2026 Honda Clarity Electric Specs, Review, MPG – One of the biggest EVs available is the all-electric Clarity series vehicle, but it also has one of the lowest cruising ranges. The awkward middle child of the Clarity trio of electric vehicles is the 2026 Honda Clarity Electric. The company’s huge, completely electric car is positioned halfway between hydrogen fuel cells and plug-in hybrids.
The 89 EPA-estimated driving range makes it something of a sell when compared to other similar electric vehicles on the market, as well as to its own hybrid and hydrogen brothers.
However, there is some attraction to the electric Honda, and its widespread appeal and popularity speak volumes about Honda’s clean mobility idea. 2026 Honda Clarity Electric Specs
2026 Honda Clarity Electric Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior & Interior
Clarity Electric has recently been the target of some very critical individuals. It must be a positive thing. You know, there’s a lot. I began by pointing out that the Clarity Electric is constructed using the same body and chassis as the Clarity Fuel Cell that we previously examined.
Both vehicles are roomy sedans with enough for up to five people. Its quiet motor and well-maintained suspension make for a pleasant and comfortable ride. The Clarity and her older sister, the hydrogen-powered Clarity, have similar aerodynamics and designs.
The Electric has great visibility everywhere, but particularly in the back, thanks to a unique slit window that lets the driver see past the trunk and rear parcel shelf as well as into the rearview mirror. Even though it looks silly, it improves rear sight a lot.
It’s interesting to note that the Clarity Electric has somewhat more trunk room than the Fuel Cell version, even though the lithium-ion battery pack is smaller than previous Clarity hydrogen tanks. The EV even has a small pass-through into the trunk to fit longer goods when the back seats are folded flat.
Another “positive” is that Clarity Fuel Cell technology is the same as the dashboard. The HondaLink infotainment system is the first of many wonderful onboard features. Along with a reliable navigation system, it provides a range of digital media sources. To cover any gaps with additional navigation alternatives and audio streaming applications, basic compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto has been enabled.
The Honda Sensing suite of driving aids is also included as standard. It has adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking assistance, lane-keeping assistance, a reversing camera, and Honda’s LaneWatch blind-spot camera. The LaneWatch camera is a good place to start for safety measures, but a real blind-spot monitoring system would have been better.
Fortunately, there aren’t any other choices. All of the Clarity models come “fully loaded,” and the owner’s sole option is the color of the vehicle. There will be fierce competition when Clarity Electric opens its showroom in August 2026. At a time when many EV purchasers consider 100 miles to be the absolute minimum range, it is making its debut as an 89-mile EV.
The Chevy Bolt has been driven more than 200 miles. The Ioniq Electric from Hyundai performs better than the 120. It’s possible that the Nissan Leaf, which hasn’t altered much since its 2010 launch, can go over 100 miles! The future of this first-generation Clarity Electric does not appear bright at this time. 2026 Honda Clarity Electric Specs
2026 Honda Clarity Electric Specs
Engine & Performance
The 2026 Honda Clarity Electric boasts a strong electric drivetrain, as the name suggests. In particular, it is driven by an electric motor that generates 221 pound-feet of torque and 120 kilowatts, or around 161 horsepower. Even while it supposedly has a bit less power than a four-cylinder Accord, it has a lot more torque. It should function almost exactly like the Clarity Fuel Cell around town and feel about as responsive off the line.
There is a lot of vacant space beneath the Clarity Electric hood in addition to the electric power plant. The engine compartment of the Clarity series can support massive hydrogen fuel cell and hybrid powertrains since it was built to be modular. (In fact, if Honda chooses to go that path, there is more than enough space for a V-6 engine.)
However, because electric motors have fewer moving parts, no auxiliary systems, and no transmission, they appear much smaller. Because of this, the Clarity’s e-motor seems little in the center of the roomy engine compartment. The aerodynamic shield that runs the length of the sedan’s undercarriage is clearly visible.
But when comparing electric cars, range is crucial, as was already established. The Clarity’s main rivals will be more contemporary models such as the Hyundai Ioniq Electric, which has a range of 124 miles, and the Nissan Leaf, which is expected to have a range of 140 miles. More significantly, the Clarity Electric must work with almost all Tesla Motors vehicles, including the 238-mile-range Bolt EV. It’s a bit of a tough sell, as I mentioned.
2026 Honda Clarity Electric Fuel Economy
According to the EPA, the battery-powered Clarity’s combined cycle fuel efficiency is around 114 mpg. That estimate rises to a maximum of 126 mpg in the metropolis. That is less than Hyundai’s Ioniq Electric, which can get up to 150 mpg in the city, but almost equal to the Chevrolet Bolt’s 128 mpg city projection. However, range is more important than price for electric cars. Later, we’ll return to that.
The 25.5 kWh battery pack in the back of the car powers the Clarity Electric. According to EPA and Honda estimations, it should provide enough energy to cruise up to 89 miles on a full charge. The trip computer predicts a little over 100 miles, so you might get more with a little touch, but probably not much. In my little time behind the wheel, I traveled 94 strategically planned kilometers.
Despite having a 27 kWh battery and a 90-mile range, the Clarity Electric appears to be a better option than the Kia Soul EV. The Fit EV’s 20 kWh battery pack and 82-mile range should make it less efficient than Honda’s upcoming electric car. Perhaps the Honda’s larger-than-normal size helps explain its short stated range, but to be fair, the Clarity Electric will be compared to most cars that are far smaller.
2026 Honda Clarity Electric Release Date & Price
To be honest, the Clarity EV is far larger than any of the other cars on the list. Currently, the only EVs that can rival the Honda in terms of size are the Tesla Model S and Model X, which are more costly than the Honda but also have a longer range than the Clarity. Or are they?
Dealers were offering the 2026 Honda Clarity Electric for a comparatively low lease price of $269 per month for 36 months prior to the implementation of California’s $2,500 state Clean Vehicle Rebate. There is currently no defined pricing for buying a Clarity Electric; you can only lease one. But that complicates price comparison and validates a long-held view of mine. 2026 Honda Clarity Electric Specs
Conclusion
The 2026 Honda Clarity Electric is a generation or two ahead of the rest of the EV market, making it appear to be “first-gen.” The “electric car” component of the equation essentially seems like a beta test of the manufacturer’s battery technology because the car’s comfort, interior, and construction all satisfy Honda’s standards for a production vehicle.
Clarity Electric will probably teach Honda a lot about EV production and marketing, and Honda will produce a far superior vehicle a generation later. The Clarity Electric now seems to be a means for Honda to test the market for electric vehicles and a chance for customers to do the same because of its reasonably priced lease.
Note: The details included in this blog post are derived from pre-release material that was accessible when the article was written. If you want the latest information, you should check official sources or call your nearest dealership.
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