What you need to know
The all-new 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid is a sophisticated, spacious and well-equipped five-passenger sedan that will be complemented by its lower-volume sisters the Clarity Fuel Cell and Clarity Electric as Honda leaves no stone unturned in the electrified car sweepstakes. Many will find the Clarity Plug-in the most practical of the triplets, offering a 47-mile all-electric EPA range (highest of any plug-in hybrid sedan) and a 340-mile combined gasoline-electric range. Plus, after the gas tank runs low, you can fill it in a couple of minutes to add another 300 miles of range. Its key advantage over other current plug-in sedans is its interior space, overall size and high level of comfort.
Driving Today Expert Rating
Poor | Good | Better | BEST
Driving it
If you like driving a Honda Accord you’ll like driving the Honda Clarity Plug-in. As you accelerate its power application is silky smooth, approaching the linear smoothness of a pure electric. Transitions from electric drive to hybrid or gasoline power are virtually undetectable. The unobtrusive regenerative braking system obtains braking power from the conventional hydraulic brakes and the electric motor. Clarity’s large glass area makes outward visibility much better than average, and a rear-vision camera system enables brain-free backing up.
Key competitors
Toyota Prius Plug-in, Chevrolet Volt
Price range
Base: $34,290 Fully Equipped: $37,490 Typically Equipped: $35,000
Best feature
47 miles of electric range enabling many trips to be “all electric”
Lacks
Options — you can buy the base model or the more luxurious Touring model but virtually no options are available
Typical buyer (estimated)
Male/Female – 60/40 percent Married/Single – 60/40 percent
Median age – 43 Median Household Income – $120,000
Safety
NHTSA Crash Test Ratings: Overall not rated; Frontal not rated; Rollover not rated
Safety equipment offered: Electronic Stability Control, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Crash Imminent Braking, Dynamic Brake Support
IIHS: Not rated
Fuel Economy
110 MPGe all-electric combined (city-highway) EPA fuel economy 44/40/42 MPG (city/highway/combined) EPA fuel economy
Predicted Reliability
Poor | Good | BETTER | Best
Predicted Cost-to-Own (versus others in segment)
Poor | Good | BETTER | Best
