Green Car Report Aug 3

[su_A_ve]

One pedal driving in NJ is a perfect way to get rear ended.

When we first test drove the Clarity, my wife said I should look for a smaller car especially if we were looking to use it as a commute car (12 miles each way). We then test drove a Prius, a Volt and even a Fusion (though a 2017). Could not find an Ioniq within a 50 mile radius. Clarity won hands down in price and interior capacity. We kept on laughing at the trunk or hatch space. Or how the Volt called it a 5 seater if you straddle the console.

Even from a financial standpoint, it was a no-contest. But would have gladly paid a few thousand more over the other ones (after tax credits) for the extra cargo.

 

[amy2421]

Trunk capacity was a huge factor for us as well. Looked in the trunk of the Fusion Energi and promptly ruled it out.

 

[StickWare]

I don't use the paddles, I drive it like a conventional car, like how I drive in past 20 years.

Learn!! By using the petals, I probably use the brakes half of normal use. Probably less. This will save on wear n tear on brakes.

I can exit the freeway and never hit brakes until I get from 15mph to 0.

 

[Alantn]

Speaking of the pedals for regen, does anyone know if the brake lights turn on if you use it to slow down? It would be a hazard if you slow down too quickly and the brake light is not on to alert the driver behind you.

 

[su_A_ve]

Speaking of the pedals for regen, does anyone know if the brake lights turn on if you use it to slow down? It would be a hazard if you slow down too quickly and the brake light is not on to alert the driver behind you.

It is my impression that they don't. But will check tonight

 

[insightman]

Speaking of the pedals for regen, does anyone know if the brake lights turn on if you use it to slow down? It would be a hazard if you slow down too quickly and the brake light is not on to alert the driver behind you.

The brake pedal activates the brake lights no matter how lightly you press it. Some on this forum have reported that the brake lights come on after you pull the left paddle 3 times (4 chevrons), but I have yet to confirm that for myself.

However, our Clarity on 4 chevrons doesn't decelerate faster than my manual-shift car using engine braking in a low gear. Fortunately the lack of brake lights in that situation hasn't resulted in the following car running into mine.

 

[Chuck]

Putting on the brakes in the Clarity will not use the friction brakes unless you 'max out' the regen as shown on the lower left on the 'power' display. I do use the paddles but mainly for long downhills(like downshifting in a manual). No difference between paddle regen and light braking in the amount of power you get back, I have tried it on a long downhill stretch near the house. My wife has a Bolt and we were thinking of the Volt, it is more sporty (when battery is over 50%) and I prefer the stronger regen. one pedal driving did not mean much to me until we got the Bolt, going the whole day without moving your right foot to the left is really nice, I am sold. It came down to the back seat and trunk, grand-ma could not get in the Volt and her walker was a struggle under the hatch, not an issue in the Clarity(thought I do think it would be even better as a hatch like some of the big Audi's). It is also a smoother ride on the freeway. I have heard the brake lights do come on at the 4-chevron setting but only at higher speed. Perhaps it is like the bolt that once deceleration goes past a certain point (like .15g) then the brake lights come on. I need to test this.

 

[PHEV Newbie]

Car and Driver published that the Clarity beat the Volt in real world EV range and blew it out of the water in real world HV gas mileage (46 mpg vs. 37 mpg). In fact, even the thrifty Prius Prime only did a little bit better in HV mileage but had a far lower EV range. That the Clarity is much larger and more luxurious for less money than the Volt makes it the far better buy. The reviewer owns two Volts. Given the standardized testing results of Car and Driver, I would say the reviewer did not put much effort into being more objective.

 

[Odobo]

The only thing about that review, is that he is only comparing the driving experience of both cars but not all the standard features come with the car.

Honda sense is standard on both trim, you won't get ANY of that safety features on the Volt basic trim and you have to pay extra to get ACC on top of the premium trim, and that goes well above 40k.

If I am going for driving experience on these PHEV or any EV at all, I would get a Tesla. Not a Volt.

 

[ryd994]

1. Regen is weak when the battery is almost full. That could be an explain.
I don't see why a hybrid must be driven in a hybrid way. (Isn't such seamless learning curve a feature ?)
Just drive the car and forget about all those fancy "skills". They are distracting.
Give the car some hint if you like, but you don't have to.

2. ECON mode compromises performance, indeed. Has he tried SPORT mode with battery charged? Most dealer haven't learnt to recharge before test drive.

In short, Clarity is best when half full.
Plus, don't judge a middle size family car with compact sport car standards.

When I bought my Clarity, I tried several times back and forth with Accord and Camry.
You see my conclusion at the end.