Why You Ought to Think about Shopping for This Used Underrated Honda PHEV

Whereas hybrid electrical autos (HEVs) have been a

Honda factor since 1999 with the Perception
, do you know that the Japanese automaker additionally has a protracted historical past of plug-in hybrid electrical autos (PHEVs)? The primary mass-market PHEV that Honda delivered to market was the Accord PHEV again in 2013, round a 12 months after Toyota’s first PHEV, the Prius PHEV, was launched.

For the reason that Accord PHEV’s debut in 2013, there have been quite a few Honda PHEVs which have hit the market worldwide. The present CR-V is accessible in PHEV guise in Europe and likewise in China, whereas the Accord PHEV solely lasted till the 2014 mannequin 12 months. It is because Honda decided that it was in a position to meet its fleet-wide gas effectivity objectives on the time with out the necessity for a PHEV. In 2017, nevertheless, Honda as soon as once more delivered to market a brand new midsize PHEV sedan, filling the void that the Accord PHEV left. Sadly, it was discontinued in 2021 as a consequence of gross sales finally truly fizzling out, and right this moment, in 2025, we now suppose it is a midsize PHEV that is price contemplating within the used automobile market.

As a way to provide the newest and correct info doable, the information used to compile this text was sourced from numerous producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with Honda and iSeeCars.

Honda Offers Some ‘Readability’

The midsize sedan that Honda launched in 2017 to showcase its efforts in numerous electrification applied sciences past hybrids got here within the type of the Readability. As a successor to the extremely experimental FCX Readability hydrogen gas cell electrical car (FCEV), the Readability got here in three variations: Readability Gas Cell, Readability Electrical, and Readability Plug-in Hybrid. It was the PHEV variant that ended up the most well-liked and probably the most compelling, for the next causes.

It Has A Effectively-Designed PHEV System

Revealed in 2017 for the 2018 mannequin 12 months, the Readability Plug-in Hybrid mixed a 1.5-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder engine with a robust electrical motor that drives the entrance wheels. Collectively, all the system pumps out a powerful 212 horsepower, and its 17 kWh lithium-ion battery was good for a most EPA-rated EV driving vary of 47 miles. As a result of its gas tank is not as huge, particularly for a midsize sedan, its seven-gallon tank allows a complete driving vary of 340 miles–something that even numerous pure electrical autos (EVs) can simply obtain in 2025.

However the motive why it is well-designed is due to its usability and effectivity. PHEVs normally aren’t nearly as good as their easier hybrid counterparts on the subject of their gas consumption when the battery is at a low state of cost. Nonetheless, the Readability Plug-in Hybrid has a mixed EPA gas financial system of 42 MPG–barely any completely different from

the Accord Hybrid
. Moreover, from a usability perspective, its 17 kWh battery will be charged at as much as 6.6 kW in AC, which was a commendable cost charge on the time and can also be the typical cost charge of right this moment’s PHEVs.

Honda Readability Plug-in Hybrid Specs

And It is Effectively-Priced As A Used Automotive, Too

However what makes the Readability Plug-in Hybrid engaging is its good resale worth. In line with iSeeCars, a three-year-old Readability Plug-in Hybrid has a median used value of $28,106, which is barely increased than a three-year-old Accord Hybrid at $26,768. Nonetheless, five-year-old fashions of each the Accord Hybrid and Readability Plug-in Hybrid practically even out, with the previous having a median used value of $22,973, whereas the latter is valued on common at $22,074.

From a reliability standpoint, each the Accord Hybrid and Readability Plug-in Hybrid ought to carry out comparatively equally, because the hybrid programs of the 2 midsize sedans have numerous components in widespread. Nonetheless, as a result of rarity of the Readability Plug-in Hybrid, components which can be distinctive to this automobile will most likely be tougher to seek out than within the Accord Hybrid. That is why the Readability Plug-in Hybrid takes a slight resale worth hit versus the Accord Hybrid when making an allowance for the older mannequin years of each midsize hybrid sedans. Lastly, there’s additionally the market recall of the Readability lineup. In truth, I would already forgotten that the Readability lineup existed within the late 2010s till I made a decision to jot down an article about it.

Novelty In Rarity

The 2018-2021 Honda Readability Plug-in Hybrid has early success, however its gross sales shortly tapered off in the midst of its lifecycle. Gross sales declined sufficient by 2021 for Honda to finally cease producing this midsize plug-in hybrid sedan for North America. Because of this, whereas some might not recall the Readability Plug-in Hybrid, its rarity versus an Accord might be sufficient novelty for used automobile customers to think about this midsize PHEV sedan.

Quirky Exterior Styling

The 2018-2021 Honda Readability Plug-in Hybrid, together with its derivatives, is constructed on a devoted platform that accommodates all three powertrain varieties. Subsequently, the Readability dons a novel character that may both be described as quirky or downright awkward. When seen from the entrance, issues look fairly spiffy, with the Readability Plug-in Hybrid adopting a near-horizontal chrome bar versus the Electrical and Gas Cell variations’ U-shaped chrome bar. The fastback profile creates a modern silhouette, serving to the Readability obtain a drag coefficient of simply 0.25 Cd.

As you progress in the direction of the again, nevertheless, issues begin to get fairly bizarre. The peak at which the fastback profile tapers off is a bit too excessive, giving it bizarre proportions that makes its rear finish look tall and ungainly. That is not helped by the rear wheels, that are partially lined by the rear fenders. It is a design trait that considerably pays homage to the unique Perception, however in our opinion, it contributes to the Readability’s awkward rear proportions. In case you dig it, then we’re not going to contest you, and that is maybe sufficient distinction to get the Readability over the normality of the Accord.

Whereas The Inside Is A Blended Bag

Now, as for the inside of the Honda Readability Plug-in Hybrid, the general design is fascinating, giving it a novel character. The sprint has a horizontal design motif–one that is damaged up by the 8-inch Show Audio infotainment that is housed in a panel that provides it an phantasm of floating on the sprint. The fabric choice can also be fascinating, because of a combination of soft-touch supplies and matte wood-like trim. Topping all of it off is a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and premium options equivalent to leather-based upholstery and power-adjustable entrance seats on increased trims.

Area is, in typical Honda style, excellent. The place it falls quick is how its expertise options are executed. There’s nothing inherently mistaken about it, thoughts you, however as a result of the Readability is not a part of the core Honda household, it was one way or the other left within the sidelines on the subject of updates. As an illustration, whereas the brand new Accord that was launched simply a few years later obtained a bigger infotainment system with Honda’s newest working system, the Readability didn’t get that upgrade–even close to the tip of its lifecycle. However, it will not be a deal breaker for some, contemplating they’re shopping for it used anyway, however we’re simply letting you realize that an Accord of the identical period and age has newer and extra fashionable tech options.

Honda’s Electrification Technique In the present day

Whereas the Honda Readability might stop to exist right this moment, its legacy is undeniably necessary because it helped the model study from its electrification efforts. In the present day, the Honda hybrid lineup in the US is rising and award-winning, particularly with the Civic Hybrid being topped because the North American Automotive of the Yr, and there is extra to return because the Prelude sporty hybrid coupe’s world debut in manufacturing type attracts nearer.

Hybrids Targeted On Sportiness

Honda’s hybrid technique lately has targeted on extra than simply delivering gas effectivity, but in addition placing driving pleasure on the forefront. You see, with Honda’s hybrids, regardless of using an e-CVT, which, of their case, is extra of a clutch pack connecting and disconnecting the engine from the driveshaft, their hybrids have erred on the sportier facet while offering wonderful real-world effectivity. Engineering choices equivalent to Linear Shift Management within the present hybrid variations of the Civic, CR-V, and Accord have eradicated the rubber-band throttle really feel of typical series-parallel hybrid programs, and that is set to proceed with the

next-generation Prelude
.

That is as a result of Honda goes to lengths to make the Prelude’s hybrid system really feel and carry out in a means that really mimics a conventional computerized with a number of gears. They purpose to realize such a degree of engagement with the S+ Shift, which builds upon Linear Shift Management by including precise jolts and shift shocks everytime you undergo the paddle shifters, together with the accompanying build-up of revs whilst you cycle by the gears. Whether or not such degree of engineering really helps in making the Prelude drive higher stays to be seen, however at the least we all know that within the face of electrification. Honda continues to be inserting nice emphasis on sportiness in its autos.

Lastly, Extra Compelling EVs

Fortunately, nevertheless, Honda can also be advancing its EV technique with its upcoming 0 Sequence lineup. These EVs are set to reach with distinct designs each in and out, in addition to coming with cutting-edge tech options. The latter is about to be constructed on high of the brand new Asimo OS, a brand new, software-defined-vehicle (SDV) working system that encompasses the whole thing of the 0 Sequence EVs, from car telematics to electrical drivetrain administration and multimedia.

Sadly, from the best way they appear and are positioned, the 0 Sequence EVs is perhaps positioned within the premium finish of the automotive market, although that is solely our hunch. Here is to hoping that Honda’s EVs are additionally going to be positioned within the mainstream phase.