- The Honda 0 SUV debuts in North America in early 2026
- The Honda 0 Saloon arrives in the latter part of the year, almost as a niche flagship
- Production of both models begins this year in Ohio
Honda showcased production-ready prototypes of the Honda 0 SUV and Honda 0 Saloon at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas on Tuesday. Following the Honda 0 concepts presented last year at CES 2024, Honda has confirmed that prototypes will progress to production in 2026 at the brand's new EV Hub in Ohio.
The crossover is scheduled to go on sale first North America in the first half of 2026before it is sold worldwide. The more futuristic sedan is scheduled to go on sale in late 2026 in North America, with global sales to follow. Honda named Europe and Japan mainly as part of their global markets, not to mention China.
Honda 0 SUV prototype
It's been a while since Honda's push to distance itself from General Motors in the EV space, although the Honda Prologue has been a hit. Built in partnership with GM and using GM's previously known Ultium propulsion system, the Prologue outsold both the related Chevy Blazer EV and the less expensive Equinox EV, thanks in part to aggressive lease deals. The Prologue and Blazer EV have different personalities based on our head-to-head testing. The Prologue finished with about 33,000 units sold for the year, which was about 43% more than the Blazer EV.
The renovation of the Marysville Auto Plant, where the Honda Accord, Acura TLX, and Acura Integra are made, and the repurposing of the East Liberty plant where the Civic, CR-V, and Acura RDX and MDX are made, It started in late 2024. way of two 0 Series models at the forefront of Honda's battery electric vehicle systems.
Honda 0 Saloon for example
In response to questions from the media, American Honda avoided any relationship with the Afeela, an electric start-up car developed in collaboration with Sony and Honda. Its first sedan will be released in 2026, and it will be produced out of the Ohio EV Hub. Honda provides the EV platform and drive technology used in the 0 Series models to Afeela.
Other details like dimensions, motor units, battery pack sizes, and other details of the Honda 0 SUV and Honda 0 Saloon remain thin. A telephone guidance system promises to integrate more electronic control units with the suspension and brakes to improve handling in the Honda style. The Prologue's handling was one of the things we noted as superior to the Blazer EV.
Honda 0 Series (Accord) platform prototype
A short Honda 0 Series test drive in Japan last October showed a small, low battery, smaller axles than those used in many other EVs, air suspension, and a long wheelbase with no overhangs. Earlier, Honda said the 0 Series will feature lightweight, compact battery packs that can charge from 15%-80% in just 10-15 minutes, and will not lose more than 10% of its original capacity and range after 10 years. . of use. Additionally, Honda aims to a 300 mile range on 0 Series models.
However, specific details were not shared on the prototypes shown at CES 2025. But, in the two-car journey, the prototypes offered a lot to be excited about.
Honda 0 SUV prototype
The Honda 0 SUV looks ready to roll
The electric crossover looks production-ready and more consumer-friendly than the Space-Hub van concept that debuted last year. From the B-pillars onwards, it looks more upright than the Prologue but is curved for aero and adorned with a futuristic light signature. Running lights stacked like ice cube trays extend the vertical face, with a shelf that separates the lower grill from the divider. Rounded wheel arches and high body sides give way to a compact greenhouse with a windshield that goes into the glass roof. It will be different but not surprising on the roads now.
Except for the back end of the garlic-bulb. From the C-pillars back it can pass a cargo van which improves the cargo area. The roof doesn't taper off that much before descending into the vertical tailgate. The same Honda lettering from the Prologue is stamped on the rear of the Honda 0 SUV, with a U-shaped taillight ringing out from behind. The rear shelf here separates the gate from the lower bumper and taillights. The door reveals a boxy cargo area with high shelves hidden in the rear compartments. It adopts Honda's “Thin, Light, and Wise” design philosophy, and a spacious cabin follows suit, with a 6-foot-4 man fitting in both the front and rear seats with ample headroom and legroom.
It remains to be seen if a wall of dash screens will be produced but we doubt it, as the outer sides of the screens are side camera displays used instead of actual side mirrors. Those side cameras remain illegal in the US The prototype also has steering wheel yokeand an extensive floor plan that we hope will make it to production. There are no visible control buttons or dials.
Honda 0 Saloon for example
The Honda 0 Saloon extends the Honda concept
Across the floor, the Honda 0 Saloon sedan expands the possibilities of what Honda can be. With its kammback rear and its wedge-like nose that evokes the supercars of the 1980s, the saloon prototype looks remarkably similar to the concept. The integrated headlights sweep down to the edges atop a pointed splitter, with light traps. Slim headlights sit in their angular nose, and can be covered with power doors when not in use, again reminiscent of the '70s and '80s. Large 23- or 24-inch wheels with aero covers lurk in the wheel arches with no gap at all, and the front axle sits below where the cowling starts. That's one less dash-to-axle ratio.
Like the 0 SUV, the full glass roof extends long and flat towards the rear, which kicks up like a whale's fat tail. It is not clear how it opens at the back, as there is a concentrated ring of 3D lights where any rear window or glass would normally be. It it looks like there is no Hondaand this 0 Series flagship should be considered to offer more niche compared to the popular 0 SUV.
Honda showcased the low-slung saloon entry-level feature. When entering or exiting, the yoke steering wheel simply turns downwards without turning the wheels. The driver's seat reclines so you can get in or out without hitting your knees under the yoke.
Honda 0 SUV prototype
Honda 0 Series Asimo Operating System
The Asimo Operating System designed and developed by Honda will manage the electronic control units of driver assistance systems and car information systems, and with over-the-air updates it promises to customize the experience of car ownership throughout its life. I The OS takes its name from the humanoid robot Honda introduced to the world in 2000, and Asimo will be used in all models of the 0 Series.
Honda 0 SUV prototype
Honda introduced Level 3 hands-free driving in the 0 Series
Honda also said they will release it for the first time Level 3 autonomous driving system on two 0 Series models, but Honda reps admitted that regulatory hurdles still exist in the US The system allows driving without eyes and hands, so that operators can travel long distances on limited roads, but they will have to interact with the screens by streaming a movie or anything else. rather than sleep so that they are quickly motivated to take over the driving if the system cuts. Honda has been using this system on Japanese roads, but the country's laws in the US make it a challenge here. Mercedes-Benz is the only automaker with a Level 3 system on US roads, and it's limited to Nevada and California.
Honda also announced future plans to collaborate with Renesas Electronics Corporation to develop a high-performance processing chip that will allow Honda to employ a central electronic control unit that integrates all other control components.
Honda also touted its emerging Ionna charging network developed with seven other automakers to include reliable fast charging at 30,000 stations in North America by 2030. Since the 0 Series models will have native NACS ports, Honda expects 0 Series owners to gain access. to 100,000 public charging stations by 2030 like that. A customized charging service built using Amazon Web Services is also under development.