Compare the2021 Honda Clarity Fuel CellVS 2021 Kia Niro 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 Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The Clarity Fuel Cell has standard HondaLink Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Clarity Fuel Cell and the Niro 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 691 to 750 pounds more than the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Clarity Fuel Cell’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid runs out after 100,000 miles.

There are over 39 percent more Honda dealers than there are Kia 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 Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 10 places higher in reliability than Kia.

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 Niro 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 Niro Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine (68 city/67 hwy MPGe vs. 48 city/44 hwy).

The Clarity Fuel Cell’s maximum driving range on a tank of hydrogen is 360 miles producing zero emissions other than water. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid can only travel about 26 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 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid (7). This means the Clarity Fuel Cell produces up to 11.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid every 15,000 miles.

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

For better traction, the Clarity Fuel Cell has larger tires than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid (235/45R18 vs. 205/60R16).

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 Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s standard 60 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 Niro Plug-In Hybrid.

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

The Clarity Fuel Cell has .5 inches more front legroom, 1.9 inches more front hip room, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, 7.3 inches more rear hip room and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid.

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 Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Clarity Fuel Cell’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s parking brake has to released manually.

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 Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully. Only its driver’s window closes 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 Niro 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 Niro 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 Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Clarity Fuel Cell’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Kia only offers heated mirrors on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid EX/EX Premium.

The Clarity Fuel Cell has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid EX/EX Premium. 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 Niro Plug-In Hybrid.

Both the Clarity Fuel Cell and the Niro 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 Niro 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.