Consumer Reports on 2018 clarity= not good
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
Joined
·
32 Posts
I don't but it might help if you list their concerns. I have yet to see anyone review the car or feedback from those who own it that did rave over it.
Joined
·
134 Posts
I've been getting the magazine for probably near 20 years. It's great reading in the 'reading room' and normally they're spot on. But they're human as well as us and in many cases of new things to test like our Clarity Honda, personal bias may seep in just a bit. For the record, even after driving mine since last May and getting used to the buttons, they're a fad IMHO. I can live with them but would rather have the shift handle. I guess my bias on that agrees with them but doesn't make it a 'deal breaker'. If I were to wager a bet, I'd bet that within a year there will be a full review including a crash test. As the Volt's disappear off the lots we'll have the 'top dog' PHEV. But almost every manufacturer is coming out with their models in PHEV very soon.
When Honda builds one in it's SUV's I'll be trading again.
When Honda builds one in it's SUV's I'll be trading again.
Does anyone get the magazine? Horrible reviews and grades on it. I hope they are wrong.
Joined
·
722 Posts
^^^ so true!
No need for CR - they are bunch of lies anyway - paid by some competitor....
Consumer Reports Highs & Lows for the Clarity
The summary I read said it had a nice ride but clumsy handling, quiet on EV but when the engine kicked on it was very nosy and they did not like the push button controls.
HIGHS: Acts as an EV for short distances, ride comfort, interior room
LOWS: Clumsy handling, front-seat comfort, confusing controls, noisy engine
I always liked the reviews by CR but think they have this one wrong. If the engine seems noisy (ours does not) it is because most of the doing is so quiet! It took me about a day to get used to the lack of a shift lever and now I love the buttons!
I think the car handles very nicely and simply love it after putting on 1,200 miles on 6 gals of gas.
The summary I read said it had a nice ride but clumsy handling, quiet on EV but when the engine kicked on it was very nosy and they did not like the push button controls.
HIGHS: Acts as an EV for short distances, ride comfort, interior room
LOWS: Clumsy handling, front-seat comfort, confusing controls, noisy engine
I always liked the reviews by CR but think they have this one wrong. If the engine seems noisy (ours does not) it is because most of the doing is so quiet! It took me about a day to get used to the lack of a shift lever and now I love the buttons!
I think the car handles very nicely and simply love it after putting on 1,200 miles on 6 gals of gas.
Thanks Trengle. I just grabbed the magazine and was about to update.
LOWS: Clumsy handling, front-seat comfort, confusing controls, noisy engine
Handling seems fine for me. It isn't a sports car. I love the LKAS on the thruway. I can drive without hands for miles and miles (not recommended). The front seat is fine to me too. I do notice after reading the reveiw that it may be shorter than many other cars. I'm short anyway so it doesn't bother me. I have also seen reviews with 6 foot guys having no issues. Controls are confsuing at first but with everything else new it takes some getting use to. The engine is a bit noisier than other ice engines I have noticed. I am mostly on EV anyway. I have 1200 miles on mine and haven't filled up yet. Have little less than 1/4 tank.
I do think the rear camera sucks because you always have to clean it after a car wash or rain. Not a huge deal. The camera on the screen for turning right is weird too and the driver side doesn't have an indicator to help with cars next to you. They can improve on that. Other than that I love the car.
LOWS: Clumsy handling, front-seat comfort, confusing controls, noisy engine
Handling seems fine for me. It isn't a sports car. I love the LKAS on the thruway. I can drive without hands for miles and miles (not recommended).
The front seat is fine to me too. I do notice after reading the reveiw that it may be shorter than many other cars. I'm short anyway so it doesn't bother me. I have also seen reviews with 6 foot guys having no issues. Controls are confsuing at first but with everything else new it takes some getting use to. The engine is a bit noisier than other ice engines I have noticed. I am mostly on EV anyway. I have 1200 miles on mine and haven't filled up yet. Have little less than 1/4 tank. I do think the rear camera sucks because you always have to clean it after a car wash or rain. Not a huge deal. The camera on the screen for turning right is weird too and the driver side doesn't have an indicator to help with cars next to you. They can improve on that. Other than that I love the car.
I too disagree with some of CRs LOWS on this car. The engine doesn't seem noisy to me at all. My guess is that their tester didn't take time to figure out the driving modes. I think if you let the battery run out and then use the engine only, it does get very noisy. But why would I ever do that??? The handling seems fine for a fairly large sedan. I wasn't expecting it to feel or handle like a sports car.
I do agree it could have a better seat. My 2013 Elantra has a way better seat. The seating part is longer, and you can adjust the front of the seat higher or lower to change your leg angle, and it has lumbar support. The controls are workable. They are confusing at first, but you get used to them fairly quickly.
I do agree it could have a better seat. My 2013 Elantra has a way better seat. The seating part is longer, and you can adjust the front of the seat higher or lower to change your leg angle, and it has lumbar support. The controls are workable. They are confusing at first, but you get used to them fairly quickly.
Sadly most people take publications like this to heart, which they shouldn't. What I learned with past vehicles is what publications tell you, is just half of the story, the rest comes with living with the vehicle.
Only exceptions are publications that do long term test drives.
Only exceptions are publications that do long term test drives.
Joined
·
6 Posts
CR
No vehicle is perfectly designed but I'm very pleased with the Clarity overall. Further, with GM dropping out of the PHEV market, it's the only game around in the 40+ mile EV range (other than pure electrics, of course).
Some of the criticisms listed in the other discussions are valid, but not deal breakers in my mind. Also, I find the door handle difficult to reach from the driver's seat, and cupholder location seems awkward.
I appreciate having a vehicle I can drive on pure electric 80+% of the time but don't have to have separate vehicle when I want to go on a trip longer than the range of a pure electric.
No vehicle is perfectly designed but I'm very pleased with the Clarity overall. Further, with GM dropping out of the PHEV market, it's the only game around in the 40+ mile EV range (other than pure electrics, of course).
Some of the criticisms listed in the other discussions are valid, but not deal breakers in my mind. Also, I find the door handle difficult to reach from the driver's seat, and cupholder location seems awkward.
I appreciate having a vehicle I can drive on pure electric 80+% of the time but don't have to have separate vehicle when I want to go on a trip longer than the range of a pure electric.
Are you familiar with the Dutch Reach campaign to have drivers always open their car door with their inside hand ( right hand assuming the driver is on the left)? In this way they may spot a cyclist (bicycle or motorcycle) that may be coming up on the side before opening the car door, and thereby save a life.
CR is independent
The CR automotive editors have a VLOG posted on YouTube. I don't have issues with what they disliked about the Clarity PHEV - but I don't agree with them. As to the reliability issues - they did poll CR members who own/lease and drive the car: It seems that many of those people had early-release models that were plagued by software and hardware issues.
If you read the CR reviews for all the Honda and Accura models that have push-button controls you'll see that that they don't like them in any car: The issue is that some are pushed while others are pulled. They also don't like the controller used in the Prius or the strange one used in the Bolt: They think it's an unnecessary learning curve.
That's not true: CR is totally independent and always has been - not even a HINT of scandal. They purchase every item they review - and they do it anonymously - so there's no contact with the manufacturers.
The CR automotive editors have a VLOG posted on YouTube. I don't have issues with what they disliked about the Clarity PHEV - but I don't agree with them. As to the reliability issues - they did poll CR members who own/lease and drive the car: It seems that many of those people had early-release models that were plagued by software and hardware issues.
If you read the CR reviews for all the Honda and Accura models that have push-button controls you'll see that that they don't like them in any car: The issue is that some are pushed while others are pulled. They also don't like the controller used in the Prius or the strange one used in the Bolt: They think it's an unnecessary learning curve.
I read the article and was disappointed in the rating for the Clarity. I LOVE this car and disagreed with much of the article's analysis but did agree the engine can get noisy. I haven't quite discovered what causes the motor to reeve up at times when I have it in HV mode. It seems to come and go regardless of speed. I keep my Clarity in EV mode unless I'm on the highway, then I switch it to HV. My only comments regarding improvement: Move the cupholders forward a bit (interferes with opening the console box) give us an optional sunroof... would love an audio BSM along with left turn camera (seems odd they didn't do it on both sides). I think for the money, and the EV distance, I find this car beautiful and comfortable both inside and out. The fact I don't have to put gas in it except for every 2 or 3 months is fantastic.
Joined
·
13 Posts
Predicted Reliability
Disclaimer: I have driven the Clarity, but do not own one.
I have been a fan of consumer reports for along time. I bought my last three cars haven read the Consumer Reports ratings. I often believe that they correct with their test track numbers.
The reliability numbers often come from subscribers which changes year-over-year as the car ages.
Consumer Reports did not like the infotainment system without knobs. Infotainment systems can be distracting to the driver. There is some truth to it, I have the a similar infotainment system in my 2017 Honda Accord but I have found ways to adjust to how the system works and I no longer see it as problem on my daily drives.
Consumer Reports does not like the new gearshift selector. I prefer a traditional selector but I also understand why it has to go. I will miss the traditional parking brake too.
Consumer Reports also does not like Honda’s ECVT approach. On the Clarity as well as the Accord Hybrid the engine noise can be annoying. It took some time for me to adjust to this noise on the Accord Hybrid and find the throttle positions that would not wake up the demon. This is less of a problem on the Clarity due to its bigger battery and accelerator pedal detent but it still is a problem if you demand full power. It’s fortunate that we don’t need full power in daily driving.
From the little time I spent driving the Clarity, I could not push the car enough with a sales person in the car. Perhaps others can comment on handing characteristics. Predicted reliability is the lowest I have seen them give to a Honda — I suspect this is due to it being a newer model in the line up and Honda has had some problems with some of their clean sheet redesigns. The actual trouble areas were graded above average. I expect this number will improve year-over-year.
Finally, Consumer Reports is just one opinion, if you are happy with your car, it’s serving you well, and you are not selling it, then it’s less cause for concern.
Disclaimer: I have driven the Clarity, but do not own one.
I have been a fan of consumer reports for along time. I bought my last three cars haven read the Consumer Reports ratings. I often believe that they correct with their test track numbers.
The reliability numbers often come from subscribers which changes year-over-year as the car ages.
Consumer Reports did not like the infotainment system without knobs. Infotainment systems can be distracting to the driver. There is some truth to it, I have the a similar infotainment system in my 2017 Honda Accord but I have found ways to adjust to how the system works and I no longer see it as problem on my daily drives.
Consumer Reports does not like the new gearshift selector. I prefer a traditional selector but I also understand why it has to go. I will miss the traditional parking brake too.
Consumer Reports also does not like Honda’s ECVT approach. On the Clarity as well as the Accord Hybrid the engine noise can be annoying. It took some time for me to adjust to this noise on the Accord Hybrid and find the throttle positions that would not wake up the demon. This is less of a problem on the Clarity due to its bigger battery and accelerator pedal detent but it still is a problem if you demand full power. It’s fortunate that we don’t need full power in daily driving.
From the little time I spent driving the Clarity, I could not push the car enough with a sales person in the car. Perhaps others can comment on handing characteristics. Predicted reliability is the lowest I have seen them give to a Honda — I suspect this is due to it being a newer model in the line up and Honda has had some problems with some of their clean sheet redesigns. The actual trouble areas were graded above average. I expect this number will improve year-over-year.
Finally, Consumer Reports is just one opinion, if you are happy with your car, it’s serving you well, and you are not selling it, then it’s less cause for concern.
I rate the Calirty as "nice try for the first generation". As an electric around town car it is great (B). As a hybrid going down the road it is ok (C+), as an in town on ICE (D), noisy and way below pay grade. Fortunately, my son, who mostly is in town, loves the car and he has become the principal driver.
Motorweek begs to differ from CR
https://hondanews.com/releases/hond...rs-choice-award-for-best-eco-friendly-vehicle
https://hondanews.com/releases/hond...rs-choice-award-for-best-eco-friendly-vehicle
No issues with ours so far. 5k miles and put in 17 gallons of gas. Haven't changed oil yet.
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
