Is the Honda Clarity front or rear-wheel-drive?
The Honda Clarity is front-wheel drive.
The Clarity family comprises three variants—Plug-in Hybrid, Electric, and Fuel Cell—each using a front-axle electric drive that powers the front wheels. Honda did not offer a rear-wheel-drive configuration for the model, and the lineup was phased out in the early 2020s, leaving FWD as the defining drivetrain for the Clarity family.
Drivetrain breakdown by variant
The following overview explains how power is delivered to the wheels for each Clarity version:
- Clarity Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV): front-wheel drive; combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor to drive the front wheels.
- Clarity Electric (BEV): front-wheel drive; fully electric, with a front-axle electric motor powering the front wheels.
- Clarity Fuel Cell (FCEV): front-wheel drive; hydrogen fuel cell system powers an electric motor that drives the front wheels.
In short, every Clarity variant uses front-wheel drive, reflecting Honda's design approach for this lineup and its packaging considerations.
Context and current status
As part of its shift away from the Clarity family, Honda ended production for these models in the early 2020s. There are no current Clarity models in Honda's lineup. For buyers seeking a front-wheel-drive sedan with similar technology, Honda now offers other hybrids and EVs built on modern FWD architectures.
Summary
Across all variants, the Honda Clarity relies on front-wheel drive. There was no rear-wheel-drive Clarity, and the lineup has since been retired, with remaining units available only on the used market.
