Compare the2021 Honda Clarity Fuel CellVS 2020 Ford Fusion 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 Fusion Plug-In Hybrid’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the Clarity Fuel Cell and the Fusion 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.

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 40 points higher than the Fusion Plug-In Hybrid.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 17 places higher in reliability than Ford.

As tested in Car and Driver the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell is faster than the Ford Fusion Plug-In Hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the Clarity Fuel Cell gets better fuel mileage than the Fusion Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine (68 city/67 hwy MPGe vs. 43 city/40 hwy).

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

For better traction, the Clarity Fuel Cell has larger tires than the Fusion Plug-In Hybrid (235/45R18 vs. 225/50R17).

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 Fusion Plug-In Hybrid’s standard 50 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 Fusion Plug-In Hybrid.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Clarity Fuel Cell is quieter than the Fusion Plug-In Hybrid Titanium:

The Clarity Fuel Cell has .6 inches more front hip room, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear hip room and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Fusion Plug-In Hybrid.

The Clarity Fuel Cell has a much larger trunk than the Fusion Plug-In Hybrid (11.8 vs. 8.2 cubic feet).

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

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 Fusion Plug-In Hybrid’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Both the Clarity Fuel Cell and the Fusion 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 Fusion Plug-In Hybrid.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell and the Ford Fusion Plug-In Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.