Thanks for the video. I have had my 2018 Clarity since I bought it new in early 2019. Paid $36K in Kansas without all the rebates/etc that coastal folks got. Best car I've ever had. I tell people I got a $50K car for $36K ;-) Likes: Interior (as you mentioned, it's very nice). Ride quality (awesome suspension, making even bumpy concrete pavement smooth). Roomy (much bigger than its series-hybrid PHEV progenitor, the Chevy Volt). 40 to 60 miles of all EV range (depending on season and if one drives over 50 mph). Smooth, quiet torque, especially for in-town driving (it was designed as a full-EV, but without the huge battery - so it has all the advantages of an EV, without the range anxiety, charging time, or up-front CO2 footprint.) 1/5th the size of the battery in a full EV - so much better for the planet - even if you count the CO2 footprint of the 1.5L engine. Zero range anxiety (unlike a full EV, we can fill up at gas stations when road-tripping. I have driven it for 4 years and as you said, never use any gas except when I put it in hybrid mode for significant distance interstate travel). Appearance (except for the fender-skirts over the rear tires). Dislikes: Hard to think of any other than the fender skirts. The gas tank could be bigger as you said, but personally I like to stop every couple hours anyway. I think this issue is very dependent on 'use-case'. The windshield washer is anemic. Honestly, that's about it. It's very hard for me to think about dislikes because I honestly love the car 🙂
I’m happy you’re enjoying your clarity. I definitely think it’s a hero on the Honda lineup that was treated as a zero which is sad but that makes it great as a deal, both used and new
Have had a used 2018 Clarity for a little over a week now and watched many you tube videos about it. I'm super happy that my commuting will be all electric. I am changing how I'm driving to maximize efficiency so now I keep it at 65 mph on the brief highway stretch of my commute. I think there is a broader benefit to this in terms of overall reduced carbon foot print. It would be super if everyone slowed down no matter what kind of car their driving! We should all use less energy in our lives. Cars like the Clarity help move us in that direction. Keeping it at 65 mph on long trips can offset the need to stop for gas (given the small tank) as often. One commenter said he does this and it doesn't make the trip take longer because there are fewer stops. I don't like the adaptive assist/lane assist but it's my first car with this feature and it's possible I'll find a reason to like it at some point. For now, I have the ACC off and am just using basic cruise control. I like the interior, find the seats comfortable and the car handles well. I love the fact that the back seats fold down and I'll be able to fit my skis in there! Given the front wheel drive, I will likely get snow tires in winter which will reduce EV range.
Congrats on the Clarity. I will say, the environmental impact from the car can be hit or miss since it did use a bit of material to make the battery and some to make the engine but the 50+ mpg is also something shouldn’t be disregarded. The 65 mpg is fair. The night I got my speeding ticket, I lost a significant amount of range to the point where I had to refuel (I had half a tank remaining but a lot of it went away in about 50ish miles - not sure if that’s the exact number since it’s been 6 months since). But I think maintaining the 65, especially when everyone else is doing something like 75, can be more dangerous than anything and, in those cases, doesn’t seem worth it imo
Car with claimed tax credits appears to depreciate more. In CA, at the time the car was produced, there's $7500 Federal credit, up to $6500 state rebate, up to $1000 rebate from Utilities companies, and up to $5000 MSRP reduction as a part of a Costco auto program. If an individual claimed all of these, the car barely depreciates. Furthermore, a used Clarity in southern California right now can claim up to $4000 federal used EV incentive, and up to $4000 Utility company rebate. Rebates don't equate 1 to 1 depreciation value. But if you were someone who could qualify the max amount, you got a banger deal.
You know, I never really thought about it from that angle but that would explain a lot about how certain cars are falling in value. I didn’t realize the EV Incentives applied to PHEVs though.
True. Especially as the EV battery degrades. Its nice fueling up for $30 but if they could have fit in a 10 gallon tank this car woukd be nearly perfect for trips
Thanks for the video. I have had my 2018 Clarity since I bought it new in early 2019. Paid $36K in Kansas without all the rebates/etc that coastal folks got. Best car I've ever had. I tell people I got a $50K car for $36K ;-) Likes: Interior (as you mentioned, it's very nice). Ride quality (awesome suspension, making even bumpy concrete pavement smooth). Roomy (much bigger than its series-hybrid PHEV progenitor, the Chevy Volt). 40 to 60 miles of all EV range (depending on season and if one drives over 50 mph). Smooth, quiet torque, especially for in-town driving (it was designed as a full-EV, but without the huge battery - so it has all the advantages of an EV, without the range anxiety, charging time, or up-front CO2 footprint.) 1/5th the size of the battery in a full EV - so much better for the planet - even if you count the CO2 footprint of the 1.5L engine. Zero range anxiety (unlike a full EV, we can fill up at gas stations when road-tripping. I have driven it for 4 years and as you said, never use any gas except when I put it in hybrid mode for significant distance interstate travel). Appearance (except for the fender-skirts over the rear tires). Dislikes: Hard to think of any other than the fender skirts. The gas tank could be bigger as you said, but personally I like to stop every couple hours anyway. I think this issue is very dependent on 'use-case'. The windshield washer is anemic. Honestly, that's about it. It's very hard for me to think about dislikes because I honestly love the car 🙂
I’m happy you’re enjoying your clarity. I definitely think it’s a hero on the Honda lineup that was treated as a zero which is sad but that makes it great as a deal, both used and new
Have had a used 2018 Clarity for a little over a week now and watched many you tube videos about it. I'm super happy that my commuting will be all electric. I am changing how I'm driving to maximize efficiency so now I keep it at 65 mph on the brief highway stretch of my commute. I think there is a broader benefit to this in terms of overall reduced carbon foot print. It would be super if everyone slowed down no matter what kind of car their driving! We should all use less energy in our lives. Cars like the Clarity help move us in that direction. Keeping it at 65 mph on long trips can offset the need to stop for gas (given the small tank) as often. One commenter said he does this and it doesn't make the trip take longer because there are fewer stops. I don't like the adaptive assist/lane assist but it's my first car with this feature and it's possible I'll find a reason to like it at some point. For now, I have the ACC off and am just using basic cruise control. I like the interior, find the seats comfortable and the car handles well. I love the fact that the back seats fold down and I'll be able to fit my skis in there! Given the front wheel drive, I will likely get snow tires in winter which will reduce EV range.
Congrats on the Clarity. I will say, the environmental impact from the car can be hit or miss since it did use a bit of material to make the battery and some to make the engine but the 50+ mpg is also something shouldn’t be disregarded. The 65 mpg is fair. The night I got my speeding ticket, I lost a significant amount of range to the point where I had to refuel (I had half a tank remaining but a lot of it went away in about 50ish miles - not sure if that’s the exact number since it’s been 6 months since). But I think maintaining the 65, especially when everyone else is doing something like 75, can be more dangerous than anything and, in those cases, doesn’t seem worth it imo
Car with claimed tax credits appears to depreciate more. In CA, at the time the car was produced, there's $7500 Federal credit, up to $6500 state rebate, up to $1000 rebate from Utilities companies, and up to $5000 MSRP reduction as a part of a Costco auto program. If an individual claimed all of these, the car barely depreciates. Furthermore, a used Clarity in southern California right now can claim up to $4000 federal used EV incentive, and up to $4000 Utility company rebate. Rebates don't equate 1 to 1 depreciation value. But if you were someone who could qualify the max amount, you got a banger deal.
You know, I never really thought about it from that angle but that would explain a lot about how certain cars are falling in value. I didn’t realize the EV Incentives applied to PHEVs though.
The tiny 7 gallon tank sucks
Agreed lol. It does the job around the city but taking it on longer road trips does test the limits of it
True. Especially as the EV battery degrades. Its nice fueling up for $30 but if they could have fit in a 10 gallon tank this car woukd be nearly perfect for trips