Clarity Base Vs. Touring - What made you choose?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Aspesi4
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Aspesi4 said:
Hi everyone -

I'm considering the Clarity PHEV. Here in Massachusetts we have a $2,500 state rebate and of course there's the $7,500 federal tax credit. I have quotes for the base at $29,900 and the touring at $32,900. So really I can get the base for $19,900 or the touring for $22,900.

What made you choose the base over the touring or the touring over the base? I look at this care primarily as a commuter vehicle and I'm doubting the extra $3,000 is worth it. I do love the leather though!

Thoughts?
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Leather and power seats. Didn't want to downgrade. CarPlay/Android auto would do for navigation unless you need 'offline' maps. Unfortunately Apps that provide that like Here or iGO are not allowed on carPlay.
 
Mariner91 said:
As in, it would give you the fastest route based on current traffic conditions? Or does it tell you traffic conditions, but not calculate it into the route? This is how our Odyssey works, and was told by dealer that it was the same on the Clarity,.
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It will give you decent traffic, offline maps (great if you don't want to waste data) but IMHO the route calculation strategy is way below Google maps. For instance, it will force you into freeways even though going via bystreets will result in less travel time.
 
coutinpe said:
It will give you decent traffic, offline maps (great if you don't want to waste data) but IMHO the route calculation strategy is way below Google maps. For instance, it will force you into freeways even though going via bystreets will result in less travel time.
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I've had it route onto the interstate for a single exit, then right back off, just to avoid one backed up lighted intersection on the service road. Second, check the "optimize route for" or whatever it's called setting. In the one for hybrid mileage, it consistently puts me on a maze of farm roads instead of the 70 mph highway.
 
Mowcowbell said:
I think the main issue between the two trim levels is the $3K. If the difference was $1500, I think I could have justified the Touring model. But for $3000 more, I didn't see that much value for the bucks.

I think Honda needs to rethink the pricing on the Touring.
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you can get more off the Touring list so the difference is not that great. I love the power seats of long trips. by adjusting it many ways really helps fatigue
 
coutinpe said:
Leather and power seats. Didn't want to downgrade. CarPlay/Android auto would do for navigation unless you need 'offline' maps. Unfortunately Apps that provide that like Here or iGO are not allowed on carPlay.
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Google Maps lets you download maps by region. (on iOS, I assume on Android too).
 
My memory from when I chose the Touring was that in addition to the seats being power, and with memory, they had one more possible adjustment then the manual seats on the base did. I believe it was seat cushion tilt.

This is one of those things that’s either worth nothing, or every penny, but it’s hard to know which until you have driven the car for a while.


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
 
petteyg359 said:
I've had it route onto the interstate for a single exit, then right back off, just to avoid one backed up lighted intersection on the service road. Second, check the "optimize route for" or whatever it's called setting. In the one for hybrid mileage, it consistently puts me on a maze of farm roads instead of the 70 mph highway.
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Pettey, I stand corrected. Yesterday I was stuck in a traffic jam in a street and the traffic icon was sweetly green. When asking for 'traffic conditions' it told me 'there is no traffic on your route'. Bottomline, I agree 100% with you, this Garmin traffic sucks!
 
AlanSqB said:
It’s Garmin based and the updates are free, but you have to upload them. It gets FM traffic info also.
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A $69 Garmin factory refurb does all that. BTDT

markc said:
We travel on a regular basis through some very empty areas of Colorado and Wyoming where there is no cell service at all, in face we can drive for hours with no service, and without that phone-based navigation apps are useless.
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See above plus there's like only 6 roads in those areas that connect the few towns out there (light sarc). No real need for a $3k NAV just follow the road signs. :p
 
fotomoto said:
A $69 Garmin factory refurb does all that. BTDT
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And the Garmin lets you have navigation and the audio screen on at the same time!
It was an easy choice for me to get the base, I dislike sweaty leather in the summer and I dislike the slow response of power seats.
 
petteyg359 said:
Leather - Because everything is better in leather. Easier to avoid road rage when your car's interior makes you comfortable [emoji14]
Seats - I have odd height proportions. Having the extra-adjustable seat is great, and if I let somebody else drive my car, that little button on the door to automatically put the seat back in my preferred position is also great.

And after several months, I find the Garmin navigation is actually more convenient than plugging in my phone for Android Auto. Also, the car seems to be much better at silencing the radio when a call comes in via Bluetooth than Android is at silencing a media application if Android Auto is running.

Obviously I have the Touring.
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Atkinson said:
I got the base model, but sometimes pine for the fine Corinthian leather.
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I chose the base model because I wasn't interested in paying for navigation and as the only likely driver didn't think power seats were critical.
Although I've had leather seats in my last half dozen vehicles it wouldn't bother me to have the tastefully appointed base seat covers. Kept telling myself I didn't need leather no big deal... But within three weeks of ownership I had Katzkin "factory level" leather installed. It looks and feels great and was half the price of Touring upgrade at my dealership. I am now completely satisfied. But maybe that steering wheel.....


Sent from my Moto G (5S) Plus using Inside EVs mobile app
 
I figured the car will be a long term keeper so I wanted all the options. Plus I find the power seats make it easy to adjust my position.
 
Douglas Wester said:
... But maybe that steering wheel.....
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Takes some time and effort to stitch on (they provide wax covered thick lacing thread and the needle), but much nicer than the original plastic like surface (base model). Not as soft as the touring model factory steering wheel leather, but okay and less expensive and less effort than trying to changing the entire wheel assembly to get the touring version.

Tried some of those slide on versions first. They were too wide and did not feel right.

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PHONE: 510-841-2128
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Original One-Color Wheelskins
Make: Honda
Model: Clarity
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