Accord to Clarity as a family car, thoughts?
- Thread starter Phil C
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I did the same. I test drove the Volt and Clarity back-to-back and you instantly notice the difference in size. The Clarity was much bigger and comfier than the smaller Volt.
And to answer the OP, nothing would change in terms of space and comfort if you switch from an Accord. The Clarity is very similar in dimensions. However, the trunk cargo space is a bit odd. The floor is slightly elevated at the back and thus, if you put anything there, it would slide to the lower part. But the trunk is quite big and it fits a TON of stuff. Easily a stroller.
If you don't care for rebate or PHEV, wait for the new Honda Insight. It has the higher MPG than the accord hybrid and it looks a lot better.
Chang, Jorgie, how do you like other things about the Clarity vs. your old Accord? We have a similar vintage Accord, so I'm curious.
Has it been difficult making the transition in terms of plugging it in? You know, such issues as getting a charger installed, remembering to plug or unplug it, etc.
What about the visibility? When I sat in one, I thought it was less, both in terms of the front windows and the rear view mirror.
How about the cabin itself? There, too, it felt more cramped to me, I think because of the sloping roof.
What about that crazy hall of mirrors driver-side mirror? It nearly gave me vertigo looking at it!
Finally, what are you overall impressions? What are the best things about it compared to your old Accords?
Appreciate any insights you have!
DVoran
Member
Im totally into Hybrid & PHEV after seeing my friend's Sonata PHEV. Really surprised after seeing him not put the gas for 3 months.
After many studies and reading the review, Clarity is the most flashing and wanna have feeling. PHEV and big interior side and much more... I'm totally sold.
However, Since I'm in Canada, Quebec, it is impossible to see the actual car. No dealership has in stock or on the floor to test drive. I have to reserve it and wait until the cars arrive to see the real car (and the waiting list is pretty long).
We are very happy with our Honda Accord 2007 EX-L. Very spacious interieur, decent cargo size and for more than 10 years, it didn't give me a big trouble. But the MPG is getting worst, car itself is getting old, so it is time to look for our next car. We are 2 adults and 1 baby (4 months) and planning to have a 2nd one near future. Question to Clarity owners, how is it as a family car? Is the cargo space is enough for 2 strollers and other stuffs like grocery bags? I'm not looking for putting 60" TV or IKEA stuffs since they aren't anyways going into my current Accord. But we would like to see if we can keep the same habits.
Your thoughts & recommendations are much appreciated.
If you’re satisfied with your Accord you’ll be more than satisfied with the Clarity. Went out with another couple who owned a 3 year old Accord and they said the Clarity had as much, if not more back seat space than their car. Trunk swallowed 2 golf bags with clubs and other things without having to use the pass through.
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GTO 409 asks a number of questions about moving from an old Accord to a new Clarity. I'll answer them, but the big picture is at the top:
-I like everything about the Clarity better than the old Accord. Period. (Except the slightly smaller passthrough, that has never been an issue). A lot of this is just getting a 15-year-newer car with lots of new bells and whistles. But of the cars I looked at, all of which had fairly long battery range, (Volt, Bolt, Model 3, Leaf, Prius) the Clarity was by far the most Accord-like and relatively inexpensive, after tax breaks. So transition was very easy. There was an "Ah, this is the right car" feeling when I sat in it. By far the best DIFFERENCE is the ability to zip about electrically for 50 miles. You should not discount how much better/more fun this is than cars with a shorter range, especially if this falls within your usual commuting distance.
-Visibility: Felt the same. Maybe tougher front-of-car sense, and maybe a tiny bit worse in back but you are getting a rear camera for backups. Never think about it.
-Cabin: Cramped? Really? Maybe the front seat was put as high as possible when you were sitting in it? Not my experience. Feels wider, actually, than my Accord.
-Side mirror: Never think about it.
-Plugging in: Different, but not bad. A Level 2 charger is not necessary, but sure is very nice (I did Level 1 for a few months, now level 2). I did forget a few times, but so what? Then I drive at 44mpg for a trip.
Unfortunately, I'm in Montreal and it is too bad that we don't have a such center to try out these new EV cars... Hoping to see if anyone from this forum lives in Montreal and gentil enough to allow me to see the actual product... if not, I have to go to dealer and blindly reserve it for next stock arrival...
Never thought about this approach... Do you think the US dealership will let me test drive it even if i came from Canada and I won't be their potential buyer?
US clarity has no battery heater but offers power seats in touring model. Battery heater is important in very cold (-17 C or below) weather, especially if your car parks outside.
We went from 2012 Nissan Quest to Clarity PHEV (note 10% here might have Clarity EV or Fuel Cell, that has a smaller trunk than PHEV). The trunk area on the car is probably comparable to the back area of the van, deeper but less vertical. We can still fit a fairly large stroller in there, but you might need to shop around a bit.
We have 3 kids 4, 6, and 13 and 90% of the time there are no more than 4 people in the car, but take long trips once or twice a year. We usually put one of the kids in a compact booster to make room in the rear seat for all 3 on those trips, but the car is very wide, wider than any compact SUV. 3 across is not a big deal, will even fit 3 car seats across.
We averaged 17 mpg in the quest and 40 mpg in the Clarity, not to mention electric of Clarity. Since Dec we have put 20,000 miles on the Clarity, the Van would have used about 1176 gallons of fuel in that time. The Clarity we have used around 200 gallons. In 1 year we will have saved 1000 gallons of fuel vs our van, even vs the Accord Hybrid we are looking at a savings around 200 gallons/year due to the electric range.
We went from 2012 Nissan Quest to Clarity PHEV (note 10% here might have Clarity EV or Fuel Cell, that has a smaller trunk than PHEV). The trunk area on the car is probably comparable to the back area of the van, deeper but less vertical. We can still fit a fairly large stroller in there, but you might need to shop around a bit.
We have 3 kids 4, 6, and 13 and 90% of the time there are no more than 4 people in the car, but take long trips once or twice a year. We usually put one of the kids in a compact booster to make room in the rear seat for all 3 on those trips, but the car is very wide, wider than any compact SUV. 3 across is not a big deal, will even fit 3 car seats across.
We averaged 17 mpg in the quest and 40 mpg in the Clarity, not to mention electric of Clarity. Since Dec we have put 20,000 miles on the Clarity, the Van would have used about 1176 gallons of fuel in that time. The Clarity we have used around 200 gallons. In 1 year we will have saved 1000 gallons of fuel vs our van, even vs the Accord Hybrid we are looking at a savings around 200 gallons/year due to the electric range.
V8Power
Active Member
You can also order and put in a clause that is conditional on your test drive satisfaction.Unfortunately, I'm in Montreal and it is too bad that we don't have a such center to try out these new EV cars... Hoping to see if anyone from this forum lives in Montreal and gentil enough to allow me to see the actual product... if not, I have to go to dealer and blindly reserve it for next stock arrival...
jdonalds
Well-Known Member
One of our favorite cars of the past was a 2003 Honda CRV. What I'd really like is to have the Clarity power plant(s) in a CRV with a 50 mile EV range. That would give us the taller sitting position we prefer, and more cargo space. Alas that car doesn't exist.
The country is moving away from sedans rapidly. It seems a lot of people feel the way we do. I'm sure Honda or Toyota will eventually put a high mile range PHEV out in a CRV or Rav4 model. When that happens we are unlikely to switch but I'll drool over them.
The country is moving away from sedans rapidly. It seems a lot of people feel the way we do. I'm sure Honda or Toyota will eventually put a high mile range PHEV out in a CRV or Rav4 model. When that happens we are unlikely to switch but I'll drool over them.
KentuckyKen
Well-Known Member
Jdonalds, I traded a 2008 CR-V for my Clarity and I agree that a CR-V PHEV would be the perfect vehicle. Unfortunately, I don’t think Honda can just drop in the power plant and batteries from a Clarity. They would have to design it from scratch. The Clarity only works because of it’s designed to be light weight, aerodynamic, and have room for the batteries. Thus we have such things as aluminum panels, high strength steels, 7 gal gas tank, <1.5 qt ww fluid, plastic /composite firewall and bumper, etc., along with many features omitted.
So the CRV would have to be totally redesigned and purpose built for this especially since it would require a larger battery pack. As battery tech matures and cost per kW go down while energy density goes up, we will see more small SUVs and eventually full size SUVs and even trucks. And they will be able to transition to full BEV. All the pioneering BEVs and PHEVs are sedans because this was all the technology could support in an affordable manner. And early on all except Teslas were on the small side. (That was Tesla’s magic; they made a BEV that was full size with gasmobile range before anybody thought you could do it “affordably”.)
One day we will look back on our forward thinking purchase of the Clarity and brag about being the early adopting pioneers that saw the day of the ICE was coming to a close before the general public did. We just had to accept some compromises because of the current technology, like sedan instead of SUV and PHEV instead of BEV. I am giddy with anticipation over what kind of vehicle I will trade my Clarity in for in 10 years. Until then we are almost unanimous on this forum that we bought the best design available for the price.
So the CRV would have to be totally redesigned and purpose built for this especially since it would require a larger battery pack. As battery tech matures and cost per kW go down while energy density goes up, we will see more small SUVs and eventually full size SUVs and even trucks. And they will be able to transition to full BEV. All the pioneering BEVs and PHEVs are sedans because this was all the technology could support in an affordable manner. And early on all except Teslas were on the small side. (That was Tesla’s magic; they made a BEV that was full size with gasmobile range before anybody thought you could do it “affordably”.)
One day we will look back on our forward thinking purchase of the Clarity and brag about being the early adopting pioneers that saw the day of the ICE was coming to a close before the general public did. We just had to accept some compromises because of the current technology, like sedan instead of SUV and PHEV instead of BEV. I am giddy with anticipation over what kind of vehicle I will trade my Clarity in for in 10 years. Until then we are almost unanimous on this forum that we bought the best design available for the price.
This is where I first drove the bolt and clarity. It sold me on electric immediately. Went on a waiting list after the drive and got it in time for the 13k rebate.
Phil ... I will likely be in Montreal this Saturday afternoon. I'll message you separately and perhaps we can meet so you can see my white touring edition.Unfortunately, I'm in Montreal and it is too bad that we don't have a such center to try out these new EV cars... Hoping to see if anyone from this forum lives in Montreal and gentil enough to allow me to see the actual product... if not, I have to go to dealer and blindly reserve it for next stock arrival...
Cheers,
Gary
My wife has a 2017 Accord. My Clarity feels at least the same size. Trunk space is comparable. I can easily fit 3 golf bags in the trunk so I see strollers as a non-issue. 5 adults fit comfortably. Main differences: Accord has a range of over 500 miles on a full tank, my Clarity around 350 miles (battery plus gas engine), most notably the Clarity drive is amazing in its smoothness and quietness. Having said that my wife's V6 Accord can kick butt in the acceleration category but you may not be that interested in that having little kids. The sport mode on the Clarity is very respectable in the acceleration category though.
I believe that you get the same 181 horsepower from the electric traction motor when you floor your Clarity in ECON, NORMAL, or SPORT mode. The difference is in how much power you get in each mode when the accelerator pedal is in other positions.
