Is the Honda Clarity AWD?
No; none of the Honda Clarity variants—Plug‑In Hybrid, Electric, or Fuel Cell—were offered with all‑wheel drive, and the model line was discontinued in the United States in 2021.
Overview of the Clarity lineup and drivetrain
The Clarity family was introduced as part of Honda’s electrification push in the late 2010s, comprising three distinct powertrains designed for different customer needs. Across all variants, Honda used front‑wheel drive configurations rather than an AWD setup.
Drivetrain by variant
Before examining the specifics, here is a concise breakdown of how each Clarity version was powered and driven.
- Clarity Plug‑In Hybrid: Front‑wheel drive; combines a 1.5‑liter Atkinson‑cycle gasoline engine with an electric motor and a rechargeable battery. The electric motor drives the front wheels, while the gas engine can act as a generator.
- Clarity Electric: Front‑wheel drive; an all‑electric propulsion system with a single or paired electric motor powering the front axle and a sizeable battery pack for daily driving ranges.
- Clarity Fuel Cell: Front‑wheel drive; uses a hydrogen fuel‑cell stack to power an electric motor that drives the front wheels; no all‑wheel‑drive option was offered.
In short, there were no AWD configurations in the Clarity lineup, reflecting Honda’s design and market strategy for this family.
Current status and context
Honda began winding down the Clarity program in the United States around 2020–2021 due to slower adoption of the trio of electrified models and shifting corporate priorities. Production ended, and remaining units are available only used or in limited markets. There is no AWD Clarity in production or official offering today, and Honda has since focused its electrified efforts on newer platforms and models.
What this means for buyers today
For customers seeking all‑wheel drive within Honda’s current lineup, options have shifted to other models and drivetrain configurations, such as AWD versions of traditional gasoline vehicles and newer electrified offerings outside the Clarity family. The Clarity itself is no longer a path to AWD and now serves primarily as a historical example of Honda’s early electrification efforts.
Summary
The Honda Clarity was never offered with all‑wheel drive in any of its variants (Plug‑In Hybrid, Electric, or Fuel Cell), and the lineup was discontinued in 2021. Today, buyers looking for AWD should consider other Honda models or newer electrified options, as the Clarity nameplate is no longer in active production.
