Compare the2022 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In HybridVS 2021 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s optional rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Clarity Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Clarity Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid and the Clarity 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, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear parking sensors.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid the rating of “Top Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 214 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Clarity Plug-In Hybrid has not been tested, yet.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Clarity Plug-In Hybrid’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Honda covers the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Honda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 8th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 17th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 7th in reliability, above the industry average. With 44 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 27th.

On the EPA test cycle the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity (123 city/115 hwy vs. 117 city/102 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine (52 city/51 hwy vs. 44 city/40 hwy).

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has 4.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid (11.4 vs. 7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Clarity Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For better maneuverability, the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s turning circle is 3.6 feet tighter than the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid’s (34.8 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 750 pounds less than the Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid is 1 foot, 4.7 inches shorter than the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid, making the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Clarity Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s hatch uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the cargo area. The Clarity Plug-In Hybrid’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

The power windows standard on both the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid and the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Clarity Plug-In Hybrid prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Clarity Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Clarity Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid and the Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Hyundai Ioniq outsold the Honda Clarity by almost five to one during the 2021 model year.