Compare the2021 Honda Clarity Fuel CellVS 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Clarity Fuel Cell deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Clarity Fuel Cell’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the Clarity Fuel Cell and the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell weighs 816 pounds more than the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

There are over 27 percent more Honda dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Clarity Fuel Cell’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Clarity Fuel Cell’s reliability 34 points higher than the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 1 place higher in reliability than Hyundai.

The Clarity Fuel Cell’s electric motor produces 35 more horsepower (174 vs. 139) and 26 lbs.-ft. more torque (221 vs. 195) than the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Clarity Fuel Cell gets better fuel mileage than the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine (68 city/67 hwy MPGe vs. 52 city/51 hwy).

The Clarity Fuel Cell’s maximum driving range on a tank of hydrogen is 360 miles producing zero emissions other than water. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid can only travel about 29 miles before it has to start its internal combustion engine.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell higher (10 out of 10) than the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid (7). This means the Clarity Fuel Cell produces up to 11.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Clarity Fuel Cell’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid:

For better traction, the Clarity Fuel Cell has larger tires than the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid (235/45R18 vs. 205/55R16).

The Clarity Fuel Cell’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Clarity Fuel Cell has standard 18-inch wheels. Only 16-inch wheels are available on the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Clarity Fuel Cell’s wheelbase is 2 inches longer than on the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid (108.3 inches vs. 106.3 inches).

The Clarity Fuel Cell has 5.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid (102 vs. 96.2).

The Clarity Fuel Cell has 1.8 inches more front hip room, 3.5 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear legroom, 2.7 inches more rear hip room and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid.

The Clarity Fuel Cell has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Clarity Fuel Cell has a standard heads-up display that projects speed readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Clarity Fuel Cell’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s optional power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Clarity Fuel Cell the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Clarity Fuel Cell’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Clarity Fuel Cell’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Both the Clarity Fuel Cell and the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid have standard heated front seats. The Clarity Fuel Cell also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid.

Both the Clarity Fuel Cell and the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Clarity Fuel Cell has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, based on reliability, safety and performance.