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Title : Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid test drive
link : Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid test drive

Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid test drive

I think the Clarity looks quite futuristic and modern. I do understand it has been met with criticism and ends up being quite polarizing.

Most of the criticism seems to target the rear fenders. Which cover the top part of the wheels, and end up making the car's rear end look a bit lumpier than it should.

But after a few days with it, I really didn't mind at all. I really like the rest of the car, and at least, it is different than the Honda Accord.
Which is a nice effort from Honda.
I just wish they had gone a little further and made the Clarity into a true hatchback.

Otherwise, the whole thing looks quite upscale and different.

The interior looks great. It has a "1970's futuristic" feel to it. 

Which I like a lot. The wood trim part of the dashboard is flat and horizontal. The various trims look great. And everything is easy to use and feel super solid and high end. 

This interior is much nicer than in many more expensive cars. And more original as well.

This is really a wonderful place to be. 

One of the coolest, and most original, part of the interior is the suede material covering the dashboard and the doors.
I think it just looks fantastic. And again, something you just don't see anymore.

The stereo doesn't have any fancy name or anything. They just basically call it "Audio System with 8 speakers". But it sounds great. Even better than some "Bose" branded units in some other cars.

The only problem is the touch screen with a lack of volume knob (That should be coming in the 2019 model year very soon. Just like any other 2019 Honda models)
So the steering wheel control unit pictured above became my best friend for the week...

The rear seat is very roomy. About the same as the Accord.

A really nice and clever touch is the little phone pouch in the back of the rear seats.

The trunk is really big and folds almost flat. It also includes an additional compartment.
Which is pretty amazing, for a car with EV batteries.
(For instance, the batteries in the Fusion Hybrid eat up about half of the trunk)

Again, this huge trunk would be perfect for a hatchback design...

The Clarity is basically a great driving car. Just like the Accord.

The steering is not too light and does has a great feel. (Better than many European cars)

The suspension is always comfortable, while just firm enough.

The car is also surprisingly quiet in non-EV mode.

Of course, when the batteries are charged up, this is basically an electric Accord. Which is great.

Otherwise, when the batteries are empty, it is still a great driving hybrid. 

The transition from electric to gas is pretty invisible. And the engine doesn't rev up at strange times like it does in the Insight. 

So it just drives pretty much like a normal car. With an extra electric push at low speed.

Just like in the Insight, the "Sport" mode is actually very sporty.
You don't feel much of a difference in the steering or suspension, but the car seems to have much more power. It seems to actually rely more on the electric motor.

For a few days, I was just driving in "sport" all the time.
And I didn't really see a difference in gas mileage.

Of course, the main point of this car is to drive electric, and save gas when you don't. (Otherwise, you can get an Accord)

I was actually not able to recharge the batteries. There is only one outlet near my car where I park it. And the Honda EV cable was just too short (!) ( By about a foot or two. And I didn't have a proper extension available)
I never had that problem with any other EVs, like the Leaf, Volt or Bolt.

But I did manage to get 45 miles out of that initial charge in mix driving. Which is close to the official number of 47 miles. I am sure you can get even more in strictly city driving.

As far as MPG, the only official number I could find is "42MPG combined"
Which is quite good for such a large and roomy car anyway.

During my week of driving, I was actually able to get 55/56MPG on the freeway. Without any problem or trying hard. ( I was even averaging over 60MPG cruising down PCH)
And 52 to 54MPG driving around in the city.
I think these are quite amazing numbers. Again, this is not a small car at all.

I even got 54MPG in mixed driving for a few days, always in the Sport mode.

The Honda Clarity is quite an amazing car.

It has a great, upscale and roomy interior. It feels as solid as a tank. Has an actual EV range of at least 45 miles.  And you do get at least 54MPG using gas only.
It also really challenges everything most of us previously thought about hybrid cars being slow and noisy.

The few small things I would actually ask for are a volume knob (which is coming) A sunroof on the Touring version (That's not coming)
A slightly longer charging cable. And, at least on the Touring model, a lumbar adjustment. (Although the seats are very comfortable and that was never a problem for me)

The Touring model I was driving ends up costing a bit over $37 000. But almost $10 000 less with current incentives.
Which means the "base" model could actually cost under $24 000.
This is all pretty amazing and actually competes with the more basic versions of the Accord.
And even the Insight!

Right now, I would put the Clarity way on top of its class.  And near the top of the list for anyone looking for a mid-sized sedan.

I really don't think there is a better choice for a roomy hybrid sedan around.
And its actual price makes it competitive with non-hybrid cars.
Which is pretty amazing.

Thus Article Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid test drive

That's an article Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid test drive This time, hopefully can give benefits to all of you. well, see you in posting other articles.

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