

Key exterior features include:

• Unique Styling: The Clarity’s design is distinctive, with a focus on aerodynamic efficiency. It features a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and a sloping roofline.

• LED Lighting: Standard LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights provide excellent visibility and contribute to the car’s modern appearance.

• Aerodynamic Wheels: The alloy wheels are designed to minimize air turbulence and improve fuel economy.

• Charging Port: The charging port is conveniently located on the front fender, allowing for easy access when plugging in.

Interior Comfort and Technology: A Spacious, Well-Equipped Cabin

Inside, the Clarity PHEV offers a spacious and comfortable cabin with ample room for passengers and cargo. The interior design is modern and functional, with high-quality materials and a focus on user-friendliness.

Key interior features include:

• Spacious Seating: The Clarity PHEV comfortably seats five adults, with plenty of legroom and headroom in both the front and rear.

• Premium Materials: The interior is trimmed with soft-touch materials, giving it a premium feel.

• Infotainment System: An 8-inch touchscreen display serves as the centerpiece of the infotainment system. It includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, allowing for seamless smartphone integration.

• Honda Sensing: The Clarity PHEV comes standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced safety and driver-assistance features. This includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking.

• Digital Instrument Cluster: A digital instrument cluster provides clear and concise information about the car’s speed, fuel economy, and battery charge level.

Performance and Efficiency: Electric Power and Gasoline Backup

The Clarity PHEV’s powertrain combines an electric motor with a gasoline engine, offering the best of both worlds. It can travel a significant distance on electric power alone, making it ideal for daily commutes and errands. When the battery is depleted, the gasoline engine seamlessly kicks in, providing extended range for longer trips.

Key performance and efficiency features include:

• Electric Motor: The electric motor produces 181 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque, providing brisk acceleration and smooth performance.

• Gasoline Engine: A 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine acts as a generator to recharge the battery and provide additional power when needed.

• Battery Pack: A 17-kWh lithium-ion battery pack provides an EPA-estimated all-electric range of 47 miles.

• Fuel Economy: The Clarity PHEV achieves an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 44 mpg combined when operating in hybrid mode.

• Driving Modes: The Clarity PHEV offers multiple driving modes, including Econ, Normal, and Sport, allowing drivers to tailor the car’s performance to their preferences. There is also a HV mode that maintains the battery level for later use.

Driving Experience: Smooth, Quiet, and Refined

The Clarity PHEV delivers a smooth, quiet, and refined driving experience. The electric motor provides instant torque, resulting in quick acceleration and responsive handling. The suspension is well-tuned, providing a comfortable ride over a variety of road surfaces.

Key driving experience features include:

• Smooth Acceleration: The electric motor provides instant torque, resulting in smooth and effortless acceleration.

• Quiet Operation: The electric motor operates silently, creating a serene and relaxing driving environment.

• Comfortable Ride: The suspension is well-tuned, providing a comfortable and controlled ride.

• Regenerative Braking: The regenerative braking system captures energy during deceleration, helping to recharge the battery and extend the car’s range.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Significant all-electric range (47 miles)
• Excellent fuel economy in hybrid mode (44 mpg combined)
• Spacious and comfortable interior
• Standard Honda Sensing safety features
• Smooth and quiet driving experience
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Compatibility

Cons:

• Styling may not appeal to everyone
• Discontinued model (limited availability)
• Infotainment system can be slow at times

Overall Value

While the Honda Clarity PHEV is no longer in production, it remains a compelling option for those seeking a fuel-efficient and eco-friendly vehicle. Its significant all-electric range, excellent fuel economy, spacious interior, and standard safety features make it a practical and versatile choice. Used models can offer excellent value for those willing to embrace a plug-in hybrid.

Who Should Consider the Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid?

The Clarity PHEV is well-suited for:

• Commuters: Its all-electric range is ideal for daily commutes and errands.
• Environmentally Conscious Drivers: It offers a significant reduction in emissions compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.
• Families: The spacious interior provides ample room for passengers and cargo.
• Tech-Savvy Buyers: It comes standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a suite of advanced safety features.

Final Thoughts

The Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid may have reached the end of its production run, but its legacy as a pioneering plug-in hybrid lives on. It demonstrated that electric vehicles can be practical, efficient, and enjoyable to drive. While newer PHEVs have emerged with even greater range and features, the Clarity PHEV remains a worthy contender in the used car market, offering a blend of fuel efficiency, comfort, and technology that is hard to beat. If you can find a well-maintained used model, it’s definitely worth considering as a step towards a greener and more sustainable future.