Used 2021 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid

The 2021 Honda Clarity drapes the same skin over two very different cars. Underneath its unique styling, the Clarity can either be a plug-in gasoline hybrid or a hydrogen fuel-cell-powered sedan.

There’s also a difference in how customers can get hold of each version. The Clarity Plug-in Hybrid is available nationwide and can be bought or leased. The Clarity Fuel Cell is a lease-only prospect and is only offered in certain parts of California where a hydrogen fueling infrastructure is present.

The Plug-in Hybrid offers an impressive all-electric range of 47 miles, far superior to most of its competition. The fuel-cell version is nearly identical, although it surrenders a considerable portion of its trunk space to accommodate the hydrogen storage tank.

As far as competition goes, a few plug-ins might compare, including the Toyota Prius Prime, Hyundai Ioniq, and Volvo S60. The Clarity Fuel Cell has only one real competitor in the hydrogen sedan class, the newly redesigned Toyota Mirai.

The 2021 Honda Clarity might be as technologically advanced as a modern jet aircraft, but its rides and drives like any other Honda sedan. You’ll have to get used to some differences, like the unnatural silence when running in full electric mode. Silence aside, both the Clarity Plug-in Hybrid and Clarity Fuel Cell feel very much like driving Honda’s other big sedan, the Accord.

The steering feel is light but with sufficient feedback, and the brakes have a solid feel with very little pedal travel or softness. Acceleration is pretty quick, but don’t expect Tesla-like 0 to 60 mph times; these electric motors were built for efficiency, not speed.

In the Clarity Fuel Cell, the silent cabin treatment is constant, whereas in the Clarity Plug-in Hybrid, you’ll only enjoy it for about 47 miles, after which the 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine kicks on to feed power to the electric motors. It takes only a short tutorial to learn how to operate the hydrogen fueling station, after which you can fill the Clarity Fuel Cell’s tank in about three to five minutes.

The 2021 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid and Fuel Cell share the same spacious interior. It’s a 5-passenger cabin with excellent headroom and legroom both front and rear. The interior design is modern, bordering on futuristic, with elegant wood inlays seemingly lifted from a Scandinavian luxury sedan. Soft leather seating and faux suede on the dashboard complete the look.

Honda has replaced the traditional shift lever with a row of buttons for engaging the gears. It’s a clever way to save space in the center console and also looks quite cool. Above the gear selector is a large touchscreen for the audio and navigation. It’s more complex than it needs to be and lacks a proper volume knob. Thankfully, the climate panel is still old school.

Cargo space is generous in the Clarity Plug-in Hybrid, which has an accommodating 15.5 cubic-foot trunk and a 60/40-split folding rear seat. Regrettably, the Fuel Cell’s storage tank reduces trunk space to just 11.8 cubic feet and replaces the folding seatback with a fixed back.

It is clear that Honda wanted its 2021 Clarity to be as futuristic-looking as it is technology-advanced, but some may find the design a bit polarizing. We think the new 2021 Toyota Mirai is sleeker without going over the top.

That said, the design combines a series of sharp creases, rounded edges, integrated rear wheel skirts, and lots of black plastic trim to make the Clarity stand out in a crowd. Most of the design cues are functional, meaning they are there to improve aerodynamics and fuel efficiency, not just look wild.

Up front, the styling is more traditional, with familiar Honda design cues augmented by elongated headlights and giant boomerang-shaped DRLs. The rear slanted window makes the Clarity look like a hatchback, but it is all sedan, with a small trunk lid hiding a surprisingly large opening.

PLUG-IN HYBRID
Although GM first had the idea with its short-lived Volt, Honda’s plug-in seems to have gotten the formula just right. The Clarity Plug-in Hybrid can travel at speeds up to 47 miles solely on electricity, after which a small gas engine kicks on to supply power to the electric motor or the wheels. With a range of 340 miles, you can drive uninhibited, freed from the worry of not being able to find a charging station.

HONDA SENSING
Honda’s standard suite of driver assists includes adaptive cruise control, which maintains a constant set distance between the Clarity and car ahead. Also in the package are forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and road departure mitigation.

The 2021 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid comes as a base model or loaded Touring. The Clarity Fuel Cell comes only as one well-equipped model.

Standard equipment includes Honda Sensing, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto integration, Honda LaneWatch right-hand video monitor, push-button start, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, sliding sun visors, heated front seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a 180-watt audio system with 8 speakers.

Move up to the Touring trim, and you’ll get perforated leather seating, an 8-way power driver’s seat with memory, a 4-way power passenger seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, navigation, a compass, and smartphone control of the cabin climate controls.

The Clarity Fuel Cell offers no options and includes all the above-mentioned features, plus a 540-watt, 12-speaker premium audio system, and a head-up display. 

In typical Honda fashion, optional upgrades are built into the trim levels, meaning the only options for the 2021 Clarity Plug-in Hybrid and Clarity Fuel Cell are those installed by the dealer. 

Electricity is a big part of the 2021 Honda Clarity’s propulsion system, but to what degree depends largely on which model you choose.

The Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid employs a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder gas engine teamed with a battery-fed electric motor. In combination, the two produce a respectable 212 horsepower. On its own, the electric motor generates 181 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque. With its gas tank filled and battery charged, the Clarity Plug-in Hybrid can travel 340 miles. Honda allows the driver to choose various modes such as Normal, Econ, Sport, and HV, all designed to vary the vehicle’s performance and efficiency. 

The Clarity Fuel Cell is a bit more complicated, powered solely by the electricity generated from a hydrogen fuel cell. A fuel cell is a device that chemically combines oxygen and hydrogen to produce an electrical charge, with the only byproduct being heat and water vapor. It’s the ultimate green technology.

Filling a fuel-cell car is very similar to using a gas pump. Simply pay at the pump, attach the special nozzle to the filler, wait about 5 minutes and then get in and go. With the Clarity Fuel Cell, you’ll get an additional 20 miles total range over the hybrid.

Clarity Plug-in Hybrid
1.5-liter 4-cylinder + electric motor
Total horsepower: 212 horsepower
EPA city/highway/combined: 42 mpg, 110 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent, electric-only)
Range on a full charge: 47 miles
Combined range: 340 miles

Clarity Fuel Cell
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell with AC Permanent-Magnet Synchronous electric motor
174 horsepower @ 4,501-9,028 rpm
221 lb-ft of torque @ 0-3,500 rpm
EPA city/highway mpg equivalent: 68/67 MPGe
Range: 360 miles