In our ever-changing world, the advancement of innovation seems to constantly accelerate. The automotive industry is a prime example of this, with each new model year’s vehicles showcasing more and higher-tech amenities than ever before. But amid the automation features, new driver-assist technology, and plusher and more luxurious appointments, it is the advancements in green technology that are perhaps the very most important and impactful in the automotive marketplace. Constantly at the forefront of automotive innovation and in tune with what consumers want, Honda brings refined and high-quality hybrid and alternative vehicles to the road, with its lineup of Clarity vehicles, including the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid, Clarity Electric, and Clarity Fuel Cell.
Honda has dubbed this car the “no compromise hybrid” because it simply refuses to make sacrifices—from power and efficiency to amenities and safety technologies—the 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid does not make any concessions.
The 2020 Accord Hybrid is powered by the third generation of Honda’s innovative two-motor hybrid-electric system, a powertrain that was named to the 2019 Wards 10 Best Engines list thanks in part to its ability to operate without the need for a traditional automatic transmission. Accord’s two-motor hybrid system joins a 2.0-liter DOHC i-VTEC® Atkinson-cycle engine with 40 percent thermal efficiency to an electric propulsion motor that churns out 232 lb-ft of torque for a best-in-class, total system output of 212 horsepower*.
Intelligent engineering is the hallmark of any Honda vehicle and the 2020 Accord Hybrid is proof positive, equipped with technology that promotes both power and efficiency. A 3-mode driving system works in conjunction with the Eco Assist™ System making real-time adjustments to engine performance, the electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT), cruise control, and climate control in order to improve fuel economy. When it’s all said and done, the 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid achieves a sensational, EPA-estimated 48 city/47 highway mpg rating*.
Safety remains a top concern on board the Accord Hybrid as it introduces an updated Acoustic Vehicle Alert System (AVAS) that functions whenever the car is operating on electric power only, enhancing driver awareness for both pedestrians and others occupying the road. Taking driver awareness one step further, every 2020 Accord Hybrid model is standard equipped with the Honda Sensing® suite, an intuitive package of safety and driver-assist features.
At the end of the day, this Honda hybrid carries the legendary, award-winning Accord nameplate, which means drivers receive a midsize hybrid sedan with the same combination of performance, refinement, technology, and value as its non-hybrid sibling.
The 2020 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid lets you have it all. As a plug-in hybrid vehicle, Clarity enjoys both the efficiencies of an electric motor and the flexibility of a gas motor so you can rely on fuel to kick in when you need it. An aerodynamic shape, wide stance, decklid spoiler, and LED light treatment define the look of the Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid, while eco-friendly materials and intuitive technologies outfit its sophisticated, spacious interior.
This ultramodern sedan offers the benefits of an electric car with the freedom of a hybrid. It uses a high-capacity battery for longer all-electric driving and like a traditional hybrid, relies on a gas-powered engine as a backup for when electricity runs low. On electricity alone, the 2020 Clarity Plug-In Hybrid boasts a class-leading* 47-mile all-electric range rating—enough juice for most daily commutes. As a road tripper, electricity and gasoline join forces to yield a 340-mile combined gas and electric range rating* for longer rides. While pure electric vehicles replace the fuel tank with only a battery, the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid combines the best of both worlds.
Convenient charging is just another advantage of the Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid, allowing drivers to avoid the gas pump and charge their battery from nearly anywhere. Using either a 240-volt or 120-volt outlet, you can easily power up your Clarity from home or work, not to mention the thousands of charging stations throughout the United States. The Clarity Plug-In Hybrid also helps you restore power with an HV driving mode that recharges the battery while cruising and regenerative braking that initiates when the accelerator is lifted.
The Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid has a positive impact on the environment, but it can also put more money in your pocket. In addition to less fueling stops, Clarity owners may be eligible for certain financial incentives. Many states offer HOV eligibility and charger rebates*, while Clarity owners in other states may qualify for a tax credit of up to $7,500 through federal tax credit programs*. Couple all of these aforementioned benefits with comfortable seating for five, 15.5 cubic feet of rear cargo area, and next-level tech features like Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, and Honda Sensing®, and you have a hybrid sedan that impresses at every turn.
The 2019 Honda Clarity Electric sedan may only be currently available for lease to drivers in California and Oregon, but it offers a view of what Honda is capable of, as well as their overall vision of vehicles to come.
This all-electric model can be fully charged in just over three hours at 240 volts, and it can reach an 80 percent charge with a DC fast charging system in a mere 30 minutes. The 2019 Clarity Electric has an EPA range of 89 miles on a full charge,* which is more than enough for many drivers to complete their daily commute, and then some. Full electric-only miles-per-gallon of gasoline-equivalent are rated at 126 city, 103 highway, and 114 combined MPGe.*
Not to be mistaken for its Clarity siblings (Plug-In Hybrid and Fuel Cell), the electric model features an unforgettable light signature with LED headlights and LED taillights, a low profile, and an exclusive 18-inch wheel design. However, its cabin offers the same characteristics found on board the other Clarity models when it comes to comfort, safety, interior space, and entertainment tech. This means features like the Honda Sensing® suite, Display Audio with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ integration, dual-zone automatic climate control, and heated leather seats all come standard equipped.
The advancements in the 2020 Clarity Fuel Cell are the result of 20 years of Honda research and development. A fuel cell vehicle (FCV), such as the Clarity Fuel Cell, is a long-range all-electric vehicle that uses a fuel cell stack to create electricity on demand. This process combines hydrogen and oxygen inside its fuel cell and emits only water vapor.
While a fuel cell vehicle has much of the same basic driving functionality as a gasoline-powered vehicle, there are several things that set the Clarity Fuel Cell apart. Honda has taken its rich history in motorsports and combined it with fuel cell technology to bring you a vehicle that is fun to drive. The Clarity Fuel Cell has excellent performance and handling thanks to its high-torque electric motor, weight distribution and multi-link rear suspension. Rolling on 18-inch aerodynamic alloy wheels with exclusive low-rolling-resistant sport performance tires, the electric motor generates rapid acceleration the moment you press the accelerator. This on-demand power provides smooth takeoffs and an overall quieter drive. For more responsive acceleration, switch to Sport Mode with the touch of a button.
Although it’s an electric vehicle, there is never a need to “charge” the car with a plug. Instead, it can be simply refueled in 3 to 5 minutes at a hydrogen station. Since the Clarity has a 360-mile range rating*, the time between fill-ups is similar to what you would experience in a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle—except the Clarity produces zero emissions.
One of the biggest engineering breakthroughs of the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell that’s unique among sedans is that the entire fuel cell powertrain fits under its hood. This frees up valuable cabin space for a spacious interior that fits five passengers, whereas some other fuel cell sedans can only fit four. There’s also 11.8 cubic feet of ample cargo space, due to the thoughtful placement of the hydrogen tanks. The 2020 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell is zero emissions with zero compromise, proving that an environmentally conscious vehicle doesn’t have to sacrifice comfort, performance, or ride quality.
The Honda Insight has always been a trailblazer within the hybrid segment. In fact, Insight was the first, available hybrid car on North American roadways. Consumers have seen four generations of the Honda Insight since 1999 with the first iteration coming in the form of a manual transmission, 2-door liftback. While this hybrid has experienced many changes over the past couple of decades, its core tenants of efficient performance, affordability, and innovative design have made Insight one of America’s top-selling compact hybrid cars.
So how does Insight achieve 151 total system horsepower and 197 lb-ft of torque without sacrificing its superior fuel economy? Take a look under the hood of the 2021 Honda Insight:
Additional technology like the Eco Assist™ System, Deceleration Selectors, and a 3-Mode Driving System will not only help you maximize efficiency, but will also help you monitor your Insight’s performance.
As beautiful as it is efficient, the 2021 Honda Insight was built with aerodynamics in mind. The grille and engine designs reduce wind loss as well as a front bumper that limits wake. Insight’s flat floor design concept streamlines airflow underneath the vehicle and strakes minimize wake. The Insight’s trunk surface was designed to optimize aerodynamic performance, while the light treatment actually prevents airflow from entering the rear of the car.
Premium looks at an attractive price—and it just happens to be a hybrid—the 2021 Honda Insight blends refined power, styling, and performance for a driving experience you’ll have to see to believe. From its aerodynamic approach to its pioneering powertrain, Honda’s reputation for intelligent engineering remains unblemished for Insight’s 2021 model year.
Honda has a reputation for developing some of the most efficient vehicles of the past 40 years, so of course they were one of the first automakers to develop a hybrid hatchback and bring it to the drivers of Illinois in 1999.
Most drivers have accepted the reality that fuel prices are likely never going to drop back down to what they were even a few years ago, and that means many people are shopping around for hybrids. The Honda hybrid car lineup is one of the most interesting and diverse in Illinois, giving drivers like you access to fuel-efficient powertrains in a wide variety of vehicles—even a sports car.