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Honda Clarity

6 model years from 2014 to 2021, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

Honda Clarity
Pictured: Osaka Motor Show 2015 (202) - Honda CLARITY FUEL CELL. Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Model years
2014–2021
Class
Midsize Cars
Latest engines
1.5L 4-cyl
Best MPG
42–42 combined, by year
EV range
up to 89 mi
Latest rating
Not rated
Recalls
5 campaigns, all years
Most complaints
2018 (163)
Fewest problems
2021
Interest
2,508 Wikipedia views / 30 days

The 2021 Clarity in brief

The 2021 Honda Clarity is a midsize car offered with a 1.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 193 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,063 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 42 MPG combined (44 city / 40 highway), 53% better than the 2021 midsize car average of 27.4 MPG, for an estimated $1,600 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the visibility/wiper.

The Honda Clarity has 6 model years in our data, from 2014 to 2021.

Its most efficient year was 2021 at 42 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 42 to 42 MPG.

Owners most often report problems with the engine (42), electrical system (39), unknown or other (37).

Buying used? 2021 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2018 is the year to avoid.

2018 has the most recalls (3); all years together count 5 campaigns and 228 owner complaints.

How the 2014 Clarity compares

The 2014 Honda Clarity is a midsize car and front-wheel drive.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

About the Honda Clarity

The Honda Clarity is a nameplate used by Honda on alternative fuel vehicles. It was initially used only on hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles such as the 2008 Honda FCX Clarity, but in 2017 the nameplate was expanded to include the battery-electric Honda Clarity Electric and the plug-in hybrid electric Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid, in addition to the next generation Honda Clarity Fuel Cell. Clarity production ended in August 2021 with US leases for the fuel cell variant continuing through to 2022. As of 2025, the Honda Clarity (2016-2021) is the last known production car to feature fixed rear wheel skirts.

From the Wikipedia article "Honda Clarity", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

2021 Clarity pros & cons

Full 2021 details →

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 42 MPG combined — 53% better than the average 2021 midsize car (27.4 MPG).
  • Plug-in hybrid version availableOffered as a plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • Few owner complaints4 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 31 for similar models.
  • No recalls so far

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Best and worst years to buy used

NHTSA recalls and complaints for 5 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →

Clarity changes by model year

  1. 2020
    • No all-electric version any more
  2. 2018
    • New plug-in hybrid version
    • Engine added: 1.5L 4-cyl
  3. 2017
    • New all-electric version

Years without a measurable change are left out.

Show all 6 model years side by side
YearLatest enginesBest MPG / rangeLengthWeightOverallRecallsComplaints
20211.5L 4-cyl42 MPG192.9 in4,063 lbNot rated04
20201.5L 4-cyl42 MPG192.9 in4,063 lbNot rated011
20191.5L 4-cyl42 MPG192.9 in4,063 lbNot rated245
20181.5L 4-cyl42 MPG192.9 in4,063 lbNot rated3163
2017Electric89 mi––Not rated35
2014––––Not rated00
Best combined MPG by model year — Honda Clarity
2018: 42 MPG2019: 42 MPG2020: 42 MPG2021: 42 MPG2018201920202021max 42 MPG

Alternatives to the 2021 Clarity

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2021 Honda Accord48 MPG★★★★★4
2021 Toyota Camry52 MPG★★★★★1
2021 Nissan GT-R18 MPGNot rated1
2021 Hyundai Elantra54 MPG★★★★★7
2021 Chevrolet Malibu32 MPG★★★★★2
2021 Volkswagen Passat28 MPG★★★★★1

Most common owner-reported problems

Engine42
Electrical System39
Unknown Or Other37
Fuel/Propulsion System34
Power Train28
Fuel System, Gasoline21
Service Brakes18
Visibility/Wiper16
Owner complaints by model year — Honda Clarity
2014: 02017: 52018: 1632019: 452020: 112021: 4201420172018201920202021max 163
Check your VIN for open recalls ↗

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Honda. How we calculate this →