2018 Honda Clarity Touring - First Look & Full Review

[@stevegottfried4118]

Good review. I've tested this vehicle multiple times and have visited online forums of owners to find out any issues. Some of the recurring issues have to do with the power of the engine when the battery is depleted. To me, that's kind of a big deal. I've tested it a couple times with a depleted battery and have found some variations depending on the car. Some cars, it's not as noticeable whereas other Clarities it's noisier or has more trouble accelerating or going up steeper grades. I also noticed that the automatic windshield washer pump is impractical. It doesn't spray correctly to cover the windshield. Instead, it dribbles out the tips of the wiper. Wondered if you noticed any of these issues.

[@BradOnCars]

Great vid! Thanks for giving press to this great car! I've had a 2018 for 18 months and 22 000 miles. Zero issues and more than 75% of that in EV! Best of luck with the channel! -Brad

[@gearedtowardsautomotive]

Love to hear that! Thanks for watching! What should we film next?

[@babybear4524]

Is it just as powerful on electric and what kind of acceleration and hp do you get with only electric?

[@yhrad]

First, let me say that this is an excellent video: comprehensive, informative, and very well produced. I actually learned a couple of things that are not covered well in the owner's manual! Honda should take a lesson from this. My wife and I purchased a 2018 Clarity two days ago, on 1/24/18, and we absolutely love it. Some background: We have two cars--a 2015 Nissan LEAF which we bought in late 10/14 and now has 24,500 miles and a 2010 Toyota Camry which we bought new and now has 109,500 miles. I have been searching for a replacement for the Camry. I am a passionate advocate for renewable energy and for EV's and I really wanted another all electric vehicle, but the Chevy Bolt did not have the range or size we wanted and the Tesla was just too expensive. The other PHEV's, including the Prius Prime, just didn't measure up. Most of our driving is around town and covers less than 50 miles a day. However, we often drive 600 miles to visit our daughter and do the 10-hour trip in one day. We really needed a hybrid, preferably a PHEV, with the room and comfort of the Camry. Until I discovered the Clarity last month, I was looking at the Honda Accord Touring Hybrid (not out yet), or the Toyota Camry XLE Hybrid. Both are the top end of their respective models. I drove the Camry and think it is a very nice car. Then I discovered the Clarity. Its MSRP is within hundreds of the top Accord and Camry but, unlike those, it qualifies for the $7500 federal tax credit. We drove the Clarity and fell in love. The Clarity absolutely fits the bill. Most of the time we can drive totally on electric, but when we need the range, the gas engine is there. The gas engine, BTW, is rated at 42 MPG. It's a beautiful car and is almost identical in size to the Camry and Accord, very roomy and comfortable. It is packed with the latest electronics and safety features and gets great mileage. There are a few trade-off--for example, no moon roof--but overall, it's the car for us. Read the reviews and take it for a drive. If you are considering a hybrid, especially a PHEV, I think you will be impressed.

[@josephjohn907]

Perfect! How about now- How many miles in total and how many on Battery only

[@babybear4524]

How do you get that tax credit? Do you have to make a certain amount to qualify? What does it cost comparatively to using gas assuming I only drive maybe 40 miles at a time most days. Can I use only electricity?

[@RichieRichMD]

A thorough and comprehensive review, although perhaps not too different than this 2018 I'm waiting until the end of the year for the 2020 model I'm currently stuck until the end of the year with one of the worst cars I've ever own, a 2015 Lexus RX 350 Fsport dismal MPG and low-quality ride, so the sweet 2020 Clarity plug-in hybrid will mend that wound, once again thank you for the detailed review, I am becoming a subscriber right now.

[@yakuzahi]

If it's a Clarty Touring, talk about the app that let you do so much like remote climate preconditioning and the Walk Away feature.

[@zawhtway9252]

How's the rear seat sitting? is is comfy? Does it still roomy when the front seats move alot back?

[@ocalakid55]

I currently own a 2017 Cadillac CT6 Plug-in Hybrid that with my garage level two charge will fully charge in 4 - 5 hours. I get an average 31 - 32 electric miles per charge. Recently to it on a 4200 mile vacation WEST . Could never find a place to plug it in so my mileage on gas alone was 33.4 MPG . I love all the toys on it like the Birds eye view and the continuing Rear View mirror camera. Having the forward camera has saved me more than once pulling in to close to an object or post. For what a wrote a check for this car ( Sticker Shock ) I am sure had I waited for the Honda Clarity I would have traded the day they showed up on the dealerships lot. Very impressed with the blind spot camera on the right. Dollar for Dollar . I believe the Honda Clarity offers more bang for the buck . Would like to know the front clearance on the car. My Caddy sits so low that tire stops and curbs will take my front end right off with out the front camera .

[@VahidMasrour]

Nice and comprehensive. Thanks!

[@gearedtowardsautomotive]

Thanks for the feedback!What's your favorite feature?

[@gearedtowardsautomotive]

Thanks! What's your favorite feature on the new Clarity?

[@LookingGlass24]

Philip Lombardi I like both ext and int designs. As a hybrid should look like. LOVE the LED lighting throughout, especially in this Solar Silver Metallic. The blinking LED lights look like tiny diamonds against the silver. And the chrome trims blend sell with it. I prefer this dark interior than the creamy beige. What about you? What did u think of this color? Is there a color you’d prefer?

[@maxhansenhomes]

In Canada i get only 59 kms EV charge. That is 36 miles per charge when it is below 0C ( 32F)

[@BradOnCars]

The best I've done in warm weather (also in Canada) is 80km. Worst is 30km in -35.

[@babybear4524]

awesome review. But what does it feel like to drive?

[@frankkucera3570]

Does the Honda Clarity have an AUX port for line in electronic devices?

[@BradOnCars]

Yes it does! Under the "flying bridge" transmission.

[@hyhoops1080]

Where are the front and rear sensors, the accord touring has them? I know it’s a touring, but if I wanted to have the best tech Honda can offer I would go with the accord. In my opinion I would call the insight a plug in hybrid civic but the inside is like a accord.

[@johnsilvester2927]

good informative review

[@vrvray4109]

You have a wireless charging station on the accord why not on the Clarity?

[@vrvray4109]

I agree with your statement. This is a deal breaker for me. I have a 2014 Avalon hybrid that has wireless charging, don't need wires hanging out of the storage area.

[@KracknCorn]

@@vrvray4109 did u just reply to your own comment?

[@helstromh]

@@KracknCorn - LOL, that is quite funny.

[@davidwilson2233]

I own the Clarity PHEV. I have averaged 375 mpg over 5,500 miles. I drive about 18,000 miles a year. My typical range on EV is 58-62 miles in Los Angeles traffic and around town. Most people who drive less than 50 miles daily will get literally hundreds if not in the thousands of mpg. I own a Chevy Volt too. These cars operate similar, but the Volt is a little more pure EV than the Clarity. I wish the Clarity would have a EV only mode regardless of how hard you push the accelerator. Both cars are flawless and have zero problems. My Volt has almost 90,000 miles on it and hasn't had any service in almost two years. I plan on rotating the tires soon and getting its 3rd oil change. Both cars were about $21,000 new after all the government tax credits and rebates (total $9,450). Anyone that talks about the gas motor and power, doesn't understand these vehicles. These are EV vehicles that have a gas motor backup. 95% of the time the Clarity will be operated on battery with a typical driver. This is not a gas hog Prius. Like I said, I'm averaging 375 mpg and I drive 58 miles to work daily. Most drivers will get more mpg if you drive less.

[@larrycbrown1]

nice when will the 2020 clarity be available?

[@A_guan]

I hope the refreshed civic coming in the next year or two won't look like this because I just got one and I would he mad if the refreshed version looks like that

[@gearedtowardsautomotive]

I would hope they don't make the civic look like the clarity. Thanks for the comment!

[@jmasoncars4452]

The refreshed civic will look like the new Insight. www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=1342431

[@SWTrailsAndWheels]

Very nice overview. I hope Honda makes enough of these and makes them truly available nationwide. The price is a great value for what you get. Chevy Volt will have trouble selling after this. Prius Prime is lower priced but this package seems so much better!

[@valenteriolo]

I considered the Ford Fusion Energi, Ford C-max, Chevy Volt, Hyundai PHEV and Prius Prime. I ended up with the Clarity. Beats the others HANDS DOWN!!

[@Chrisb8s]

the back 1/3 of the Clarity is fugly... but the inside is amazing.. I have to go drive one... I think that if it was a choice between the Volt and the Clarity, I would go with the Honda- I just wish that it went further on the e juice..

[@kenmidas2850]

You did a great job displaying the car, I would like you to do a jeep hybrid when it comes out the wrangler thanks ken

[@gearedtowardsautomotive]

Noted! That would be a really cool review!It might be a while haha

[@giveaway6314]

Looks great from inside. Rear fender design is weird

[@101lugia]

Give Away aAA

[@gearedtowardsautomotive]

most people say that. Thanks for watching!

[@haseebjaved10]

Agreed

[@wesa665]

Could you do a short drive in the HV charge mode and HV mode with the battery depleted. This would show how the MPG is on long road trips. I test drove one your Clarity's in HV mode, with the depleted battery, with a result of 41.5mpg. That included two quick accelerations on your test drive loop. This would really help those informed buyers know the effects for each mode without having to put a lot of test drive miles. I know I won't spend 38k until i get a good feeling of the mode operations or see a good video with the results for the HV only and HV charge modes. Good Video.

[@lucasmusicjourney9500]

Zero 0 I just had a test drive today. When the battery is zero, the car is loud and powerless. I understand it will charge the battery while driving, but how long? Without the battery and E motor, it really slow and loud.

[@wesa665]

Kevin, i test drove the car with a dead battery. I didn't find it to be loud or powerless. It felt a little quicker than a Prius and maybe a little quieter than a Prius at full throttle. I was more curious as the MPG when in charge mode.

[@johndonaldson5126]

My experience is it takes about 30 minutes to charge the battery from 2 bars to just over 1/2 full in Charge mode. This was at 70 mph. The car stops charging when the battery is 58% full. When in HV mode on a flat and straight road at 70 mph the car gets about 42 mpg. In HV Charge mode it gets about 32 mpg. There is building evidence that using HV mode when the battery is depleted lowers the mpg. I like to keep some charge on the battery for that reason. All of this is on longer trips though. We go for weeks on electric 100%, only using gas in out of town trips.

[@virtuatag]

Did you say the Touring model has remote start?

[@scottaxness3971]

You can remotely turn on the cabin heat, not start the gasoline engine.

[@robjk]

The touchscreen is actually from the pre-2018 Honda parts bin. The latest 2018 touchscreen (like on the 2018 Accord or CRV) has volume and tuning knobs for the radio. I lease a Clarity FCV in California, and the lack of knobs for volume and tuning is my biggest complaint. I'll never again buy or lease a car without knobs, which means that everyone else with a Tesla Model 3 reservation just moved up one place on the reservation list. The Clarity is a very nice car overall, with the touchscreen being the worst feature.

[@gearedtowardsautomotive]

Thanks for your input Rob! How do you like the clarity other wise?

[@NoPlanC]

I agree but can you adjust the radio volume on the steering wheel? That could be acceptable to me.

[@tanzanable]

RJK - Knobs are so 20th century. Everything is going to touch these days. It's very easy to adjust to touch vs. knobs.

[@ticleve2]

So, just so I get this right, I really don't need to ever plug it in and, therefore, it will operate just like a hybrid. I just don't get the initial EV, totally electric 20 miles.

[@ticleve2]

I'm sorry, 47 initial, totally electric miles.

[@gearedtowardsautomotive]

Sorry I didn’t respond before. You are correct and yes the electric only is 47 miles

[@ClimbLikeAGoat]

No heated steering? That is a deal killer.

[@bextar6365]

Why U not show sticker price in your review ??

[@smoothearl8035]

Bextar636 - he DID show the sticker price ... at 3:28 (you missed it).

[@A_guan]

If I were to buy one. I'd immediately replace the rear fenders and replace it with one where it exposes the whole tire.

[@carlmarschner1427]

On my Crimson pearl the slight fender skirt is not all that noticeable. On the white one at the dealer I didn't like it at all. On mine not so bad.

[@LookingGlass24]

Carl Mars what color did you buy? Did you know that the fender was designed like that for its drag coefficient reduction? It helps the aerodynamics considerably. Replacing it would be at your own peril and you could void out warranty clauses. Do be cautious of you get one.

[@jxmar_]

Looks like the accord

[@gearedtowardsautomotive]

It's a good mix of the civic and accord for sure. Thanks for watching

[@Just-a-guy926]

Actually in person it doesn’t. The Accord is proportioned differently with a longer hood and a lower and wider body.

[@lockedupz7495]

Always the people with 8 miles doing reviews

[@milwaukeetim]

CR hates their reliability. Why?

[@vithursan.b]

The prototype looked nicer in my opinion

[@ShawnVanden]

No sunroof, deal breaker ! Perhaps in future models ?

[@davidleung1119]

handsome looking....

[@BugManRides]

Ugly ducking, almost as ugly as the Prius.. WHY? Why do manufacturers insist on making them so ugly!

[@ticleve2]

Maybe my question was too hard?