2009 Honda FCX Clarity
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Honda FCX Clarity - What the Auto Press Says
Honda says its FCX Clarity is the first fuel-cell powered vehicle to be offered to the general public in the United States
Two hundred examples of the FCX have been produced, and offered through three California Honda dealerships. The vehicle is available only via a 36-month lease for $600 per month, and only in the Torrance, Santa Monica and Irvine, California areas - chosen for their proximity to hydrogen refueling stations. Reviewers say the Clarity offers a driving experience similar to that of the Honda Accord, with a beautiful design made possible only by its unique fuel-cell drivetrain.
Drivers who lease one of the first 200 vehicles must also accept range limitations - Honda limits where the vehicle can be driven because of the limited availability of hydrogen fuel and qualified dealer support. Lessees will not have the option to purchase the vehicle after the lease term expires.
Honda says the FCX Clarity could be put into mass-production within a few years if a hydrogen infrastructure were built to make it practical. Reviewers generally say it already feels like a production car, with a driving experience close to that of the midsize Accord.
The FCX uses an electric motor, powered by the energy produced by a hydrogen fuel-cell stack. The fuel cell combines hydrogen, which is stored in a fuel tank much like gasoline, with oxygen from ambient air to generate electricity. This reaction produces only water vapor, making the Clarity a zero-emissions vehicle. It also functions like a hybrid vehicle, capturing energy through regenerative brakes, which is then stored in a lithium-ion battery pack for use by the motor.
The car's design is utterly unique. The fuel cell stack, lithium-ion battery and electric motor are distributed through the center of the chassis, with no need for an engine in front or a transmission down the center of the car. This allows for an expansive passenger cabin and a view of the road not possible in more conventional cars. Many reviewers find the look beautiful.
In fact, reviewers find little to criticize in the Clarity. Those who have something negative to say generally express concerns about hydrogen as a fuel source since it is often still produced from fossil fuels, and is rare and expensive. Few have anything negative to say about Honda's fuel cell car itself.
- "If we sound like converts, we are. Sign us up for the 2009 Honda FCX Clarity. We want one." -- Edmunds
- "Frankly, the Clarity feels like a slightly larger Accord." -- Jalopnik
- "-Behold, the grand and lovely futility of the FCX Clarity. It's hard to scold something so wonderful, so I won't. Just bring me one that I can plug in." -- Los Angeles Times
FCX-Clarity Performance - NA
Test drivers say the FCX Clarity feels much like a Honda Accord on the road. Some say the electric steering gives the car a slightly artificial feel, without much driver feedback. But most are shocked by how normal it feels to drive a car without a conventional engine or transmission. Some say that, without the noise of internal combustion, the ride is eerily quiet. Read More
FCX-Clarity Exterior - NA
The Honda FCX Clarity was designed without the constraints of a traditional car layout. There is no engine, only a much smaller electric motor. There is no fuel tank, only a vertical fuel-cell stack and a lithium-ion battery housed beneath the seats. The result is a car with a teardrop shape that somewhat resembles the Toyota Prius, with a less prominent hood and larger windshield. Reviewers say the shape is beautiful. It is also larger in person than it appears in photographs, according to some. It is available only in a deep garnet red. Read More
FCX-Clarity Interior - NA
Reviewers are overwhelmed by the spaciousness of the Honda FCX Clarity's interior. It is built of materials selected for their low ecological impact, including corn-based fabrics. A unique air conditioning system is built into the seats, rather than the dashboard and frame. Read More
FCX-Clarity Safety - NA
Neither the federal government nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has ever crash tested the Honda FCX Clarity. It comes standard with six airbags, stability control and brake assist, and some unique safety features designed to mitigate any risks caused by its use of hydrogen for fuel. Read More
FCX-Clarity Reliability - NA
Because of the experimental status of the FCX Clarity test fleet, the vehicles are not covered by a conventional warranty. Instead, Honda provides all service, maintenance and repairs through the three Southern California dealers authorized to lease the Clarity, throughout the 3-year lease period. No reliability data is available. Read More