Honda Clarity Electric

Overview

The 2019 Honda Clarity Electric was a bit of an oddball in the US market, offered as a lease-only option primarily in California and Oregon. It aimed to be a comfy, eco-conscious mid-size sedan. Its standout feature was its premium feel for a Honda, but its limited real-world range of just 85 miles (as per Green Cars Compare estimates) made it strictly a city commuter. With production ceasing in 2019, it's now only found on the used market; official pricing when "new" was effectively part of its lease terms, as indicated by the unavailable new or used price data.

What's New for 2019?

For its final model year, 2019, the Honda Clarity Electric carried over largely unchanged from its 2018 iteration. Having debuted in 2017, its short production run meant significant year-on-year updates were minimal. The focus remained on its role as a compliance car and a showcase for Honda's alternative fuel technologies, alongside its Plug-in Hybrid and Fuel Cell siblings. So, if you're eyeing a 2019 model, expect the same package that was offered previously – no major new tech or design tweaks to report for this swan song year.

Design & Exterior

The Clarity Electric boasts a futuristic, aerodynamic design that certainly turns heads! Its sleek sedan profile, measuring 192.7 inches long, 73.9 inches wide (excluding mirrors), and 58.2 inches tall, is optimized for efficiency, highlighted by those distinctive covered rear wheel arches and full LED lighting. The "Electric" trim maintained a clean, somewhat understated look, emphasizing its sophisticated, eco-friendly mission. It’s a design that whispers efficiency rather than screaming for attention, but it’s undeniably unique on the road, all rolling on a 108.3-inch wheelbase.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Step inside the Clarity Electric, and you're greeted by a surprisingly spacious and upscale cabin for five, decked out with eco-friendly materials. Passenger comfort is ace, though the rear seats don't fold, limiting cargo flexibility beyond its 14.3 ft³ trunk – and unfortunately, there's no frunk for extra bits. Tech-wise, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comes standard, keeping you connected. It’s a comfortable, well-equipped space, though not groundbreaking in its tech offerings for the time, but quite plush.

Performance & Driving Experience

The Clarity Electric's single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) sends 120 kW (around 161 hp) and a useful 221 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. This allows for a 0-60 mph dash in 9 seconds and a top speed of 100 mph – not lightning-fast, but perfectly adequate for city commuting. The driving experience is classic EV: smooth, whisper-quiet, and instantly responsive. Ride comfort is a real strong suit, soaking up bumps admirably. It’s definitely more of a comfortable cruiser than a B-road blaster, with predictable regenerative braking.

Range, Battery & Charging

The big talking point for the Clarity Electric is its range. Its 24.2 kWh usable battery pack delivers a Green Cars Compare estimated real-world range of only 85 miles, with an efficiency of 3.51 mi/kWh. For charging, the standard 6.6 kW on-board AC charger can fill it up from empty in about 3.5 hours. If you hook up to a DC fast charger via its CCS Type 1 port, it can accept up to 50 kW, getting you to 80% in roughly 30 minutes – handy for quick top-ups on its 400V system.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Honda didn't skimp on safety with the Clarity Electric. While specific NHTSA data for this trim isn't listed, the wider 2019 Clarity family earned a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Crucially, the Honda Sensing suite came standard. This jam-packed package includes Collision Mitigation Braking System™, Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, and Lane Keeping Assist System. So, while its range was modest, its list of standard safety tech was impressively comprehensive, offering good peace of mind on your urban jaunts.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

When leased new, the 2019 Clarity Electric was covered by Honda's standard 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Importantly for an EV, the battery pack received an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty, covering premature degradation. As a discontinued lease-only model, specific maintenance perks would have varied by dealer or lease agreement. Generally, EVs like the Clarity, weighing in at 4024 lbs, benefit from lower maintenance needs due to fewer moving parts compared to their internal combustion engine counterparts, making for potentially smoother ownership.