Software has made vehicles safer, easier to drive, and more fuel-efficient, especially in the last decade or so. But it’s also made driving more complicated.
Driving modes are a good example of this. Basically every new model has them now, and if you don’t have a lot of experience with them, they can be confusing.
For the Honda
Clarity, Honda’s recently discontinued plug-in hybrid, things were kept pretty simple. The eco-friendly sedan has three modes to choose from. ECON and Sport are pretty self-explanatory, but the third, HV, is a little more mysterious. But have no fear. Jerry
, your car ownership super app
, is here to explain exactly what HV mode on the Honda Clarity does and how it can save you money. What’s the Honda Clarity’s HV Mode for?
HV mode specifically support highway driving. When engaged, it either uses gas and electricity to make the car as fuel-efficient as possible or it uses the gas engine to recharge the car’s 17 kWh battery.
A quick press of the button engages both powertrains to give you the best fuel economy the Clarity can offer. Hold the button down, and it sends excess energy from the gas engine to the battery for later use.
The key selling point for the Honda Clarity
is its fuel economy, and two of its driving modes are specifically designed for this purpose. You probably guessed that the ECON option helped in this area, but the HV button also falls under the money- and planet-saving category. MORE: Honda Takes Another Step In EV Plans By Announcing Two New EVS
How does the Clarity’s other eco-friendly driving mode work?
HV mode sounds pretty sweet, but it might have you asking yourself, ‘what does ECON mode do, then?’ Well, the answer has to do with how speed effects fuel use.
Fuel economy is almost always better when driving at highway speeds. HV mode is programmed to know how to balance that with battery use.
ECON mode, on the other hand, sets your Clarity’s battery into full motion. When in ECON mode, your gas engine will only engage if you gun it. This makes for a better use of energy while driving in town at low speeds and for short distances.
The small range of the Clarity’s battery means you wouldn’t get very far on the highway without a little help. But whenever possible, it’s more eco-friendly
to rely on your battery for driving. Is the Honda Clarity a cheap vehicle to own?
Honda discontinued the Clarity nameplate in 2021, so any Clarity on sale will be used. Right now, that doesn’t necessarily equal savings. Models from 2021 are selling for nearly $40,000.
Car insurance
for these cars isn’t cheap either. Average coverage sits at over $3,200 a year. Its excellent fuel economy will help you save in the long run, but the easiest way to save on Honda Clarity ownership is to shop for car insurance quotes online
with Jerry. Jerry is your ultra-talented car insurance broker for life. No need to sit across from him at a desk: Jerry is an app! It takes less than a minute to sign up, and you’ll be presented with competitive rates from dozens of top providers. Don’t lose coverage—find savings with Jerry.