The Honda Clarity does 42.3 mpg combined (41.6 city, 44.5 highway), which works out to about $908 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: Electric does 114 mpg while 3L 6-cyl does 21.5 — a difference of $1,449 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Honda Clarity engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 126 / 103 | 2017–2019 | $337 | |
| Fuel cell | 66.8 / 66 | 2014–2021 | $576 | |
| 1.5L 4-cyl Hybrid | 44 / 40 | 2018–2021 | $914 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 22.8 / 31.8 | 2004–2013 | $1,466 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 19.7 / 30 | 2008–2013 | $1,670 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 18.3 / 26.8 | 2004–2007 | $1,786 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.076 |
| Fuel per year | $908 |
| Fuel over five years | $4,540 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$604 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,812 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 41.6 mpg | $923 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 44.5 mpg | $863 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +2.9 mpg (7%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the Clarity changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 56 / 53.5 | 2 | $698 | |
| 2020 | 56 / 53.5 | 2 | $698 | |
| 2019 | 79.3 / 70 | 3 | $514 | |
| 2018 | 79.7 / 70 | 3 | $514 | |
| 2017 | 97.5 / 85 | 2 | $422 | |
| 2014 | 59 / 61 | 1 | $640 | |
| 2013 | 23.5 / 34 | 2 | $1,396 | |
| 2012 | 21.5 / 31.5 | 2 | $1,536 | |
| 2011 | 21 / 31.5 | 2 | $1,567 | |
| 2010 | 20 / 30 | 2 | $1,600 | |
| 2009 | 20.5 / 30 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2008 | 20.5 / 30 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2007 | 20.5 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2006 | 20.5 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2005 | 21 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,600 | |
| 2004 | 20.5 / 29 | 2 | $1,600 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Honda Clarity get?
42.3 mpg combined on average — 41.6 in the city and 44.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2004–2021.
How much does a Honda Clarity cost in fuel per year?
About $908 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $4,540 over five years, or 0.076 dollars a mile.
Which Clarity engine is the most economical?
The Electric at 114 mpg, against 21.5 for the 3L 6-cyl — a difference of about $1,449 a year.
Is the Clarity good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.