A new Clarity video from Tom Voelk

Discussion in 'Clarity' started by PHEV Newbie, Nov 28, 2018.

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  1. PHEV Newbie

    PHEV Newbie Well-Known Member

    I like his videos but I'm disappointed he drove the Clarity mostly with a depleted battery. As he owns a Caddy ELR, he should know better! At least this is the first review video I'm aware of that was made by an actual PHEV owner!

     
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2018
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  3. LAF

    LAF Active Member

    The idea that the engine routinely comes on when you accelerate strongly (his biggest gripe) or go uphill is clearly wrong if you have EV miles left.
     
  4. insightman

    insightman Well-Known Member Subscriber

    The key word is "strongly."
     
  5. LAF

    LAF Active Member

    Even accelerating "strongly" (i.e. entering a highway, which is quite strong) when there is EV power does not turn on the engine for me
     
  6. insightman

    insightman Well-Known Member Subscriber

    In ECON Mode, if you press hard on the accelerator pedal, you'll go through the "click" point, which changes the power from 121-hp using battery alone to 181-hp by using the battery and the engine to power the Clarity's traction motor. That's how you can accelerate "strongly" in the Clarity PHEV.
     
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  8. KentuckyKen

    KentuckyKen Well-Known Member

    I have yet to have to accelerate so “strongly” to merge onto an expressway that I pushed past the click and engaged the ICE. I have found the Clarity has plenty enough pep in its step in EV/noICE to merge on battery alone. And I don’t drive like Grandma Moses! If I have to floor it then I’m not merging safely. I only use the other side of the click for emergencies.

    However I most confess that I like being able to “smoke” (or would that be electrocute?) almost every gasmobile out there 0 to 30 mph.
     
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  9. Mark W

    Mark W Active Member

    CT
    I think that the video gives a very accurate summary of the car. I also believe that the amount that the gas engine kicks in during EV mode is overstated. Do I just drive like a grampa?

    One thing mentioned in this review that I have heard in many reviews is a slight criticism of the glass pass through in the trunk. I don't understand people's obsession with criticizing it. I think it very well designed, functional, and works perfectly.
     
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  10. PHEV Newbie

    PHEV Newbie Well-Known Member

    Agreed on the lower window. It is totally functional. Even on the best visibility windows, the view is obstructed by the headrests. The little window just gives you that portion back. Agreed with Voelk that it was a whole lot of engineering just for that bit. But that's what Honda's always done -- provide great visibility.
     
  11. jdonalds

    jdonalds Well-Known Member

    I'm pretty much in line with you Ken. But I also appreciate the detent design which allows me to kick in the rest of the power. More than once I've used it to get the Clarity out of the way of a car that could have caused an accident. I'm glad it isn't just a button I'd have to hunt for and push.
     
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  13. jdonalds

    jdonalds Well-Known Member

    To me the little window is useless. When I adjust the rear view mirror for my viewing I don't even see the little window, and it is so low there is nothing to see anyway. To me it is a total waste of engineering and manufacturing resources.
    [​IMG]

    I'm guessing Honda didn't make the Clarity a hatch back because of the extra weight. But that would have been sweet.
     
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  14. craze1cars

    craze1cars Well-Known Member

    Not a fan of the little window. Don’t use it, don’t need it, and it allows potential thieves to see what I have in the trunk.

    Frankly I found his review to be spot on. Well done and I agree with almost every word he said, pros and cons.
     
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2018
  15. dnb

    dnb Active Member

  16. jdonalds

    jdonalds Well-Known Member

  17. dnb

    dnb Active Member

    Having left my kids school while it was raining today... I was very glad for that glass section :)

    Its also there for peripheral vision not necessarily to look through.
     
  18. dnb

    dnb Active Member

    Just finished the video... I dislike how he had under 5 EV miles during the whole thing, the car definitely feels and drives a lot differently if the battery is low. His uphill gripes also bugged me.. I live on one of the steepest hills I've come across and was worried when getting the clarity because I wasn't sure how it would handle it.. and it flies up it w/o issue or requiring gas. He has a PHEV so why isn't he keeping this one properly charged :(
     
  19. jdonalds

    jdonalds Well-Known Member

    That is a good video review. I pretty much agree with him but the sarcasm makes things seem worse than they are.

    I don't think he needs a new $15,000 camera. 99% of youtube video is done on a DSLR or Mirrorless camera these days. Even if you splurge you won't need more than $3,000-4,000 for a top-notch body and a couple of lenses. You can use a much less expensive setup and do a great job. Check out the Fuji line.
     
  20. jdonalds

    jdonalds Well-Known Member

    I find the wide view (of the three choices) of the back-up camera does a very good job of providing peripheral views. It's almost 180 degrees. Again as long as the lens isn't wet which can render it useless.
     
  21. Claritydfw

    Claritydfw Member

    I believe he said he had it for a few days and had charged it a few times. He even stated the actual EV range he was getting in the weather conditions he had. The video was obviously recorded in one session so seeing that he had a 5mi EV range during the screen time you watched does not indicate that he only drove on a depleted battery only.
     
  22. dnb

    dnb Active Member

    I was basing that off his comments about how often he had the ICE turn on... maybe he just really has a lead foot but I run in EV only 99% of the time, even @ 60mph+

    Maybe he had ECON mode off
     
  23. Claritydfw

    Claritydfw Member

    I see. I too have noticed when Econ is off it’s much easier to fire up the ICE unit. One thing I wish Honda had was a lockout option to run in EV only. In the end I am glad he spoke from experience on how a plug in hybrid works. Some reviews I have viewed make me believe they don’t understand the car they are driving.
     

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