What is the oldest Honda Clarity?
The oldest Honda Clarity is the FCX Clarity, Honda’s first production hydrogen fuel-cell sedan, which debuted in 2008.
Although the Clarity name later broadened to include plug-in hybrids and electric variants, the original Clarity model was the FCX Clarity, launched in 2008 as Honda’s foray into hydrogen fuel-cell technology. It was produced for a limited lease program in select markets and laid the groundwork for the Clarity family that followed.
Origins of the Clarity name and its first model
Here is a concise look at how the Clarity family started and why the FCX Clarity matters in Honda’s electrified-vehicle history.
Key facts about the oldest Clarity include:
- Model: FCX Clarity, a hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV)
- Introduction: publicly unveiled in 2008, with a limited leasing program
- Markets: offered in select regions, notably California in the United States and Japan
- Powertrain: hydrogen fuel-cell stack powering an electric motor, with onboard energy storage and a high-pressure hydrogen tank
- Production span: roughly 2008–2014, with leases gradually winding down as Honda shifted focus to broader electrification
The FCX Clarity represented Honda's early push into hydrogen mobility and set the stage for the Clarity lineup that would reappear in 2016 with renewed hydrogen capability, alongside battery-electric and plug-in hybrid options.
The Clarity lineup's evolution after the FCX Clarity
After the FCX Clarity, Honda relaunched the Clarity name in 2016 as a family of electrified vehicles, expanding beyond hydrogen to include plug-in hybrids and electric versions while continuing to offer a hydrogen fuel-cell option in the lineup.
Key facts about the Clarity lineup introduced after the FCX Clarity:
- Clarity Fuel Cell (launched 2016): hydrogen-powered sedan built on a dedicated fuel-cell platform
- Clarity Plug-in Hybrid (relaunched for the 2018 model year): plug-in hybrid that combined a gasoline engine with an electric drivetrain
- Clarity Electric (launched around 2017–2018; limited markets): all-electric variant with a modest EV range
Honda ultimately adjusted the Clarity offering as markets and infrastructure evolved, with the name continuing as a symbol of the company’s broader electrification strategy even as some variants were phased out.
Bottom line
The oldest Honda Clarity is the FCX Clarity, introduced in 2008 as Honda’s first mass-produced hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle. It predates the broader Clarity lineup that later included plug-in hybrids and electric variants, and it remains a milestone in Honda’s history of zero-emission mobility.
Summary: The FCX Clarity, first shown in 2008, is the oldest model under the Clarity umbrella, marking Honda’s initial exploration into hydrogen-powered transportation and serving as a precursor to the later Clarity Fuel Cell, Plug-in Hybrid, and Electric offerings.
When was the first Honda Clarity made?
It was the first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle available to retail customers. Production began in June 2008 with leasing in the U.S. commenced in July 2008. It was introduced in Japan in November 2008. The FCX Clarity was available for lease in the U.S., Japan and Europe.
What is the oldest Honda hybrid?
the Insight
In 1999, Honda released the Insight–the brand's very first hybrid car. The Insight model was a popular hybrid, standing out from its competition due to its sleek design and efficiency. Compared to the competition of the time, the Insight outperformed other hybrid models because of its construction.
How much is a 2019 Honda Clarity worth?
$12,993 to $26,885
How much is a 2019 Honda Clarity worth? The value of a used 2019 Honda Clarity ranges from $12,993 to $26,885, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options. Get a free appraisal here.
