Honda’s triple charge for clean air is complete with the 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid sedan. It joins the Clarity Electric and Clarity Fuel Cell we tested earlier. 

The Plug-In Hybrid’s electric drive has a 47-mile EV range. Only 5 miles less than the smaller Chevrolet Volt. We found a near seamless transition to the 1.5-liter I-4 gas engine. Total system output is 212 horsepower. A peak charge and full tank can take you 340-miles.  

Steering is light and responsive, as the Clarity remains composed through the curves around Napa, California. There are 3 driving modes… Normal, Econ and yes… Sport. In Sport mode, steering wheel paddles adjust the aggressiveness of the regenerative braking.

BEN DAVIS: “Right now I have the most amount of regen dialed in so when I’m coming down off the mountain like this and let off the gas the regenerative braking will actually slow me down to the point where I rarely need to use the brakes. It’s a lot of fun actually and when I want to zip up over a hill and around a corner in this particular scenario all that electric motor torque makes it a lot of fun.”

JOHN DAVIS: Honda is smart to make multiple electrified models on one chassis. Plus, the 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In has a longer electric-only range than most European plug-ins costing far more. 

On sale now nationwide… the price starts at just over $33,000.

Specifications

  • Engine: 1.5 liter
  • Horsepower: 212
  • Price: Starts at just over $33,000