Is the 2022 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid a Good Car?
Honda discontinued their Clarity Plug-in hybrid after the 2021 model year, but new models are still available for purchase at many dealerships.
Written by Sarah Gray
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Honda
ceased production on the Clarity Plug-in hybrid
in August of 2021, but the car is far from sold out. New examples can still be found on dealer lots across the country, and you can still lease a fuel-cell Clarity through the end of 2022.Honda introduced the Clarity in 2017 as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, and an EV. But, they’ve now discontinued the full lineup as they shift their focus to full-electric and fuel-cell vehicles only. In fact, Honda plans to sell nothing but battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles by 2040.
If you want to get your hands on one of Honda’s last PHEVs, the 2021 Clarity, or you just want to know more about what the car has to offer, read on.
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2022 Honda Clarity Plug-in hybrid
While the Honda Clarity Plug-in hybrid did not return to production for the 2022 model year, that doesn’t mean you can’t still find a new one on many dealer lots.
While sales on Honda’s Clarity PHEV weren’t strong—hence its discontinuation—it’s actually pretty competitive in its segment. With a nicely equipped cabin, a smooth, quiet ride, and above-average electric-only range, the 2021 Honda Clarity PHEV is a tempting option for fuel efficiency.
Pricing
The 2021 Honda Clarity PHEV’s original starting MSRP was $34,415, which will still be the case on the lot today. This is more expensive than other cars in its class, but not completely out of the range one might expect to pay for a mid-size family sedan. However, when you note you’ll be getting a 2021 instead of a 2022, that price becomes much less appealing.
Performance and fuel economy
This is one area in which the Honda Clarity PHEV truly shined, with an above-average electric-only range and excellent fuel economy thereafter.
The Clarity features a 1.5-liter four-cylinder mated to a 17-kilowatt electric motor and direct-drive automatic transmission. A full charge at a Level 2 station will take about 2.5 hours, but you’ll need as many as 12 hours to charge up on a standard household current.
Once you’ve got your charge, though, you’re looking at an all-electric range of up to 48 miles followed by 42 mpg combined fuel economy making a combined gas/electric rating of 110 MPGe.
While the Clarity isn’t the peppiest of PHEVs, it will scoot to 60 in just 7.7 seconds thanks to the 212 horses.
Exterior styling
When it comes to styling, the Honda Clarity PHEV is the automotive equivalent of a nice pair of khakis. Casually understated and unassuming, it’s not the car for you if you’re looking to turn heads. That said, it's a style that never goes out of fashion. Adding to the simplistic appeal, Honda keeps the color palette simple, with just four choices—all in shades of white, gray, or black.
Interior and comfort
If the Clarity’s exterior is a nice pair of khakis, the interior is the equivalent of a good-quality button-down shirt. It’s appropriately upscale without being overly dressy, unapologetically comfortable, and unflinchingly logical. What’s more, the quality materials are durable enough to look great even after miles of punishment from the whole family.
Technology
The 2021 Honda Clarity PHEV is no luxury sedan, but that doesn’t mean it’s all bare-bones. The PHEV is available in two trims—Base and Touring. The base model offers several standard features, such as:
- Honda Sensing technology with collision mitigation, lane keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control
- Honda LaneWatch Blind-spot monitoring
- LED headlights
- Keyless entry with push button start
Those who opted for the Touring trim were also treated to a factory navigation system.
Warranty coverage
Honda offers drivers of the Clarity PHEV a standard powertrain and limited vehicle warranty as well as a limited hybrid battery warranty:
- 5 year or 60,000-mile standard powertrain warranty
- 3 year or 36,000-mile limited warranty
- 8-year limited battery warranty
Trim levels and options
The 2021 Honda Clarity PHEV is available in Base and Touring trims. While the Touring trim offers a few luxe features that would certainly appeal to those who spend a lot of time in their cars, the base model likely includes more than enough options for the average driver.
Let’s look at some of the base model’s standard features:
- 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Heated front seats
- 8-speaker audio system
Upgrading to the Touring trim adds:
- Power-adjustable front seats
- Leather upholstery
- Navigation system
No packages or options were offered on either trim.
The bottom line
If you’re looking for a 2022 PHEV, the Honda Clarity isn’t for you, but if you don’t mind not having the very latest model year, the Clarity PHEV may be a good option for you. It doesn’t offer the futuristic styling we often associate with PHEVs and electric vehicles, but that’s part of its appeal. It is a great, basic, mid-size option for those looking to increase fuel efficiency.
2021 Honda Clarity PHEV vs. 2022 Toyota Prius Prime
While the Clarity may not be back for 2022, its competition is still out there, so let’s see how it stacks up against some of the new models you could get when you head to the dealership. First up—the
Toyota Prius Prime
.It’s tough to have any conversation about hybrid vehicles without mentioning the O.G. Prius, but the plug-in hybrid Prime hasn’t been quite as successful as its standard hybrid cousin. Its rather meager all-electric range of only 25 miles is only about half that of the Clarity’s, but that’s where the competition seems to end.
The Prius Prime’s fuel economy is obviously the better of the two. Plus, if one of the main points of fuel economy is saving money, then it only makes sense that you’d also want to save upfront with the Prius Prime’s starting price that’s about $5k lower than the Clarity’s.
Model | Starting price | Fuel economy (gas only) | Fuel economy (gas + electric) | Driving range | Charging time (Level 2) | Hybrid battery warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid | $34,600 | 42 mpg | 110 MPGe | 48 miles | 2.5 hours | 8 years |
2021 Toyota Prius Prime | $29,245 | 54 mpg | 133 MPGe | 25 miles | 2 hours | 10 years or 150,000 miles |
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Another solid competitor for the 2021 Honda Clarity PHEV is the
Hyundai Ioniq PHEV
. In fact, in every department other than electric-only range, the Ioniq virtually wipes the floor with the Clarity. Not only does the Ioniq offer better fuel economy across the board, but its lifetime battery warranty is infinitely superior to Honda’s 8-year limited warranty. When you can get all this in a brand new car for nearly $10k less than the Clarity PHEV, why wouldn’t you go for the Hyundai?
Model | Starting price | Fuel economy (gas only) | Fuel economy (gas + electric) | Driving range | Charging time (Level 2) | Hybrid battery warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid | $34,600 | 42 mpg | 110 MPGe | 48 miles | 2.5 hours | 8 years |
2022 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid | $27,895 | 52 mpg | 119 MPGe | 29 miles | 2 hours | Lifetime |
How to save money on car insurance
While I’m sure we’d all love to say the only thing driving us to look at PHEVs is the opportunity to do great things for the environment, we’d be hard pressed to find someone who’s not also interested in the money-saving opportunities presented by all-electric ranges and high MPGes. As long as you’re looking for ways to save money, why not see how you can save on another of the biggest
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