Honda Clarity Electric

Overview

The 2019 Honda Clarity Electric was a full-electric sedan primarily aimed at the US market, particularly California, as a compliance vehicle, and was discontinued after 2019. It's known for its spacious, comfortable cabin for a mid-size sedan, though its electric range was a significant limitation. As it wasn't officially sold in Europe, new or used EU pricing isn't available. Its key highlight was offering a zero-emission Honda sedan experience, albeit with a focus on shorter commutes. It was one of three Clarity variants, alongside a Plug-in Hybrid and a Fuel Cell model.

What's New for 2019?

For the 2019 model year, the Honda Clarity Electric saw minimal changes, as it was in its final year of a short production run (2017-2019). Essentially, it carried over the features and specifications from the previous year. The biggest "news" for 2019 was that production ceased, marking the end of this particular battery-electric variant of the Clarity. Its limited availability, even in the US, meant updates were not a major focus before its discontinuation. It remained a niche offering throughout its lifecycle.

Design & Exterior

The 2019 Honda Clarity Electric boasts a distinctive, aerodynamic design, aiming for futuristic rather than mainstream. It features unique full LED headlights and taillights, and aerodynamically styled 18-inch alloy wheels. Some find its covered rear wheel arches a bit quirky, but they aid efficiency. Key dimensions are a substantial length of 4895 mm, a height of 1478 mm, and a width of approximately 1877 mm (excluding mirrors). Its sleek, almost fastback sedan profile helped it stand out, though it wasn't to everyone's taste.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the Clarity Electric offers a surprisingly premium and spacious cabin for five, using eco-conscious materials like Ultrasuede. Passenger comfort is good, especially up front. An 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comes standard. Tech feels modern, though not cutting-edge. Trunk cargo capacity is a decent 405 litres. However, the rear seats do not fold down due to battery component placement, limiting maximum cargo versatility, and there's no frunk for extra storage up front.

Performance & Driving Experience

The Clarity Electric gets you from 0-100 km/h in a respectable 9.6 seconds. Its single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) sends 120 kW of power and 300 Nm of instant torque to the front wheels (FWD). The driving experience is smooth, quiet, and refined, typical of an EV, making it a comfortable city cruiser. While not a speed demon, acceleration is brisk enough for daily driving. Ride comfort is generally good, prioritising a relaxed journey. Regenerative braking helps recoup energy, with selectable levels via paddles.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Clarity Electric is fitted with a modest 24.2 kWh usable battery pack, delivering a Green Cars Compare calculated real-world range of just 136 km. Efficiency is rated at 5.62 km/kWh. For AC charging, the standard 6.6 kW on-board charger can replenish the battery in around 3.5 to 4 hours. DC fast charging maxes out at 50 kW, which could take it to 80% in about 30 minutes. It uses a CCS Type 1 port, standard in North America, not directly compatible with Europe's CCS Type 2 without an adapter.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

As the Honda Clarity Electric was not sold in Europe, it does not have a Euro NCAP safety rating. The US-market model came standard with the comprehensive Honda Sensing suite. This typically included features like Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, and Lane Keeping Assist System. These advanced systems provided a good level of active safety for its time, aiming to prevent accidents and assist the driver in various conditions.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Given its US-only availability, warranty terms were specific to that market. Typically, Honda offered a 3-year/approx. 58,000 km basic warranty and a 5-year/approx. 96,000 km powertrain warranty. The crucial high-voltage battery was usually covered for 8 years or approximately 160,000 km, often with a capacity degradation guarantee. Maintenance for EVs like the Clarity Electric is generally lower than petrol cars, focusing on tyres, brakes, and cabin filters, though specifics for this discontinued model would be through Honda's US network.