Honda Clarity Line Expands Beyond Fuel-Cell Offering
As part of its ongoing plan to expand alternative-fuel options for consumers, Honda announced the all-new Clarity line of vehicles. Following the introduction of the Clarity FCV fuel-cell vehicle at the 2016 New York auto show, Honda has added Clarity Electric and Clarity Plug-In Hybrid versions.
The Honda Clarity FCV will launch in late 2016, initially at select dealerships in California. When we examined it at the New York auto show, we found it roomy and comfortable, with space for five passengers. The new-generation hydrogen fuel cell and powertrain are more compact than in past versions, and are now similar in size to a V6 engine. Honda says the FCV will have a driving range beyond 300 miles, and will take three to five minutes to fully fuel with hydrogen. The FCV is expected to lease for less than $500 per month, at a retail price of $60,000.
Following the FCV's debut, the Honda Clarity Electric will arrive in early 2017. It will most likely be offered in states that follow California’s emissions laws, including Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. Honda says the Clarity Electric will be the “first affordable, midsize, five-passenger battery electric vehicle (BEV) to offer premium content and features.” While pricing and range haven’t been announced, if the electric Clarity can go 200 miles between charges, then the Tesla Model 3 just gained another competitor.
The volume leader in the Honda Clarity family—the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid—arrives later in 2017. This version will be offered in all 50 states and will feature a 40-mile all-electric range as well as a gasoline-hybrid extended range mode. This is likely to feature the engine working as a generator to keep the battery charged. If that range holds true, it’s nearly double what Toyota has announced for the new Prius Prime plug-in hybrid (shown below), and 15 miles more than that of the Hyundai Ioniq plug-in version. Hyundai’s Ioniq line will also offer three different alternative-fuel powertrains: hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and full electric.
All versions of the Clarity will come standard with the Honda Sensing safety suite, which includes forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, road departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control.
Consumer Reports believes forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking should be standard on every new vehicle. Find out which vehicles come with these advanced safety systems.
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