Compare the2021 Honda Clarity Fuel CellVS 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge

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 XC40 Recharge’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the Clarity Fuel Cell and the XC40 Recharge 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.

Honda’s powertrain warranty covers the Clarity Fuel Cell 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC40 Recharge. Any repair needed on the motor, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the XC40 Recharge ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 4 times as many Honda dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Clarity Fuel Cell’s warranty.

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 Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda 19th in initial quality. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 31st.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 13 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The Clarity Fuel Cell’s maximum driving range on a tank of hydrogen is 360 miles (producing zero emissions other than water), 73% further than the XC40 Recharge’s 208-mile range. After it exhausts its hydrogen, the Mirai can then refuel in a few minutes, while the XC40 Recharge has to recharge for 40 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 8 hours.

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 XC40 Recharge’s standard 50 series tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Clarity Fuel Cell’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the XC40 Recharge (108.3 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 pounds less than the Volvo XC40 Recharge.

The Clarity Fuel Cell is 7.1 inches shorter in height than the XC40 Recharge, making the Clarity Fuel Cell much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The Clarity Fuel Cell has 4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XC40 Recharge (102 vs. 98).

The Clarity Fuel Cell has .1 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front hip room, 2.9 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear legroom, 1 inch more rear hip room and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC40 Recharge.

The Clarity Fuel Cell has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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 XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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 XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Clarity Fuel Cell has a 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. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the XC40 Recharge.

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