Earlier this year, Honda sent shockwaves through the industry as it announced the cancellation of its future U.S.-built EVs mere months before the start of production. The Acura RSX, Honda 0 Series, and even the Sony Honda Mobility Afeela 1 were all left in the lurch, with pundits wondering where the brand will go next. As it turns out, back to hybrid models, and in a big way.
The automaker just revealed two next-generation hybrid prototypes, one Honda and one Acura. If you’ve been following Honda for a while, you’ll know it’s fond of revealing barely-altered future production cars as “Prototype” models, and with next-generation hybrids coming as soon as next year, it’s worth taking a closer look at these two machines.
Let’s start with the Acura, because it seems like it could be critical for the brand. See, compact crossovers are the hotness across both the mainstream and the luxury markets, and the discontinuation of the RDX compact crossover this year leaves Acura with a sizeable gap in its lineup. The brand’s already announced that the next RDX will be a hybrid, and looking at this vaguely-named Acura Hybrid SUV Prototype, I don’t see enough length beyond the C-pillar to accommodate a third row.
Could this be a preview of the next RDX, coming in 2028? Judging by the proportions, it could well be, and it looks reasonably sharp. Those sleek pull-up door handles are a nice surprise in an era of annoying flush-fit electronic fixtures, the overall surfacing’s nice and sharp, and the down-the-road graphic looks like a fairly successful application of Acura’s new styling language. It’s also worth noting that there are other details here hinting that this crossover is way too far along to be a pure concept. What sort of concept car has DOT-style amber reflectors in the front arch trims, real mirrors, or a surprisingly production-looking interior?
It’s a similar deal with the Honda Hybrid Sedan Prototype, in that it also sports DOT-style reflectors, windshield wipers, real mirrors, and a dashtop that doesn’t look like a flight of fancy. Those details are far more intriguing here because this “Prototype” model features far more radical styling than the Acura crossover. It’s a dramatic two-box design with a serious slope to the roofline. The front lighting arrangement is like nothing we’ve seen from Honda, and plastic cladding on a sedan is rather unusual. While it’s hard to judge size from a photo alone, the Hybrid Sedan Prototype does appear slightly longer than the Acura Hybrid SUV Prototype, so it might be more Accord-sized than Civic-sized.
General details on these models are fairly sparse, but we do know this is only the beginning. Honda plans on debuting 15 new hybrids by 2030, and the marque says they’ll be launching “primarily in North America.” Expect a roughly similar two-motor hybrid layout as in current models, just with a dramatically revised setup. Honda claims that a more efficient engine and revised electronics aim to “improve the fuel economy of the next-generation hybrid models by more than 10%, while reducing system costs by 30% and further advance a unique Honda driving experience.” All-wheel drive will be available via a separate motor on the rear axle. Promising stuff, and proof that the automaker has something in the works after its abrupt EV turnabout earlier this year. The current Civic Hybrid is already a spectacular daily driver, so more efficiency with less cost should be a compelling combination.
Top graphic image: Honda
That’s the new RDX, 100%
It EXACTLY matches the teaser for the next gen RDX that Acura dropped a few months ago. They mentioned it would be hybrid, too
Integra hybrid is the lowest hanging fruit that Acura isn’t touching for some reason.
I’ll keep my 10th gen Accord, thanks.
Not digging the looks of the sedan. The back end just doesn’t work. Looks like a fucked up Cybertruck
Yeah these look nice. I’d put $50 on this being the new Accord and RDX. Unless they are bringing the Insight name back out of retirement yet again.
Turn my Honda Ridgeline into a hybrid and I’ll be sticking with the brand when I get my next one in a couple of years (I’ve been Honda-only since buying a Pilot in 2008).
They’re supposed to be working on a V6 hybrid set up so hopefully they’ll get there.
Yeah, I’ve seen that and it looks good – problem is that the Ridgeline is always the last vehicle on the common platform to get any tech love. So hopefully this won’t be too far off. We were last to get the 9-speed, still don’t have the more modern infotainment system…
And Honda wonders why they don’t sell more…
Y so close to wagon shape, but no wagon
I’d totally rock one in its current form, but this could be a pretty rad wagon if Honda, ya know, just did the damn thing. I’d love a normal wagon for sale vs the super high end (expensive) wagons on the market today.
My thought exactly – flatten that roof out and it’s on my short list in a few years when I am shopping for my next daily.
The Honda Arteon. Hopefully it has a hatch.
If they put a hatch on that sedan I would rock the hell out of one.
That Honda prototype reallyyy looks like the China-only Honda S7 but squashed down. Wouldn’t be surprised if they end up sharing some DNA.
I share your opinion that these hybrids are meant to preview future production cars whose designs have already been frozen (this isn’t an unusual paradigm).
Meanwhile, the Honda one, which is hopefully a liftback, has Rover SD1 vibes. I like it.
That sedan looks incredible. I am very interested in this. It looks to me sized like a Honda Avalon, which would be amazing. Alternatively, a return of the cross-tour would be welcome as well.
As someone else mentioned, a Carscoops photo shows it is a sedan, not a liftback, which doesn’t bother me a ton but does seem to bother others. Maybe they’re leaving room in the lineup for a hatchback/wagon variant; the market may finally be ready again.
Also, Honda going to eAWD is huge news, that’ll help fix one of their last demerits vs Toyota.
I’ve been saying for awhile that most sedans just need to become hatchbacks, owing to the typical rear rake. I think this could be an Accord, or derivative, and it appears to have somewhat Crosstour proportions. I have a Civic Hybrid hatchback. While I love it, sometimes my old-man knees don’t. I think a roomy “sedan” somewhat in the form of a Toyota Crown could possibly rejuvenate the Accord, and maybe it fits with the market and times.
Sweet day in the morning! Could the Crosstour make a comeback?!
Man the reviews of the Crosstour styling when it debuted were just brutal. But here we are…
Every owner I met of the Crosstour loved it, and would have bought another if they made them.
It was the Honda Accord Wagon that we’d been so unjustly denied.
Preach
The Honda looks more like a coupe-ified station wagon. I love it!
The RDX looks like an angry CR-V.
Does sedan mean not a hatch, or can it be a hatchback sedan? I’ve always thought a sedan meant it didn’t have a hatch but just a trunk and this thing looks like it should have a hatch!
It absolutely looks like it should be a liftback and there will be palpable disappointment if it’s not.
Toyota GR86 has entered the chat.
Stations Wagons are now called crossovers
Coupe’s can have four doors these days
Porsche added Turbo to the name of the all electric Taycan
Words literally have no meaning anymore.
Figuratively speaking.
The sedan looks great
Worst Espada tribute, ever.
Yet a great GTV tribute. Go figure.
Thought it has more than a hint of Maserati Khamsin in the rear half.
I guess I am holding on to my 18′ Si a lot longer than anticipated. 11th gen Si is as boring as Lawrence Welk on a Sunday morning And this looks like a future Accord.
Saturday night.
So their EV strategy is…let’s not even bother at all? Current Prologue lessee here (we like it ok), of which I see a decent number on LA streets. I guess we’re all future Toyota customers.
Honestly, if your car works, buy it out. Almost all new cars, Toyota included, suck. They are un-reliable beta models they sold as finished products. It’s also the environmental friendly thing todo, not creating a ton of waste for a car you barely use. If you are used to leasing, you will just have to deal with the mental pressure in CA of not having the newest car out every 3 years.
I’m a bit reluctant to buy a car Honda is eager to be done with. Would consider used EV (new EV depreciation being a gut punch). Mostly I’m struck how Toyota took their time on EVs, and now has three in their lineup, while Honda will soon have zero. Toyota really played it smart.
The prologue is a GM anyway, hardly any Honda in it, but it kept android auto and apple car play and the GM siblings did not.
Yeah, Carplay was a factor. The Honda-ness is low, but it’s at least serene. The Blazer tries way too hard at being a Camaro.
Every Toyota/Lexus BEV is barely competitive and that’s a recent development, because their previous BEV’s were straight up not competitive at all. They wasted mountains of cash on hydrogen (and continue to do so). I’m not sure how smart they played it.
That’s not how it works. Production is scheduled far in advance of any purchase. If you don’t buy a new car, it doesn’t stop a car from being built. It just gets bought by someone else.
And unless it’s to a scrapyard, selling your old car doesn’t stop it from being driven.
Not buying paper towels doesn’t stop a tree from getting cut down. It was cut down long before you entered the store
This logic isn’t how demand works. Every individual purchase creates demand. If you don’t buy that car, or paper towel, they sit longer for sale, reducing demand, and indirectly production. Does one individual purchase shift the needle? No, but together they do, and like voting, every purchase is counted.
unless, a lot of people stop throwing away cars after 3 years and sales decline enough where they adjust their production schedules. But if you want to keep buying to align with the producers needs, by all means, go for it.
Can someone, I dunno, change the laws of nature the world operates on so physics work different?
I don’t want your cybertruck, or these cyber truck light designs. I want rounded corners, shapes and fun. I get it. I understand why I am looking at this car over and over and over from all different brands. I just don’t want it.
Angry + Ugly (Ungry? Angly?) is the current zeitgeist is auto design.
I think we are seeing a shift to something that is a crossbreed of the former “overly, randomly creased lump” and “angry robot” schools to form “smoother creased angry robot.”
The “overly, randomly creased lump” design is also what I think of as “sweatpants thrown against the wall then mirrored” design.
It feels like the rebellion against the gray jelly bean. The era of the bi-level doorstop is upon us.
At least it isn’t Bangley.
The sedan is giving me some Kia mixed with fjord vibes but doesn’t look bad.
I gotta say I’m kinda digging the new Crosstour
Oh my god it is a new Crosstour. That’s exactly what it looks like, only a little less bloated in the front.
The Crosstour had more of a wedge shape, with a taller rear end and a taller overall shape, whereas this new car looks more like a four-door coupe. And that makes all the difference. It’s why the 4 Series Gran Coupe sold and the 3 Series GT did not.
I don’t much care for the SUV, especially the front end (good god what is that beak) but it is a good thing that they are finally moving some of the Acuras to hybrids. I’m amazed they haven’t done it already.
And I REALLY like that sedan. That’s a very nice looking side profile. it would be pretty cool if it was a liftback like the current Civic Hatch. Though the black trim around the wheel wells looks a bit odd. It also looks rather high up… kind of like the Toyota Crown.
Btw, mentioning how finished the interiors look and then not showing the interiors? Criminal.
Looking at this photo from carscoops: it’s a standard sedan… not a liftback. I don’t understand cars that go for a fastback style design and then just go for a standard trunk! You’re missing out on so much practicality!
The shape is for aerodynamics, the lack of a liftgate is likely due to the structural rigidity that would be lost by removing the frame around the back lite and the glass as well and the extra weight in bracing needed to steady the structure.
Your point is certainly not lost on me, but like the Toyota Crown it looks big enough to not matter.