Compare the2021 Honda Clarity Fuel CellVS 2021 Nissan Leaf

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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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 Leaf’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 Leaf 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 Leaf 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, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

Reliability

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 37 points higher than the Leaf.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 8 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

Engine

The Clarity Fuel Cell’s electric motor produces 27 more horsepower (174 vs. 147) than the Leaf’s standard electric motor.

Fuel Economy and Range

The Clarity Fuel Cell’s maximum driving range on a tank of hydrogen is 360 miles (producing zero emissions other than water), 59% further than the Leaf PLUS’ 226-mile range and almost two and a half times further than the Leaf’s 149-mile standard range. After it exhausts its hydrogen, the Mirai can then refuel in a few minutes, while the Leaf has to recharge for 45 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 53 hours and 40 minutes.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Clarity Fuel Cell	Leaf
Front Rotors	12.3 inches	11.1 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	11.5 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Clarity Fuel Cell has larger tires than the Leaf (235/45R18 vs. 205/55R16). The Clarity Fuel Cell’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Leaf (235/45R18 vs. 215/50R17).

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 Leaf S’ standard 55 series tires. The Clarity Fuel Cell’s tires are lower profile than the Leaf SV/SL’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Clarity Fuel Cell has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Leaf S. The Leaf’s largest wheels are only 17-inches.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Nissan Leaf has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

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

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Clarity Fuel Cell is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Leaf.

The Clarity Fuel Cell handles at .81 G’s, while the Leaf pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

Passenger Space

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

The Clarity Fuel Cell has .1 inches more front legroom, 3.9 inches more front hip room, 5.3 inches more front shoulder room, 3.2 inches more rear legroom, 5.6 inches more rear hip room and 4.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Leaf.

Ergonomics

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 Leaf doesn’t offer memory seats.

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 Leaf 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 Leaf’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 Leaf’s passenger windows don’t 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 Leaf 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 Leaf’s power lock and cruise control 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 Leaf’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Clarity Fuel Cell’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan only offers heated mirrors on the Leaf SV/SL.

The Clarity Fuel Cell has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Leaf, and aren’t available on the Leaf S. 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 Leaf.

The Clarity Fuel Cell has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Leaf doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

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 Leaf doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Recommendations

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

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