Compare the2021 Honda Clarity Fuel CellVS 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric

The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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 Kona Electric’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the Clarity Fuel Cell and the Kona Electric have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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.

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.

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 maximum driving range on a tank of hydrogen is 360 miles (producing zero emissions other than water), 40% further than the Kona Electric’s 258-mile range. After it exhausts its hydrogen, the Mirai can then refuel in a few minutes, while the Kona Electric has to recharge for 47 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a conventional charging station can take up to 9 hours and 15 minutes.

For better stopping power the Clarity Fuel Cell’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Kona Electric:

The Clarity Fuel Cell stops shorter than the Kona Electric:

For better traction, the Clarity Fuel Cell has larger tires than the Kona Electric (235/45R18 vs. 215/55R17).

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 Kona Electric’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Clarity Fuel Cell has standard 18-inch wheels. Only 17-inch wheels are available on the Kona Electric.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Clarity Fuel Cell’s wheelbase is 5.9 inches longer than on the Kona Electric (108.3 inches vs. 102.4 inches).

The Clarity Fuel Cell handles at .81 G’s, while the Kona Electric Limited pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Clarity Fuel Cell has 9.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kona Electric (102 vs. 92.4).

The Clarity Fuel Cell has .7 inches more front legroom, 2.3 inches more front hip room, 4.1 inches more front shoulder room, 3.3 inches more rear legroom, 3.4 inches more rear hip room and 2.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kona Electric.

When two different drivers share the Clarity Fuel Cell, the memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer memory seats.

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 Kona Electric’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Kona Electric’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 Kona Electric 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 Kona Electric’s passenger power window and 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 Kona Electric’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Clarity Fuel Cell has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Kona Electric. 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 Kona Electric.

The Clarity Fuel Cell’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Clarity Fuel Cell and the Kona Electric 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 Kona Electric doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

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