2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid

Unlike limited-availability Honda Clarity derivatives, the Plug-In Hybrid is available for purchase nationwide, with a model line-up comprising two trims. The base Clarity Plug-In Hybrid starts off with a base MSRP of $33,400 before options, licensing, registration, and a $920 destination charge, while the range-topping Touring is priced from $36,600. The Clarity Plug-In is, however, eligible for up to $7,500 in federal tax credits, while various states may offer purchase incentives, such as the $1,500 incentive by the state of California and use of the HOV lane even when riding solo. Other states offer a number of tax rebates, purchase and lease incentives, and charger rebates and credits.

Despite a smaller battery than the Electric and FCV variants, the Clarity Plug-In carries the additional weight of a combustion engine over the front axle. This works to its benefit, however, as the additional weight settles the front end over bumps. While the Electric tends to be floaty over undulating surfaces, the Plug-In's additional weight pins the front end leading to smoother, more predictable handling and driving characteristics. However, the suspension is still soft, and around corners, the extra weight results in more body-roll. On bumpy roads, there's still excess movement, and the Clarity relies on wheel travel rather than damping to iron out bumps - which can lead to an uncomfortable ride.

The steering, however, is sharp and direct, with good weighting and ample responses. But the system is numb, providing little feedback and ignoring the most minor of inputs. Braking is blended with regenerative capabilities, and steering mounted paddle shifters control the amount of regeneration at hand, but regeneration is still minimal and the brake pedal needs to be used almost as normal.

清晰不运动,也不relish in being threaded through a twisty mountain pass. But it's still more resolved in this incarnation than the pure electric version, and the city limits suit the Clarity PHEV most.

With nationwide availability and a 340-mile range, not to mention an all-electric range of more than half that of the Clarity Electric, the Clarity PHEV is the best Clarity money can buy. Impressive gas mileage is complemented by high levels of standard safety, an abundance of interior space, and one of the largest trunks of any plug-in hybrid in the midsize segment. But there are flaws, too, and the Clarity isn't the most enjoyable or most composed vehicle in its class. Despite the ride quality improving over the Clarity Electric, poor surfaces still upset its composure, and the drivetrain isn't particularly potent at highway speeds. It's noisy too, which doesn't help when others are more refined, and if you think you can crank the volume up to hide the drone of the CVT transmission, there's no knob on the infotainment, and the touch zones are too small for you to effectively up the volume on the go. The best Clarity isn't the best midsize hybrid.

Of the two trims on offer, we recommend the base model Clarity Plug-In. It features all the same advanced safety features, and the cost saving is worth forgoing leather upholstery and navigation, especially since the latter function can be taken care of via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Power seat adjustment is a nice to have, but not a necessity, however, we do recommend splashing out on the optional reverse parking sensors at a minimal cost.

The Honda Insight might be classified as a compact car, but the all-new hybrid from Honda has greater front and rear legroom than the Clarity, while 15.1 cubic feet of cargo volume in the Insight is nearly as much as the Clarity offers. Both are equally economical and both offer similar performance. The Insight has slightly better driving dynamics and is $10,000 cheaper than the Clarity, but the Clarity offers standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality and has a more upmarket interior. However, the Insight isn't a plug-in, which means there's no electric-only mode. If you're hell-bent on a plug-in, then we'd recommend the Clarity, but if you're OK with forgoing pure electric driving range, the Insight might be a better option at a discounted price.

Chevrolet is taking the EV fight to Tesla with the Bolt, but the second generation Volt is still a highly desirable plug-in alternative in the midsize segment. The Volt loses out compared to the Clarity in terms of trunk volume by a good margin, while the rear seats don't accommodate adults anywhere near as comfortably as the Clarity does. Where the Volt draws back is in its 53-mile electric range versus the 47 miles offered by the Clarity, and in its enjoyable driving dynamics, robust acceleration, and better-resolved suspension. The Volt also has a superior infotainment system, which let's face it, isn't very difficult. Both are priced similarly, and while the Clarity offers a nicer cabin with more space, the Volt is better to drive.