Flash Drive

2018 Honda Clarity

December 20, 2018 - Behind The Wheel - Comments: 
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Model Tested: 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Touring

The 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid features unique styling over a very functional sedan.

Engine:1.5-liter I-4 gas plus electric motor, 212-horsepower, 232 lb-ft torque

Transmission: CVT automatictransmission, front-wheel-drive

EPA Rating: 42 mpg gas only, 110 mpg electricity + gas

Base Price: $36,600

As Tested: $37,490

Performance:

Great hybrid fuel economy—we averaged between 62 and 70 mpg

The 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid has a handy recharging port on the left front fender.

Good smooth acceleration

Very pleasant highway ride

47-mile range electric only, 300+ miles hybrid mode

Adaptive cruise control

Lane Keeping Assist

Collision Mitigation Braking System

Engine modes: Econ, Sport, HV

Paddle shifters

Comfort:

Spacious, quiet, comfortable interior

The rear view shows the unique view port in the trunk lid.

Nice leather trimmed seats

No power lumbar, but seats are still supportive

Heated front seats

Stretch-out driver and front passenger legroom

Excellent rear seat leg and knee room

An adult can fit in middle position by straddling wide center hump

Soft center armrest

Thick, nicely contoured leather-

Front seat room and comfort are outstanding.

wrapped steering wheel

Good range tilt/telescopic steering column

Utility:

Split, folding rear seats have noticeable slope

Small, tight pass-through from trunk

Main trunk floor is flat, but it slopes over rear axle

Noticeable wheelwell intrusion in trunk

Electric charging cable stored in bin

Rear seat room and comfort are also excellent.

beneath trunk floor

Oversized infotainment screen

Good gauges with lots of info

Very nice seatback storage pouches

Two small bonus pouches for smart phones

Large open storage area underneath forward section of console

Medium console bin

Large non-locking glovebox

Medium front door bins

There’s a large open storage area beneath the center console.

LED interior lamps

Small, but deep rear door bins

WOW Factors:

Impressive fuel economy

Roomy interior for 4 or 5 adults

Dash camera display during right turns

Whines:

Polarizing styling

Odd rear window looks through trunk lid

Bottom Line:

The 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid’s trunk isn’t very flat.

The Honda Clarity is a very comfortable, spacious, highly fuel-efficient sedan in an unusual wrapper. The odd, angular styling left us cold, but everything else about the Honda Clarity PHEV was warm and fuzzy.