2021 Honda Clarity

Hondas are generally affordable, reliable, and fuel-efficient, with intuitive controls and good driving characteristics. Its SUVs and sedans are usually near the top of Consumer Reports’ ratings for road tests and predicted reliability. Many Hondas have earned Consumer Reports recommendations. Used Hondas also score near the top of our reliability rankings for 5- and 10-year-old vehicles, making it a brand worth considering for options under $20,000. Honda’s SUVs include sub-compact models like the HR-V and compact CR-V, one of the best-selling SUVs in North America. The two-row Passport and three-row Pilot are larger options. Honda’s sedans include the compact Civic and the midsized Accord. Honda also makes the Odyssey minivan and the Ridgeline, a midsized pickup truck. For buyers seeking fuel efficiency, several of the most popular models are available with hybrid powertrains that get competitive mpg figures and are pleasant to drive.

The Clarity comes as either a plug-in hybrid or a fuel-cell variant that runs on hydrogen. The plug-in hybrid is the more practical version and has a 48-mile all-electric range before the gas engine kicks in. It takes 2.5 hours to recharge with a 240-volt charger or 12 hours on 120 volts. The car works well in electric-only mode; in hybrid mode the engine makes a loud ruckus. The pushbutton gear selector takes getting used to. While the Clarity has a comfortable ride, its handling is rather clumsy. Though the cabin is roomy, the front seats are uncomfortable because of their short bottom cushion and lack of lower back support. FCW and AEB are standard, but there is no true BSW system that covers both sides. Honda has dropped the full-electric version.