“Love driving the car, the high mpg, mostly the EV range. Has a slightly to low front end clearance. The battery life has deteriorated from what I'd hoped for, for a 4-year-old car. Still, it gets better EV range than other similar plug-in hybrids.”
2018 Honda Clarity: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The big change for 2018 is the arrival of the all-new Clarity Plug-In Hybrid, which expands the Clarity into a three-powertrain family. The Electric and Fuel Cell versions carry over without major equipment changes.
About the 2018 Honda Clarity
1st-generation Clarity sedan family; 2018 is year two for the Electric and Fuel Cell versions and year one for the Plug-In Hybrid addition.
Honda positions the Clarity as an electrified sedan that does not ask drivers to give up midsize-car comfort. Across its three powertrains, the pitch is the same: a roomy five-passenger cabin, quiet road manners, upscale interior design, and familiar Honda safety and touchscreen tech. The Plug-In Hybrid is the mainstream version for everyday commuting with gasoline backup, while the Electric and Fuel Cell serve drivers who want zero tailpipe emissions.
The 2018 Clarity is a roomy five-passenger sedan offered as a plug-in hybrid, battery-electric vehicle, or hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle. Base models have an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats, and Honda’s safety suite. The Plug-In Hybrid Touring adds leather seating, power front seats, and built-in navigation.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
A new 212-hp Clarity Plug-In Hybrid joins the Electric and Fuel Cell versions. It has an EPA-rated 47 miles of electric range before operating as a hybrid.
Tech
A new Plug-In Hybrid Touring trim adds built-in navigation with traffic information, an 8-way power driver’s seat with memory, and a 4-way power front passenger seat.
Styling
The new Plug-In Hybrid Touring trim adds leather-trimmed seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel for a more upscale cabin.
2018 Honda Clarity specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Hybrid, 1.5 Liter / Hydrogen Fuel Cell Stack w/Electric Motor / Electric Motor | 4-Cyl, Hybrid, 1.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, eCVT / Single-Speed Fixed Gear | Automatic, eCVT |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Plug-In Hybrid / Hydrogen / Electric | Plug-In Hybrid |
| MPG City | 44 mpg | 44 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 40 mpg | 40 mpg |
| Horsepower | 161–174 hp | |
| Torque | 99–221 lb-ft | 99 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 11.8–15.5 cu-ft | 15.5 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 36.2 in | 36.2 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Electric Range | 114 (Electric); 366 (Hydrogen); 48 (Plug-In Hybrid) | 48 |
| MPGe Combined | 114 (Electric); 68 (Hydrogen); 110 (Plug-In Hybrid) | 110 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||
| Alarm System | ||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | ||
| Automatic Headlights | ||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | ||
| Rear Parking Sensors | ||
| Rear View Camera | ||
| Side View Cameras | ||
| Top View Camera | ||
| Alloy Wheels | ||
| LED Headlights | ||
| Power Liftgate/Trunk Release | ||
| Rear Spoiler | ||
| Remote Control Liftgate/Trunk Release | ||
| Navigation System | ||
| Premium Audio | ||
| Satellite Radio | ||
| Smartphone Interface | ||
| Subwoofer | ||
| Touch Screen Monitor | ||
| Dual Power Front Seats | ||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||
| Folding Rear Seat | ||
| Rear Air Conditioning | ||
| Heated Front Seats | ||
| Leather Seats | ||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||
| Memory Driver's Seat | ||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2018 Honda Clarity?
The biggest change is the addition of the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid. It expands the lineup to three powertrain types: plug-in hybrid, battery-electric, and hydrogen fuel cell.
Is every 2018 Honda Clarity a plug-in hybrid?
No. The 2018 Clarity lineup includes Plug-In Hybrid, Electric, and Fuel Cell versions. The plug-in hybrid is the new addition for this model year.
How far can the 2018 Clarity Plug-In Hybrid drive on electricity?
The 2018 Clarity Plug-In Hybrid has an EPA-rated electric range of 47 miles. After that, its gasoline engine and electric motor let it continue operating as a hybrid.
What does the 2018 Clarity Plug-In Hybrid Touring add over the base trim?
The Touring adds leather-trimmed seats, an 8-way power driver’s seat with memory, a 4-way power passenger seat, built-in navigation, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an automatic-dimming rearview mirror.
Did the 2018 Clarity Electric and Fuel Cell receive major updates?
No. The Electric and Fuel Cell versions did not receive meaningful equipment updates for 2018; the new Plug-In Hybrid is the year’s main story.
2018 Honda Clarity Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2018 Honda Clarity.
4.3
2018 Honda Clarity
(655 reviews)
“Excellent hybrid vehicle. Mileage is great, even running entirely on gasoline. All-electric mileage is at the top of its class for hybrid vehicles. Interior space is also extremely good for a hybrid.”
“If you're a lover of technology, the Honda Clarity has it all. A sleek, futuristic interior, and a modern tech packed interior combine to make an extremely pleasant and forward thinking package. The icing on the cake is the electric range which pushes your MPG up into the 90's. An overall fantastic vehicle that will make you happy for years.”