Next Winner

First-generation Clarity was all-new for 2018

Offered as Electric, Fuel Cell, and PHEV

Unique aluminum-intensive chassis engineered for alternative powertrains

PHEV boasts 48-mile pure-EV range

Roomy five-passenger cabin

Base price of $34,330 (includes $930 destination) | See Clarity models for sale near you

It takes a special vehicle to win a Best Buy award three years in a row — especially when it has only been on the market for that same period of time. The exceptional automobile fitting that description is the Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), which is the Kelley Blue Book Plug-in Hybrid Car Best Buy of 2020.

Launched new for the 2018 model year, the Honda Clarity is offered in three very distinct variants: pure electric, fuel cell, and PHEV. While this jack-of-all-trades assortment of powertrains may sound like Honda has made compromises, just the opposite is true — the Clarity was engineered as a clean-sheet design with each of those unique models in mind. As a result, driving dynamics are excellent, cargo space and interior utility impressive, and passenger concessions are few and far between.

A Plug-In Powertrain with Cross-Country Aspirations

Most of today’s plug-in hybrid vehicles offer very limited range in electric-only mode — expect 15-25 miles from most — but the Clarity PHEV boasts a 17-kWh battery (the largest in the segment) that helps to deliver an impressive EPA-rated electric range of 48 miles. And, once the battery is depleted, a 1.5-liter four-cylinder combustion engine springs to life to power the motor. With a 7-gallon fuel tank, and a real-world consumption rate of about 45 mpg on regular unleaded gasoline, the Clarity PHEV delivers about 350 miles of travel on a single fill-up.

Yet the range of the Clarity is even more impressive as a daily commuter or errand runner. If the owner starts with a fully charged battery each morning (a home Level 2 charger will fill the battery in fewer than three hours) and then plugs into a charger at the office, the combustion engine will see much less use. In this scenario, fuel economy is doubled or tripled. Owners reporting triple-digit numbers is not uncommon. Even the Kelley Blue Book long-term Honda Clarity PHEV, which sees more than its fair share of road trips, is averaging about 98 mpg overall.

Solid Driving Dynamics and a Roomy Passenger Cabin

Nobody will confuse the Clarity for a sport sedan, as delivering fuel efficiency is its primary mission, but a low center of gravity, responsive brakes, and accurate steering feel result in very nice driving dynamics – agile around town, and very stable on open highways. Outward vision is also good (much credit to the large exterior mirrors and lower glass panel on the trunk) and that makes maneuvering in traffic and parking lots effortless.

Unlike most in this category, the Clarity is a legitimate 5-seater with generous headroom and legroom in both rows. There is plenty of open storage throughout the cabin complementing a roomy glove box and center console. And, despite that battery pack, the Honda’s trunk isn’t compromised by any intrusion (the second-row seatbacks even fold to allow large items to pass-through). While on the road, the passenger cabin is serene and quiet — best in the segment — credit a focus on wind management, acoustic-laminated side glass, and active noise cancellation.

Honda Safety, Reliability and Resale Value Reassure

Savvy shoppers need to look past its awkward styling and frustrating infotainment system (it completely lacks a volume knob) and focus on the Clarity’s high accolades in industry benchmark consumer categories — the Honda excels in safety, reliability, and resale value.

Focusing on safety, the Clarity PHEV satisfies with standard Honda Sensing. This suite of driver-assistance features includes forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control (with traffic assist), automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The Clarity is also fitted with LaneWatch, which is a camera-based system that peers in the driver’s blind spot to aid lane changes.

Honda has a long-established track record of reliability, and the Clarity PHEV makes no exception. Despite its complex powertrain, the sedan promises to be reliable for the duration (we’ve put 19,000 flaw-free miles on our long-termer). The Clarity was one of our top finishers in the KBB Best Resale Value Awards and the vehicle earns an impressively low KBB 5-Year Cost to Own figure — it’s frugal on fuel, and inexpensive to keep on the road.

Priced Right Plus Federal Incentives

The 2020 Honda Clarity PHEV has a base price of $34,330 (includes $930 destination). The Clarity PHEV Touring, which is very well equipped, has a base price of $37,530 (includes $930 destination). Keep in mind that there are federal tax credits, upwards of $7,500, which may be applied to offset the purchase price. And, the Clarity PHEV is eligible for “carpool lane” access in many states, which saves the owner time.

Photo Tour: 2020 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid