The 850LB / 385KG load capacity of the Clarity seemed unusually low to me, so while researching spare tire options I decided to compare the Clarity to my wife's Subaru Crosstrek. Turns out, not that much difference: 2018 Clarity Touring GVWR= 4965LB / 2252KG GAWR (Front)= 2579LB / 1170KG GAWR (Rear)= 2460LB / 1116KG Load Capacity 850LB / 385KG Standard Tires: 235X45R18 94V Spare tire: None 2018 Subaru Crosstrek Limited GVWR= 4343LB / 1970KG GAWR (Front)= 2227LB / 1010KG GAWR (Rear)= 2205LB / 1000KG Load Capacity 900LB / 408KG Standard Tires: 225/55R18 98H Spare tire: 145/80D17 107M That rabbit hole led to another so I looked up the load capacity of a few other models: 2018 Ford F150: 1485-2311LB / 674-1048KG (Depends on options) 2018 Honda Accord: 850LB / 385KG 2018 Honda Ridgeline: 1465LB / 665KG 2018 Mazda 6 Grand Touring: 992LB / 450KG 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid: 925LB / 420KG (Online Manual) 2018 Toyota RAV4: 900LB / 410KG (Online Manual) 2018 Toyota Prius Prime: 670LB / 305KG (Online Manual) Load capacity is not always easy to find. Toyota makes it easier with their customized online manuals, but some others use example weights in their manuals, and not actual weights. I understand this info is on every door jam/plate, but seems it should be a standard line item on the spec page. Load Capacity can be determined by subtracting Curb Weight from GVWR, but many times the numbers you need are not listed. My take from this? Load capacities are lower than I thought. Now back to looking at spare tire options.
The Touring's weight is usually quoted at 4,059 lbs. I'd guess that's the "dry weight," but with just a 7-gallon gas tank and 3.5 quarts of oil in the engine, the "wet weight" can't be a whole lot heavier. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is, of course, the maximum expected weight with passengers and/or luggage.
Base curb weight is listed as 4052 and Touring at 4059. 4965-4052= 913 4965-4059= 906 Both those numbers are higher than the stated load capacity of 850lb, so maybe Honda is leaving a safety buffer?
Well, if you consider 7 gallons of gas weighs 42 lbs and 3.5 gallons of oil weighs 24.5 lbs, that 66.5 lbs more than accounts for the difference.
