2018 Honda Clarity Touring Plug-in Hybrid - Review & Test Drive - Smail Ride Along

[@drnovo1686]

this is one of the best car reviews I've watched 👏

[@BradOnCars]

I absolutely LOVE my 2018 Clarity! I've put 40 000 km/27 000 miles or so on it! All but 7000km/4500miles on EV! Smooth, quiet, comfortable, spacious, and dirt-cheap to run! My total non-ICE-related maintenance is a whopping $159 for a "brake inspection." Would buy it again in a hearbeat. Great video! Best of luck with the channel! -Brad

[@Smailhondavillage]

That's awesome, thanks for sharing!

[@jerrybarrax5618]

These are awesome cars. I bought a 2018 model a few months ago and love it. The styling is futuristic and sleek and looks awesome at night. And, using the HV mode during my daily commute, I'm getting 135 MPGe

[@goomba478]

This was insanely well done and SO thorough. Power to you good car dealers out there :). I just bought one of these and LOVE it but my dealer knew next to nothing about it lol. Glad KZbin is so helpful these days ^__^.

[@Smailhondavillage]

Thanks a lot JJ! We're happy to help (:

[@jimwhitman3678]

This guy is fantastic!! I looked at a clarity today in Maryland. Nobody had any idea how this wonderful car works. Justin should teach a class to all Honda dealers. I wish I lived closer to give him my business. Thanks Justin ⚡️⚡️

[@inabrillo9195]

I just recently bought this car 🚙. I like it good in gas. Great video!!!

[@scanrps]

I went on a Honda invite demo drive of the Clarity, and felt rushed. I learn more from this video then the hands on.

[@bmorris336]

Excellent video. I learned so much! Just bought a Clarity in Cincinnati and learned more from your video than from the salesperson!

[@Smailhondavillage]

Glad to hear it! And congratulations on your new Clarity!

[@aTodaCreature]

What a beautiful car. I think I’m in love again.

[@vivian8130]

Wish they'd given this a sunroof instead of the window in the back... one would take the car up a level but the other isn't necessarily necessary. Love it still

[@Smailhondavillage]

That's an interesting idea! Thanks for your input Vivian!

[@TruckerOak]

Fantastic demonstration! Thank you!

[@Smailhondavillage]

Thanks, Oakley!

[@erlisvidal]

This was a great video. Very well put together. I really like this car, my only complain is infotainment system. I don't understand why Honda didn't used the same system that is using in the Accord. Well, maybe on the next model. Thanks for the great video and keep up with the good work.

[@John-qw4vs]

Very good demonstration.... best I've seen yet.....

[@Runtothehills667]

This is one of the more informative demos, thanks! I definitely learned a few things and I've watched many other Clarity videos. I like what you said about being able to leave the e-brake on in traffic, but I'd be using the adaptive cruise in that situation. Also, I would have expanded a bit on the CVT, or more specifically the eCVT. It's not a belt and pulley CVT like most would assume just hearing the term CVT, it's a clutch and I believe a planetary gear. Much simpler!

[@Inviktus94]

It ist actually not a CVT. the Honda accord uses the same transaxle. The Clarity Plug-In operates in three different driving modes, depending on the driving situation, and is able to shift instantly, automatically and seamlessly from one mode to another to optimize overall efficiency: EV Drive In EV Drive mode, the Clarity operates like an all-electric vehicle - the engine is off and is decoupled from the drivetrain to reduce friction. Motive power comes from the 181-horsepower traction motor, which draws electricity from the lithium-ion battery pack. Hybrid Drive In Hybrid Drive mode, the Clarity functions as a series hybrid. Like EV Drive mode, motive power comes from the electric traction motor. The coupled gasoline engine and generator motor produce electricity, which is sent directly to the traction motor or to the battery pack, depending on the driving situation and the battery's state of charge. Engine Drive In Engine Drive mode, which is typically engaged when cruising at medium to high speeds, the Clarity functions as a parallel hybrid. A lock-up clutch connects the engine (always linked to the generator motor) and the traction motor to send power directly from the engine to the front wheels. Unlike most competing hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, the Clarity does not use a conventional transmission, which saves weight and minimizes complexity while improving efficiency. That is what the Honda website says. news.honda.com/newsandviews/article.aspx?id=10081-en

[@johndonaldson5126]

A small point. It isn't the emergency brake that is activated by the Brake Hold button. What that does is hold the brakes on at a stop, like a traffic signal, so you don't have to keep your foot on the brake. When it's time to start the car moving just depress the accelerator pedal. Very nice feature.

[@ej2796]

Yes it is a traditional cvt(just with a electronically controlled hydrolic valve body)...but the planetary gear u are talking about us called a li launch gear. Its basically a CVT with a 1st gear, mainly to reduce stress and wear on the belt/pulley, and also to help acceleration from a stop. After 5-10 mph it switches to to the cvt transmission.

[@russellbrod2019]

Excellent review.Thank you Justin.

[@n4mar]

Great video - I learned some things about the Clarity.

[@williamerazo1685]

Great demonstration

[@lakmalantony8505]

Pretty solid video , well done

[@bobluhrs]

How much floor space for the driver's left foot? I have size 13 feet and if crowded in they get really fatigued, need space to move around a little and rest the left foot. Some cars are really tight there..

[@johndonaldson5126]

It's not a CVT. It is a single speed drive. There is no sensation of shifting at all.

[@yippie6862]

It does use a CVT. You might be thinking of the all electric version.

[@henryhonda8408]

The new Insight uses a E-CVT...... ZERO gears, smooth as silk

[@yippie6862]

Interesting! Thanks.

[@emilioiazzetta3945]

John Donaldson.

[@VahidMasrour]

great details! thanks!

[@TurfSurf]

Almost got a Tesla model 3, but so glad got this one instead!

[@Smailhondavillage]

Good choice!

[@goomba478]

EXACTLY my train of thought. Wanted a Tesla 3 (too expensive at the moment)...considered a Chevy Volt (disappointed in it) and bought a Clarity. Love at first sight.

[@danilopeterson3467]

Well, number of questions: Assuming this model is available in Australia or NZ, are there any versions with right hand drive configuration (as or course both Oz and NY drive on the LEFT). Also I would be more interested in this car without the petrol (fossil-fuel) motor and have a totally 100% ELECTRIC car! Lastly does the speedo also come in km/h format as well}? Ta, mate!

[@A-Gut-of-the-Past]

Well...the car is built in Japan so there's definitely a right side drive format...and so that's a yes to km/hr, too. They're discontinuing the pure electric version (small range...about 140 km) but the fuel cell version is still being made if you want to avoid the ICE.

[@sunrise451]

how much does it cost to recharge the batter overnight..?

[@Rhaman68]

mic S depends on the rate per kWhr and how many kWhr are needed. 17 kWh-2= 15 kWhr Max. Let’s say 10 kwhr needed at 8 cents per.

[@liembui4239]

Does anyone know if this car is a timing belt or timing chain?

[@cesarguerrero8976]

It has a timing chain

[@nairbyad7188]

finally, someone reveals it has a CVT. thanks apparently, you can't choose to run on engine only. I heard it takes 2.5hrs of 220v @ 20amps to fully charge. assuming $0.10/kWhr, that's $1.10 for ~30miles. with gas at $2.20, that's like ~60mpg how much gas does it take to fully charge the batteries? that's key to knowing if this car makes sense. tree hugging doesn't pay the bills!

[@rosetruitt1757]

A full charge is rated at 47 miles, not 30. Using your electric rate, the price to full is $1.70, as this is a 17 kWhr battery, not $1.10. The time it takes is an indication of the flow and not the cost. Cost is a function of kWhr needed to fill the battery, and that's 17. If I use $2.20 per gallon for gas, then this is the equivalent of 61 miles per gallon. Your calculations showed that sometimes two wrongs do make a right. While it has a CVT, it's only used for the very rare case where the gas engine is directly driving the wheels. This only happens at extreme acceleration. Even when you are running on the gas engine (because the battery is depleted), the gas engine is charging the battery and the electric motors are driving the wheels (with direct drive, no transmission).. You wouldn't/can't use the gas engine to fully charge the battery, you would plug it in to the house current. The gas engine will only charge the battery to 57% and that's it.

[@nairbyad7188]

@@rosetruitt1757 thanks for the clarity! btw, based on what i heard here's the math: 2.5hrs * 220v * 20amps = 11,000watt-hours or 11kWhr since it has a 17kWhr battery, then it either takes longer or draws more amps to fully charge.

[@sunrise451]

great electric and gas no worries running out of juice and trying to find a plug in station in the middle of nowhere or nite

[@bradyn19]

Good lord that was like some slow adult explaining the modes. Painful