Honda Clarity is the company’s sedan model that consists of three different vehicles. The customers can choose between a plug-in hybrid, an electric model, or a hydrogen-powered fuel-cell engine version. In this review, we will focus on the 2020 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell.
The fuel cell powers the electric drive motor by transforming hydrogen into electricity, providing instant acceleration with zero-emission. Also, the elegant design language with a lot of unique design elements will draw the attention of the automotive world.
Design
2020 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell is the company’s pioneer of the environment-friendly vehicles. The smooth-looking 4-door sedan brings elegant curves and sophisticated design language. Moreover, the sloped roof will provide unique aesthetics, while the rear looks very similar to the latest-gen Civic model. Also, you’ll notice the large boomerang-shaped lights, which will boost the visual appearance of the vehicle.
The aerodynamics is improved as well. However, the body panels behind the top of the rear wheels could break the visual harmony. One thing that will distinguish this model from rivals like Toyota Prius Prime or Mirai Fuel Cell is the available seat count. 2020 Clarity Fuel Cell offers more than enough room to accommodate five passengers. The mentioned competitors come with a 4-seats configuration.
Furthermore, the rest of the interior is convenient and well-designed. Instead f the conventional gear lever, you’ll find buttons for Drive, Reverse, Neutral, etc. The 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration will be available as part of standard equipment. The Clarity Plug-In variant offers 14.3 cubic-feet of cargo space. But, the fuel-cell model is more limited at 11.8 cubic feet. Of course, the reason for that is the placement of the hydrogen tank.
2020 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Engine
Each of the Honda Clarity sedan models comes with something different and unique under the hood. For instance, the plug-In Hybrid uses the combination of a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline drivetrain and a battery-powered electric motor. This setup works perfectly. Also, the Plug-In includes four selectable drive modes – Normal, Econ, Sport, and HV that support the battery’s level of charge. The driving range of this model is around 340 miles with a fully charged battery and a full tank.
Furthermore, the Clarity Electric comes with a single electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery. This battery can be recharged in approximately 3 hours, with a 240-volt output. The Electric can travel up to 89 miles and electric power alone. 2020 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell uses hydrogen gas, and through a chemical reaction, makes electricity.
Although this sounds very futuristic, it’s a very familiar setup. You use a nozzle, wait a couple of minutes to fill the tank, and you’re ready to go. The Fuel Cell model will provide up to 366 miles of driving range.
Release Date and Price
2020 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell will be available for lease only in California. The company offers a 3-year lease at $370 per month with $2,878 due at signing, plus taxes. Also, the lease includes several exclusive benefits, including up to $15,000 of hydrogen fuel for the 3-year lease term. This model is for a $5,000 discount through the California Clean Vehicle Rebate Project. The release date of Clarity Fuel Cell is set for the second quartal of 2020.