Why the Honda Clarity PHEV is the best choice right now

I love the Clarity. I even love the spaceship looks. However, I would gladly give up some efficiency for some or all of the below:

Sunroof
Larger gas tank
Larger washer fluid tank
More ground clearance, higher stance
Hatchback
Spare tire
Battery warmer
Rear heated seats
AWD, even mild e-awd like in the awd Prius
 
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Sounds like you’re the target market for the rumored upcoming PHEV Honda Pilot. And since the Pilot and Ridgeline have been based on the same platform, wouldn’t a PHEV Ridgeline be nice as well.

Agree with most of your wish list, excepting the sunroof - never much cared for those.
 
The Gadgeteer said:
I love the Clarity. I even love the spaceship looks. However, I would gladly give up some efficiency for some or all of the below:

Sunroof
Larger gas tank
Larger washer fluid tank
More ground clearance, higher stance
Hatchback
Spare tire
Battery warmer
Rear heated seats
AWD, even mild e-awd like in the awd Prius
Click to expand...
So would you be happy with a 25-mile EV range to make that list happen?
 
Never used a sunroof in the past 30 years of having many cars with them.
On this Clarity - did not miss it at all.
Guess it's too hot and sunny in So Cal to ever enjoy....
 
Sunroof (wouldn't pay a dime for it for me)
Larger gas tank (I haven't seen a need for that yet. I like stopping every 4 hours or so anyway when traveling. Old bones, etc...)
Larger washer fluid tank (I don't think I've used the windshield washer in 6 months. In the south, washing the car every month or so is plenty. I have used the squeegee at the gas station occasionally for bugs on highway trips.)
More ground clearance, higher stance (I'm used to the Volt, which drags on everything. Haven't needed more clearance.)
Hatchback (I like sedans more than hatchbacks. So far I have been able to haul anything I needed to haul.)
Spare tire (I keep a full sized spare in the trunk.)
Battery warmer (don't need it in the south)
Rear heated seats (nobody ever sits there in my car anyway, and again it is the south)
AWD, even mild e-awd like in the awd Prius (again rarely needed in the south, just extra weight and probably a slight hit on mpg)
 
Sunroof (my last two Honda's had sunroofs. Used 3-5 times a year - not needed)
Larger gas tank (mixed emotions on this - stale gas vs long trips)
Larger washer fluid tank (I have a car was 1.5 mile from my house that I pass almost every day, with unlimited washes for $21.99/month)
More ground clearance, higher stance (would increase drag, lowering range)
Hatchback (I would like this)
Spare tire (yes, even a "doughnut" would save some anxiety)
Battery warmer (don't understand as this warming would reduce range, unless it warmed from EVSE)
Rear heated seats (pass)
AWD, even mild e-awd like in the awd Prius (would be nice in adverse weather conditions.)
 
Ah! you folks from the south. Here in the frozen north, I use the windshield washer almost every time I have to take the car out. Had an AWD car once. It was the only car I ever did a 180 in. I prefer winter tires any time.

I do feel a little queezy about not having a spare, but realistically, I am not going to be changing one of those humongous wheels at my age. The last time I needed a spare, it was 16 degrees and having to be stranded saved me from running into an interstate pile up in southern Illinois where they don't know about snowplows or winter tires.

The one thing I would really like would be a hatchback. I never had a sedan before.
 
Regarding gas tank, assuming one would stop atleast once every 4 hours for whatever reason, I too would prefer a gallon or 2 extra. Lets keep 3 bars for reserve and that usually left me with 5.5 gallons which comes to 200-220 miles. At 70 mpg it is 3hrs+15min at the max. An extra gallon or two would have made all the difference. Not a big deal to reject the car but more convenience in my view.

I too think hatchback would be nice. And more washer fluids for our friends in north/east.
 
@MPower - I grew up and lived most of my life along the Ohio River. Drove for months without ever actually driving on pavement -- just packed snow and ice. Recall 10 days straight where the temperature didn't get above 0F. Night time lows were around -20F. I had a variety of winter tires and wheels (Pirelli, Hakkapeliita, etc.) I used to run winter road rallies in northeastern Ohio. Yes, I live in a southern state now, and for the most part I enjoy it; however, I still miss "playing" in the snow. :-) I've had FWD, RWD, and AWD vehicles over the years. AWD is a nice feature to have, even in the south, when experiencing heavy rains. We have a Pilot with AWD.

As I read on here, it seems that several of us are no longer spring chickens! I'll continue to do my own oil changes, and tire rotations for as long as I'm able.
 
insightman said:
So would you be happy with a 25-mile EV range to make that list happen?
Click to expand...
Not me. I think I am in the Clarity sweet spot. My round trip work commute is between 33 to 38 miles depending on the whim of waze. I charge at work for free, so on a cold day with reduced EV mileage I might need the ICE for the last two miles. I’ve gone 5k miles and just put my 15th gallon of gas in the car. It hasn’t been a snowy winter but this car handles better then my accord.
 
I'd love a larger tank - 10gl at least?

How about the panoramic roof? I like those...
And... maybe wrap the ICE in a (smart guys can fill in whatever works here) so that I (and the world) don't hear it when it kicks on - whenever and wherever it chose to do so.
 
Sunroof - shouldn't add too much weight and a reasonable option for a car in this class. I personally make use of the moon roof whenever the sunroof is not open. Being in the northeast any extra vitamin D I can get I will take.
Larger gas tank - most cars I have owned have had a 400+ mile range. Most PHEV and Hybrids have even longer range. I would like the option to be able to have a long range even if I do not use it or fill the tank.
Larger washer fluid tank - a must in the northeast and will not add much weight. I want to be able to pour a whole gallon of washer fluid in one shot.
More ground clearance, higher stance - A must in pothole and poor drainage areas in NJ. Plus allows some soft roading, and for avoiding some hazards/damage.
Hatchback - I need to carry big stuff at times.
Spare tire - I have changed a tire in 12 minutes and I have waited 3 hours for a tow truck. Spare is a nice option.
Battery warmer - I go cold places sometimes and sometimes cold comes to me in NJ.
Rear heated seats - My Optima SX had this. Everyone in the car being able to set their own temperature keeps them happy.
AWD, even mild e-awd like in the awd Prius - I drive in snow in the Pocono mountains. I need this.

Put the Clarity engine and other goodness in an CRV and we will be all set... or perhaps in an HRV.
 
I just want hyper-efficient solar paint and a hyper-efficient small hidden wind turbines so the car self charges as I drive and when parked. Oh and a battery with 10x energy density :)
Besides that, I’m thrilled [emoji16]! The rest is minor.


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
 
Put the Clarity engine and other goodness in an CRV and we will be all set... or perhaps in an HRV.[/QUOTE]


Love that - but I have a different option... put the Clarity goodies in a Subaru Outback and I'm one of those clams!!! lol
I'm by the shore btw.
 
Call me crazy!!!
I traded my 2013 MB S550 for a 2018 Honda Clarity PHEV.
The Clarity is very stable at its top speed 100 mph.
The max speed for cruise control is 90 mph.
Need to add a lot more sound insulation, but the cost is minimal compared to the cost of a new S-class.
Definitely need to upgrade the stereo.
The Clarity is a pleasure to drive.
Definitely a lot less effort to drive than the S-class.
I am loving it. It's also very stable in the snow.
I really love the savings of $13,000 per year in depreciation cost compared to the S-class.
Stop complaining about the little things and appreciate all the good things about the Clarity.
Also, when was the last time you had a flat?
 
Sunroof is actually pretty heavy, estimates are 50 to 80 pounds. They also take away headroom. There's a reason the Honda Insight touring with sunroof has a lower MPG rating than the lower trim models, extra weight from these features.
 
I went from a Porsche Cayenne turbo to the Clarity. I do miss the insane power and heft of everything, however, the Honda is a very good car for the price and will age well ( I hope)
 
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