Honda Reveals New Hybrid Sedan Prototype, Expands Hybrid Plans
Honda, who famously killed off its 0 Series of all-electric vehicles on the eve of their launch, today has announced a hard pivot into hybrids, showing off what it called the Honda Hybrid Sedan Prototype, a car that looks suspiciously like a new Honda Accord. At the same event, it also showed off a prototype Acura SUV, pictured belowDuring that global business event in Tokyo today, May 14, Honda global CEO Toshihiro Mibe also outlined Honda’s plan to accelerate the rollout of 18 new or revised hybrid-powered models by 2030, with many of them expected to make their way to the U.S. market.The powertrain leading the way will be an updated version of Honda’s well-regarded two-motor hybrid system, which we have praised in the Honda Civic Hybrid. This hybrid setup will reportedly be 10 percent more efficient than before, all while reducing the overall cost of producing it by some 30 percent. Along with the massaged hybrid, Honda says it will also be accelerating the development of a new platform and rolling out a new all-wheel-drive system as well, and that the first models will appear sometime in 2027.As for the prototype sedan on the stand, the Accord seems to be the most logical model that the concept previews. It looks a lot like the present model with a new front end featuring a blockier appearance. The Accord is due for an update and would benefit from a new platform and hybrid system, although recently Honda did say that present models like the Accord would stay on as is for several years. So, potentially it could either be a Civic variant or new model entirely. It stands to reason that Honda would pursue a strategy similar to Toyota’s Camry and make the next Accord hybrid-only, whenever the new model does debut. As for the Acura SUV, best guess is that it will be the new RDX, which was announced earlier this year as a future hybrid. Timing on that model is sometime in the next two years, according to Honda.Honda is also making moves on the advanced driver-assist system (ADAS) front, and says it will be rolling out a suite of self-driving enhancements by 2028, including the ability to drive the car from point-to-point and handling the steering and acceleration duties all along a prescribed route.All of this has to be nothing but good news for Honda North America, where the majority of the new hybrids will be built. Its Marysville and East Liberty plants in Ohio will likely assemble the lion’s share, but all facilities will be able to do so. Honda also plans to launch a suite of larger hybrid models in 2029, presumably vehicles such as the three-row Pilot SUV.
