Compare the2021 Honda Clarity Fuel CellVS 2021 Tesla Model 3

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 Model 3’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 Model 3 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 Model 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 Clarity Fuel Cell’s corrosion warranty is 1 year and unlimited miles longer than the Model 3’s (5/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

There are almost 8 times as many Honda dealers as there are Tesla dealers, which makes it much 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 46 points higher than the Model 3.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda 19th in initial quality. With 73 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 34th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda 27th in reliability. With 31 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 30th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 20 places higher in reliability than Tesla.

The Clarity Fuel Cell’s maximum driving range on a tank of hydrogen is 360 miles (producing zero emissions other than water), 7 miles further than the Model 3 Long Range’s 353-mile range and 37% further than the Model 3 Standard Plus’ 263-mile range. After it exhausts its hydrogen, the Mirai can then refuel in a few minutes, while the Model 3 has to recharge for 8 hours and 30 minutes for only a % charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas.

The Clarity Fuel Cell has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Clarity Fuel Cell flat and controlled during cornering. The Model 3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Clarity Fuel Cell has 5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Model 3 (102 vs. 97).

The Clarity Fuel Cell has 2.2 inches more front hip room, 3.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear legroom, 3.2 inches more rear hip room and 3.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Model 3.

A Smart Maintenance is standard on the Clarity Fuel Cell to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for air filter replacement, tire rotation and transmission fluid replacement based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Tesla doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Model 3.

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 Model 3 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Clarity Fuel Cell’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model 3 doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Clarity Fuel Cell has standard extendable sun visors. The Model 3 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Clarity Fuel Cell’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Model 3’s power mirror controls are embedded in the infotainment system, seriously distracting drivers who have to adjust them while driving.