Compare the2021 Honda Clarity Fuel CellVS 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

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 ID.4 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 ID.4’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the Clarity Fuel Cell and the ID.4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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 unlimited miles longer than the ID.4’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 65 percent more Honda dealers than there are Volkswagen dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Clarity Fuel Cell’s warranty.

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 Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda 27th in reliability. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 28th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 19 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

The Clarity Fuel Cell’s maximum driving range on a tank of hydrogen is 360 miles (producing zero emissions other than water), 44% further than the ID.4’s 250-mile range. After it exhausts its hydrogen, the Mirai can then refuel in a few minutes, while the ID.4 has to recharge for 38 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 7 hours and 30 minutes.

The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Only rear drums come on the ID.4. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

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 ID.4’s standard 55 series front and 50 series rear tires. The Clarity Fuel Cell’s tires are lower profile than the ID.4’s optional 50 series front tires.

The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 550 pounds less than the Volkswagen ID.4.

The Clarity Fuel Cell has 2.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the ID.4 (102 vs. 99.9).

The Clarity Fuel Cell has 1.1 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, 8.9 inches more rear hip room and 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the ID.4.

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 ID.4 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Both the Clarity Fuel Cell and the ID.4 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 ID.4.

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