New 2026 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Redesign, Pictures, Price – Anyone who has a child interested in dinosaurs knows that those beasts were highly adapted for their environment – right before they went extinct. So it is in the automotive world, where the midsize family sedan has never been better, just in time for it to be outcompeted by crossovers. At one point, an Clarity Fuel Cell would have been a common sight on Canadian highways, outnumbered only by the Civic in terms of Honda-badged vehicles. Now though, Honda sells nearly 10 times as many CR-Vs as Clarity Fuel Cells.
With next year’s update, Honda will reportedly make the hybrid version of the Clarity Fuel Cell its top trim both in terms of performance and luxury. Its engineers will have their work cut out for them in terms of improving the car, because even if it isn’t the mainstay it used to be, as a sedan, the 2026 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell is very nearly perfect.
New 2026 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior and Interior
That ride height is part of the reason crossovers have pushed family sedans like the Clarity Fuel Cell to the margins, but it’s also a case of consumer convenience. While a four-door car with a big trunk should be among the most practical solutions around, it’s often the edge-case flexibility to perhaps chuck a chair from Ikea in the back that tips the scales in favour of crossovers and the like. New 2026 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Redesign
However, Ikea delivers, and the Clarity Fuel Cell’s back seat qualifies as cavernous. Packaging the batteries under the back seats allowed Honda’s engineers to give this version of the Clarity Fuel Cell the same cargo-hauling ability as the non-hybrid. If you’re transporting taller kids or adults, it’s a comfortable and useful machine.
New 2026 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Specs
With no larger offering in the lineup, as Toyota has with the Avalon, Touring trims of the Clarity Fuel Cell are effectively Honda’s flagship sedans. Everything you expect is here, including power adjustments for both front seats (memory for the driver’s side), which are also both heated and cooled. The outboard rear seats are heated as well. There’s also a head-up display, built-in navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connections, and wireless phone charging (standard in all Clarity Fuel Cells).
A 10-speaker stereo is also standard on all Clarity Fuel Cell trims, but it won’t be particularly special to audiophiles. A 360-degree parking assist would also be a nice feature to have here. New 2026 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Redesign
Engine and Performance
The near-instant shove of the electric motor’s 232 lb-ft of torque provides great off-the-line acceleration. Full throttle application also gets the four-cylinder zinging up into the rev range in proper Honda fashion. On paper, the 2.0L turbocharged version of the Clarity Fuel Cell is quicker, but in terms of real world performance the Hybrid is just as satisfying – maybe even more so. New 2026 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Redesign
More impressive is how well-integrated the hybrid system is. Honda’s past hybridization efforts have been a little less polished in operation than Toyota’s, but the Clarity Fuel Cell is entirely convincing. It’s as smooth as the ride is.
New 2026 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Fuel Economy
With a mixed rating that’s a little under 2.0 L/100 km better than the gas-only Clarity Fuel Cell, this hybrid really makes a case for itself. Even if the driving experience wasn’t quite as good as the standard car – and it is – cutting your fuel bill by nearly a third represents a considerable savings.
In real-world use, which skewed a little more to city driving, the Clarity Fuel Cell hit its target. Noteworthy, though, is that the Touring trim is a little less efficient than the base Clarity Fuel Cell thanks to the wheel and tire package.
New 2026 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Safety Features
Besides scoring well in United States Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash-testing, all Clarity Fuel Cells come with driver assists like lane-keeping assist and blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert. The Touring trim also has an automated braking system when reversing or driving forward: it can detect obstacles and apply the brakes to avoid or mitigate a collision, though only at low speeds while in reverse.
If anything, Honda’s driver systems are a little over-protective, flashing the “Brake!” alarm if you’re approaching a stopped car even a little too quickly. Further, expect the next generation of Clarity Fuel Cell to have a lane-keeping system that wanders between the lines a little less than this one.
New 2026 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Price and Release Date
Packaged as it is with basically all the features you’d expect in an entry-level luxury sedan, the Clarity Fuel Cell represents strong value for your dollar. The high-quality cabin, handsome looks, and smooth driving characteristics make it feel like a smarter purchase than looking at what Acura or Infiniti offer in this size. New 2026 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Redesign
Further, when compared to a conventional Clarity Fuel Cell, the hybrid upcharge is only around 10 per cent more expensive. Given how fuel economy is improved without ruining the Clarity Fuel Cell’s traditionally nimble driving characteristics, the extra money up front seems worth it. Fuel isn’t likely to get less expensive any time soon.