Another great review Tom. You answer so many of the questions others leave out. I like that you actually verbalized that a person can drive from Chicago to New Mexico (I paraphrase) without range anxiety. I think you just pushed me over the edge and I'll probably go ahead and lease one. Thanks!
Never would've thought Kalamazoo would get mentioned in your video. At least it's good to know I can drive from my house to Albuquerque in just 1 tank with the Clarity
I've had my Clarity plug-in hybrid for a year, about 10,000 miles. It is an elegant car in most respects: quiet, more than sufficiently powerful, solid, spacious, well-appointed and smooth It is far more elegant and spacious than the Prius or Volt. That said, you're right about the noise of the Clarity's gas engine when you use it going uphill (if you own this car, you generally learn to avoid using the gas engine in this situation). And the infotainment system, while adequate, is not Honda's best, as found in the new Accord. All in all, the Clarity is a very good car and I think the best among comparably priced plug-in hybrids, and it will only get better as Honda refines it in the future. And because the Clarity is entitled to the full $7500 federal tax credit (not so, the Prius), it is no more expensive than a comparably equipped, conventional, gas-driven mid-size.
Oh no! You’re one of my favorite reviewers, Tom. I’ll send a contribution via Venmo. Hopefully there will be enough contributors that add up to significant help. Thanks for what you do.
I love my 2018! I've had it for 38 000 km/23 500 miles! Barely 7000 km/4400 miles on gas. Rest on pure EV! The 17kWh battery is perfect for my around-town commuting! Plus I can charge it at home if I need a daily top up. And the cost of 1.8-ish cents per km, including maintenance... It's a dream! Oh and I lost my GoPro off the back of it once filming a video! Best of luck with your replacement! -Brad
Great job, Tom! Sorry about the camera. Certainly, replace it. But, in the meantime, why not try iPhone (or Pixel or Galaxy) plus tripod or selfie mount? I know it's not the same, but you'd be surprised how close it is and, in the end, it's about the _CONTENT_ , not the crispy video!!! You can tell your great stories in 1080p and I bet your fans will not notice nor care. This is the Honda version of the Volt. The layout of the drivetrain, electric-first drivetrain with a supplemental gasoline generator to add range once the battery is drained, is very similar to the Volt. However, GM just announced the Volt is dead, so by this time next year, the Clarity will be your only option (the Prius Prime does _not_ operate like the Clarity and Volt). The Clarity has a much larger interior and boot capacity comparted to the Volt. However, the Clarity is soooooooo ugly, while the Volt looks okay. Also, Honda fitted the Clarity with it's previous gen infotainment, for some reason.
As always, a great review I really appreciate the info, been on the fence about plug in hybrids...sorry about camera, hopefully your insurance will kick in...especially with a bill that high? Best of luck.
I love owning this car for these reasons: Quiet cabin, all electric commute on 120 outlet, quality interior, accord like size truck and leg room (even with my seat all the way back), soft suspension, Android and apple integration, amazing headlights, a steering wheel audio volume control, electric/Honda reliability qualities, and Honda's awesome Honda Sensing all standard. Ive found ways to cope with its short comings and omissions. My important needs were hit to be my only car for a good price in comparison to other plug-ins. After finding a deal, all my taxes and EV incentives (Federal and state) I came out with a good car for just under 22k that i know will last me my next decade or so that's VERY cheap to run. Im satisfied with my Big Honda Volt :P.
My issue with the Clarity, which was a full stop, was the size of the trunk opening and pass through. I couldn't possibly give up the utility of my Fit, even if it's for ~30 miles of EV goodness. For the millionth time, why didn't Honda go for (at least) a sport back?
Ugh! I was actually watching the video and wondering what kind of camera you use because the quality is so great. I sent you a small amount on Patreon, Tom. Best of luck.
Interesting review and, as always, well done. A question though: I might have missed it, but is there a reason that you haven’t done a review of the Tesla Model 3? As it is currently one of the top selling cars in the US, it would seem to be a worthy recipient of your attentions.
I ended up with the Volt. I drive alone 90% of the time so I love the extra performance and an engine that will not come on during hard acceleration. However, its so cheap to operate i find now we load the family in it for trips to avoid fueling up the SUV. Maybe the Pacifica PHEV will be the next vehicle to replace my wife’s gas guzzler. Thanks for the great reviews
Dang Tom. Sorry to hear about that camera. Great Review. I agree with you. The lane watch is distracting. A regular blindspot detection system like Honda has on the Accord should have been put on this vehicle along with the Accord's updated multi media screen.
Twenty-five miles in two hours? Consider moving to Gig Harbor. When we decided to escape the gridlock of the Seattle Eastside we looked in south Puget Sound. I had to make a trip to Costco on a Saturday morning while doing so. I discovered empty parking spaces in the lot near the front door and immediately decided to move here. :)
I understand that in the Volt and I'm assuming the same with the ELR, the car keeps track of the time period between gas fill ups. I'm guessing how many times the fuel door was opened and among other factors. It does that because as we all know, gasoline has a shelf life. That's especially important when that gasoline is in a car's fuel system. So if the Volt determines that you haven't refilled in a long time, it runs the engine to use up the old stale gas even though the battery is full or is close to full. I'm guessing that the car does that because the last thing you want in your engine and fuel lines is old, bad gas gumming everything up.
If you're in California, you might have been seeing a Clarity Fuel Cell or Clarity Electric which came out earlier than the Plug-In Hybrid. The Clarity Electric is also leased in Oregon.
Fine, name another source. KBB loves Honda forever, not matter what the problems are. And JD Powers is an ad agency, so bribery works. Go ahead and assure Mr. Tan his Clarity will outlast the Prius.
Elliott Manning: This is somewhat different. Honda will lease the car to you only if you live in California and purchase the car from one of 12 dealers, (six in the Bay Area and six in the LA area) each near a hydrogen refueling station. Since the car doesn't have a gasoline backup engine and cannot be "recharged" like a plug-in EV, you have to stay within about 300 miles of the 39 hydrogen fuel stations in the US. (All but 4 in California.) In effect you can drive mostly between Southern California and the Bay Area but not elsewhere. It's actually a pretty good deal if you can live with those limitations. The lease is about $370 per month and Honda includes a $15,000 hydrogen fuel voucher with the three year lease. For most drivers that means no fuel costs for the life of the lease. Further, California provides incentives if you lease a zero emissions vehicle. Finally, if you want to drive farther than your fuel cell Clarity can go, Honda tosses in a free three week rental from Avis.
You can buy a Plug-In Hybrid, but Honda only offers the Clarity Fuel Cell and Clarity Electric for lease. Years ago, Honda's Fit EV and Clarity FCV were also lease-only.
This car would have been a better car as a hatchback, but the requirements of the Clarity Fuel-Cell on which the Plug-In Hybrid is based precluded the adoption of a hatch. Crash protection for the Fuel Cell's two high-pressure hydrogen tanks required a stronger structure than a hatch can provide.
As camera tech has developed very quickly over the past years you might get something almost similar for 1500 usd or even a lot less? Interesting car btw, not beautiful but fascinating nonetheless
Great job Tom, always a good review from you! Just a suggestion, a little cheaper this time... Sony FS5M2- www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1400757-REG/sony_pxw_fs5m2k_pxw_fs5m2_4k_xdcam_super.html Sony FS7M2- www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1296066-REG/sony_pxw_fs7m2k_pxw_fs7_ii_4k_xdcam.html or maybe the way cheaper Panasonic GH5 as used by the auto-review guy from the Bay Area or the guys from Colorado.
40 MPG is not good enough for this complex setup. I am easily getting 32-34 MPG driving VW GTi. Once I managed to get 40 MPG, I was very gentle with the accelerator, and the road was unusually free of traffic. Why one would want to buy this car instead of Prius, which delivers 50 MPG? It is a shame this car gets tax credit, and Prius does not anymore.
They? Always? What other Honda has a small cover over the rear wheels? My 2006 Insight has large covers over the rear wheels. It's not for the sake of geeky appearance, it's for aerodynamics. Not many 4059-lb cars can match the Clarity PHEV's 42 mpg when using its gas-powered engine. The reviewer with his stylish 37-mile EV range Cadillac says he'd give up a mile of range to dispense with the small wheel covers. Not me--I'm geeky and appreciate every mile Honda fought to add to the car's range.
@@insightman except the overall utility of this car is poor. The trunk is horrible and overall utility of interior is a laugh especially with the shift paddle. The more competitive players like toyota and subaru crosstrek hybrid will be better sellers than hondas. Honda insight was not well recieved as a car considering majority just went for the same looking civic instead. Also the subaru has 35 mpg on gas and 90 mpge. That is way more attractive in terms of fuel econony and overall vehicle utility
It's unfortunate that the Honda Clarity was rated the "Most unreliable car for 2018" per Consumer Reports annual Reliability Survey, and their Talking Cars episode 174
Where's the auto-inflate tires and the interior "styrofoam injection" crash protection system? Ironic, since the GM Ultralight was a 100 mpg concept vehicle.
Is it the luxurious interior, the class-topping electric range, Japanese quality, that you don't like? What is your one big objection that causes you to stroggly dislike this car?
Exactly. If he wants 15k for a camera that any regular SLR/DSLR can closely match in quality, you'd think this is a scheme to get money (not saying it is).
The Volt has an outdated battery layout. It uses a central battery "spine" rather than a skateboard chassis, which is the clearly superior approach. GM already has a stellar EV in the form of the Bolt. I'm sure they'll move forward with this platform instead
For sure the current battery tech has advance rapidly in past 5 years but to GM credit they did produce one of best liquid cooled battery in the Volt. battery not to degrade -45% like Nissan Leaf and Hyundai cars
@@torocars9227 it's not the battery tech, it's the platform layout. The Volt is an evolutionary dead end. GM certainly makes decent batteries, because the Bolt is fairly efficient
Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid EV range: 27 miles. Ford Fusion Energi EV range: 20 miles. Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid EV range: 47 miles. Chevy Volt (RIP) EV range: 53 miles. If you're buying a plug-in hybrid, isn't the EV range at the top of your list or preferences? If you want a comfortable plug-in hybrid, the Clarity wins. Remember, the inside isn't very geeky at all and that's what an owner looks at most of the time. We went 10 months without visiting a gas station in our Clarity PHEV. Love it!
Glad to pitch in for new gear! Patreon sign-up was extremely simple, I used a credit card and entered a custom amount that works for me.
Yup, and that is very cool. You surprised me with that generous amount. Thanks man!
Another great review Tom. You answer so many of the questions others leave out. I like that you actually verbalized that a person can drive from Chicago to New Mexico (I paraphrase) without range anxiety. I think you just pushed me over the edge and I'll probably go ahead and lease one. Thanks!
Never would've thought Kalamazoo would get mentioned in your video. At least it's good to know I can drive from my house to Albuquerque in just 1 tank with the Clarity
Well, I didn't measure it the distance, I just liked the city names. You might have to refuel, but not recharge.
I've had my Clarity plug-in hybrid for a year, about 10,000 miles. It is an elegant car in most respects: quiet, more than sufficiently powerful, solid, spacious, well-appointed and smooth It is far more elegant and spacious than the Prius or Volt. That said, you're right about the noise of the Clarity's gas engine when you use it going uphill (if you own this car, you generally learn to avoid using the gas engine in this situation). And the infotainment system, while adequate, is not Honda's best, as found in the new Accord. All in all, the Clarity is a very good car and I think the best among comparably priced plug-in hybrids, and it will only get better as Honda refines it in the future. And because the Clarity is entitled to the full $7500 federal tax credit (not so, the Prius), it is no more expensive than a comparably equipped, conventional, gas-driven mid-size.
Oh no! You’re one of my favorite reviewers, Tom. I’ll send a contribution via Venmo. Hopefully there will be enough contributors that add up to significant help. Thanks for what you do.
Hey, anything people contribute is gravy. And initially people are being VERY good to me. You were very generous. Thanks!
I love my 2018! I've had it for 38 000 km/23 500 miles! Barely 7000 km/4400 miles on gas. Rest on pure EV! The 17kWh battery is perfect for my around-town commuting! Plus I can charge it at home if I need a daily top up. And the cost of 1.8-ish cents per km, including maintenance... It's a dream! Oh and I lost my GoPro off the back of it once filming a video! Best of luck with your replacement! -Brad
Great job, Tom! Sorry about the camera. Certainly, replace it. But, in the meantime, why not try iPhone (or Pixel or Galaxy) plus tripod or selfie mount? I know it's not the same, but you'd be surprised how close it is and, in the end, it's about the _CONTENT_ , not the crispy video!!! You can tell your great stories in 1080p and I bet your fans will not notice nor care.
This is the Honda version of the Volt. The layout of the drivetrain, electric-first drivetrain with a supplemental gasoline generator to add range once the battery is drained, is very similar to the Volt. However, GM just announced the Volt is dead, so by this time next year, the Clarity will be your only option (the Prius Prime does _not_ operate like the Clarity and Volt). The Clarity has a much larger interior and boot capacity comparted to the Volt. However, the Clarity is soooooooo ugly, while the Volt looks okay. Also, Honda fitted the Clarity with it's previous gen infotainment, for some reason.
But not to me because the Clarity looks okay which is why it is the MOST beautiful car that can do everything I want.
It's a really nice car. The best plug in btw
As always, a great review I really appreciate the info, been on the fence about plug in hybrids...sorry about camera, hopefully your insurance will kick in...especially with a bill that high? Best of luck.
Nope. Insurance on gear like that isn't really worth the high price (and homeowners doesn't cover it). Sadly these things happen...
Thanks for the clarity on the clarity!
Oh no!!!! I'm so sad to hear about the camera, Tom!
This video was great. Thats for providing clarity on this car..
I love owning this car for these reasons: Quiet cabin, all electric commute on 120 outlet, quality interior, accord like size truck and leg room (even with my seat all the way back), soft suspension, Android and apple integration, amazing headlights, a steering wheel audio volume control, electric/Honda reliability qualities, and Honda's awesome Honda Sensing all standard.
Ive found ways to cope with its short comings and omissions. My important needs were hit to be my only car for a good price in comparison to other plug-ins. After finding a deal, all my taxes and EV incentives (Federal and state) I came out with a good car for just under 22k that i know will last me my next decade or so that's VERY cheap to run. Im satisfied with my Big Honda Volt :P.
We love you, Tom! I’ll give what I can!
Whatever you used to shoot the "after-crash" footage was more than sufficient!
My issue with the Clarity, which was a full stop, was the size of the trunk opening and pass through. I couldn't possibly give up the utility of my Fit, even if it's for ~30 miles of EV goodness. For the millionth time, why didn't Honda go for (at least) a sport back?
Ugh! I was actually watching the video and wondering what kind of camera you use because the quality is so great. I sent you a small amount on Patreon, Tom. Best of luck.
Interesting review and, as always, well done.
A question though: I might have missed it, but is there a reason that you haven’t done a review of the Tesla Model 3? As it is currently one of the top selling cars in the US, it would seem to be a worthy recipient of your attentions.
to keep your level of reviews going id contribute to a crowd funding for a new camera!! thank you for all you do!
I ended up with the Volt. I drive alone 90% of the time so I love the extra performance and an engine that will not come on during hard acceleration.
However, its so cheap to operate i find now we load the family in it for trips to avoid fueling up the SUV. Maybe the Pacifica PHEV will be the next vehicle to replace my wife’s gas guzzler.
Thanks for the great reviews
Great review Tom!
Sorry about your camera!
Dang Tom. Sorry to hear about that camera. Great Review. I agree with you. The lane watch is distracting. A regular blindspot detection system like Honda has on the Accord should have been put on this vehicle along with the Accord's updated multi media screen.
Twenty-five miles in two hours? Consider moving to Gig Harbor. When we decided to escape the gridlock of the Seattle Eastside we looked in south Puget Sound. I had to make a trip to Costco on a Saturday morning while doing so. I discovered empty parking spaces in the lot near the front door and immediately decided to move here. :)
Nice place. Horrible commute for my wife though.
Great review as always. Share your feeling on the skirts at rear wheel.
Alliejr is right! 1080p is just fine! Good luck!
I understand that in the Volt and I'm assuming the same with the ELR, the car keeps track of the time period between gas fill ups. I'm guessing how many times the fuel door was opened and among other factors. It does that because as we all know, gasoline has a shelf life. That's especially important when that gasoline is in a car's fuel system. So if the Volt determines that you haven't refilled in a long time, it runs the engine to use up the old stale gas even though the battery is full or is close to full. I'm guessing that the car does that because the last thing you want in your engine and fuel lines is old, bad gas gumming everything up.
I'm so sorry for the camera!
I guess grumpy twin wasn't available for this episode, ha
Anyone else in 2020 looking longingly at those 6 huge packs of toilet paper?
Good luck in finding a new camera!
Finding it is easy. Paying for it is another matter.
Sorry about your camera
There was a Catholic school on my way to work in my city that had one in the parking months before it was released!
If you're in California, you might have been seeing a Clarity Fuel Cell or Clarity Electric which came out earlier than the Plug-In Hybrid. The Clarity Electric is also leased in Oregon.
@@insightman I live in southern Ontario in Canada. But it's interesting the different models only some states get. Here everyone gets everything
Lets help get you some new gear Tom!
I am using pure ev plus eco mode, I got 58mile per charge at normal 45mph, no freeways
If you want to raise the funds to replace your camera, start marketing semicircular stickers to mask those spats on the Clarity. They'd be priceless.
Someone on the InsideEVs Clarity forum has used black vinyl wrap to erase his spats
I guess it’s good to have options, but I take proven Prius.
But not me, I will buy a fully-loaded Honda Clarity because it is the car that can do everything I want.
Good for you. Just be aware that Consumer Reports subscribers rated the Clarity "Most unreliable car for 2018". See their episode 174.
@@cadsux Consumer Reports are the biggest morons in the reliability rating game.
Fine, name another source. KBB loves Honda forever, not matter what the problems are. And JD Powers is an ad agency, so bribery works. Go ahead and assure Mr. Tan his Clarity will outlast the Prius.
Waited 1 year and got my clarity PHEV. This is the best car...850 miles so far and my gas bill was 11 dollars :-) he..he
Your evil twin's not in the video, I suppose he knocked your camera over.
I've never heard of a vehicle that's lease only.
It's not a conventional lease. It's a lease directly from Honda.
Stephen Hendricks aren’t all leases directly from the manufacturer?
Elliott Manning: This is somewhat different. Honda will lease the car to you only if you live in California and purchase the car from one of 12 dealers, (six in the Bay Area and six in the LA area) each near a hydrogen refueling station. Since the car doesn't have a gasoline backup engine and cannot be "recharged" like a plug-in EV, you have to stay within about 300 miles of the 39 hydrogen fuel stations in the US. (All but 4 in California.) In effect you can drive mostly between Southern California and the Bay Area but not elsewhere.
It's actually a pretty good deal if you can live with those limitations. The lease is about $370 per month and Honda includes a $15,000 hydrogen fuel voucher with the three year lease. For most drivers that means no fuel costs for the life of the lease. Further, California provides incentives if you lease a zero emissions vehicle. Finally, if you want to drive farther than your fuel cell Clarity can go, Honda tosses in a free three week rental from Avis.
Stephen Hendricks spot on knowledge . Kudos
You can buy a Plug-In Hybrid, but Honda only offers the Clarity Fuel Cell and Clarity Electric for lease. Years ago, Honda's Fit EV and Clarity FCV were also lease-only.
....but it reminds me of a Star Trek Shuttle Craft.
Love your videos and I will be sending you some 🍞 for a new 📽
If it looks like a hatchback it should be a hatchback
This car would have been a better car as a hatchback, but the requirements of the Clarity Fuel-Cell on which the Plug-In Hybrid is based precluded the adoption of a hatch. Crash protection for the Fuel Cell's two high-pressure hydrogen tanks required a stronger structure than a hatch can provide.
Clearly in today's modern age, you dont need 15k to shoot videos. Even in 4k.
wow CAMERA GONE, wish I could help.
Insurance on the NEW one? How about a GO FUND me Page?
As camera tech has developed very quickly over the past years you might get something almost similar for 1500 usd or even a lot less? Interesting car btw, not beautiful but fascinating nonetheless
Great job Tom, always a good review from you!
Just a suggestion, a little cheaper this time...
Sony FS5M2- www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1400757-REG/sony_pxw_fs5m2k_pxw_fs5m2_4k_xdcam_super.html
Sony FS7M2- www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1296066-REG/sony_pxw_fs7m2k_pxw_fs7_ii_4k_xdcam.html
or maybe the way cheaper Panasonic GH5 as used by the auto-review guy from the Bay Area or the guys from Colorado.
40 MPG is not good enough for this complex setup. I am easily getting 32-34 MPG driving VW GTi. Once I managed to get 40 MPG, I was very gentle with the accelerator, and the road was unusually free of traffic. Why one would want to buy this car instead of Prius, which delivers 50 MPG? It is a shame this car gets tax credit, and Prius does not anymore.
Nice review, Tom. They have to change the rear wheels, it's sooooo....... ugly!
why do they always have a small cover in the rear wheels? It looks like trash with that design
They? Always? What other Honda has a small cover over the rear wheels? My 2006 Insight has large covers over the rear wheels. It's not for the sake of geeky appearance, it's for aerodynamics. Not many 4059-lb cars can match the Clarity PHEV's 42 mpg when using its gas-powered engine. The reviewer with his stylish 37-mile EV range Cadillac says he'd give up a mile of range to dispense with the small wheel covers. Not me--I'm geeky and appreciate every mile Honda fought to add to the car's range.
@@insightman except the overall utility of this car is poor. The trunk is horrible and overall utility of interior is a laugh especially with the shift paddle. The more competitive players like toyota and subaru crosstrek hybrid will be better sellers than hondas. Honda insight was not well recieved as a car considering majority just went for the same looking civic instead. Also the subaru has 35 mpg on gas and 90 mpge. That is way more attractive in terms of fuel econony and overall vehicle utility
Pulled parts from a 2014 Civic.
🎥👍👍👍👍👍👋👋👋👋😁
It's unfortunate that the Honda Clarity was rated the "Most unreliable car for 2018" per Consumer Reports annual Reliability Survey, and their Talking Cars episode 174
Demolition Man movie vehicle.
And I do not care because it is a car that can do EVERYTHING I want!
Where's the auto-inflate tires and the interior "styrofoam injection" crash protection system? Ironic, since the GM Ultralight was a 100 mpg concept vehicle.
:(
>:(
Stroggly dislike the car. Like Tom though!
Is it the luxurious interior, the class-topping electric range, Japanese quality, that you don't like? What is your one big objection that causes you to stroggly dislike this car?
Too quippy. Shades of Motorweek.
Sell your Caddy and use the $$$ for a new camera.
Exactly. If he wants 15k for a camera that any regular SLR/DSLR can closely match in quality, you'd think this is a scheme to get money (not saying it is).
Sort of reminds me of the Blues Brothers
And GM just announced that they will kill off the Volt 🤦♂️🤦♀️
The Volt has an outdated battery layout. It uses a central battery "spine" rather than a skateboard chassis, which is the clearly superior approach. GM already has a stellar EV in the form of the Bolt. I'm sure they'll move forward with this platform instead
Yup, perfect timing.
For sure the current battery tech has advance rapidly in past 5 years but to GM credit they did produce one of best liquid cooled battery in the Volt. battery not to degrade -45% like Nissan Leaf and Hyundai cars
@@torocars9227 it's not the battery tech, it's the platform layout. The Volt is an evolutionary dead end. GM certainly makes decent batteries, because the Bolt is fairly efficient
Meh mobile.
Way too geeky. Hyundai Sonata and Ford Fusion look better IMHO.
But the Clarity is the best looking car that can do everything I want IMHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHO.
Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid EV range: 27 miles. Ford Fusion Energi EV range: 20 miles. Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid EV range: 47 miles. Chevy Volt (RIP) EV range: 53 miles. If you're buying a plug-in hybrid, isn't the EV range at the top of your list or preferences? If you want a comfortable plug-in hybrid, the Clarity wins. Remember, the inside isn't very geeky at all and that's what an owner looks at most of the time. We went 10 months without visiting a gas station in our Clarity PHEV. Love it!