Honda is doubling down on its electrified future, and it’s starting to look interesting. Twelve months after providing us with a glimpse of its vision for the next generation of EVs, the Japanese automaker has confirmed plans to debut two new electric vehicle prototypes at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Read: Honda’s 0 Series Next-Gen EVs Will Have Thin Batteries And Light Bodies

A teaser image gives us a sneak peek at these two prototypes. On the left sits a car that appears nearly identical to last year’s Saloon EV Concept, retaining its signature design elements like the intricate LED taillight, illuminated Honda script, and the diffuser-mounted slim brake light. However, Honda has labeled it a “prototype” rather than a concept this time, suggesting it’s an evolved version. We can’t tell from the shadowy image what’s changed, so we’ll have to wait for its CES debut to see how Honda has refined the design and engineering.

The SUV Grabs the Spotlight

Perhaps of more interest is the 0 Series prototype pictured next to it. This vehicle adopts the form of a boxy SUV and it looks like a big one too, perhaps similar in size to the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Kia EV9. It appears to lack traditional wing mirrors, has a lengthy wheelbase, and an almost completely vertical rear window adorned with a wraparound LED light bar. Two extra lights are positioned towards the base of the rear bumper.

Last year, Honda provided a preview of the new vehicles that will form part of the 0 Series family. Set to launch in 2026 alongside the saloon are a mid-size SUV and an entry-level SUV. In 2027, these will be followed up by a three-row, large SUV, while a compact SUV has been scheduled for 2028 and a small-size SUV is in the works for 2029. By 2030, Honda will launch 7 vehicles in its 0 Series globally.

Tech Takes Center Stage

It’s not just these two concepts that Honda will bring along to CES. The Japanese brand will also introduce a new proprietary vehicle operating system to be used by its future EVs. New automated driving technologies are also on the agenda.

Honda’s new EVs are based around a “Thin, Light and Wise,” approach. The brand’s CES display will focus on the ‘Wise’ value and also provide a look at the System on Chip (SoC) underpinnings of the 0 Series models, as well as Honda’s future Software Defined Vehicles (SDV).

We’re constantly hearing about an EV downturn and how automakers are changing their electrification strategies because consumers aren’t consuming. And sure, sales of electric cars are down in countries like Germany, but in the US people are still buying EVs, and they’re buying more of them than they did 12 months ago.

EV registrations climbed 5 percent in October versus the same month in 2023, topping out at 101,403, according to data from S&P Global Mobility. And it wasn’t Tesla driving that growth, but legacy automakers.

Related: Global EV Sales Shatter Records In November Thanks To China’s Unstoppable Growth

Chevrolet’s EV sales jumped 38 percent to 6,741 helped by demand for the Blazer and Equinox, while Cadillac Lyriq registrations grew threefold to 2,489 and the Hummer shifted 1,015 electric trucks, four times as many as it did last October. 

Like the Equinox, Honda’s Prologue, which is built on the same GM platform and in the same Mexican GM plant, wasn’t available in 2023, but made its presence felt this year. It found 4,168 homes, only 12 fewer than Chevy did of its version. Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 facelift also gave its sales numbers the desired nip and tuck, boosting registrations from 3,555 to 4,485.

Although the overall number of EV sales is up, the rate of growth has slowed and some models registered fewer deliveries than previously. The Ford Mustang Mach-E, for instance, was down from 3,949 to 3,479 according to S&P Global Mobility’s spreadsheet and Rivian R1S sales dropped by more than 500 to 2,456. There are also fears that the EV segment relies heavily on tax credit availability to boost demand, and public interest could wane if Trump pulls the plug on the incentives when he takes office.

BEST SELLING EVs USA

Tesla’s registration numbers actually fell by 1.8 percent, and if you remove Tesla from the equation, EV sales increased not by 5 percent, but by 11 percent. And this isn’t a blip for Tesla: the automaker’s numbers have fallen in seven of the first 10 months of 2024, Auto News reports, and that’s despite the facelifted Model 3 and Cybertruck being new for this year. While the Model 3 gained ground, the Model Y fell back, sales tumbling from more than 25,000 to under 22,000.

But before anyone gets the idea that Tesla is falling behind in the EV race, we should make clear that it still outperformed the second best-selling brand’s EV models six times over. Or every single brand in the 2nd to 12th spots combined.

EV REGISTRATIONS USA

In Western markets, Honda has lagged behind several competitors in the race to develop and launch compelling battery-electric vehicles. However, over in China, the automaker has been more agile in responding to shifting market trends. The Ye P7 marks the first of three new EVs Honda is rolling out locally, demonstrating a strategic push to reclaim its footing in the electric vehicle arena.

The crossover, branded as the Ye P7, was initially previewed in April alongside the Ye S7 crossover and the Ye GT Concept, a sleek low-slung sedan. These newly released images showcase the Ye P7 in its production form for the first time. Thanks to the diligent disclosures from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, we now have access to additional technical specifications that shed light on this latest offering from Honda.

Read: Honda Takes On BYD With New Ye EV Brand, Shows SUVs And GT Concept

Honda plans to manufacture the Ye P7 in collaboration with its local joint venture partner, GAC. Measuring 4,750 mm (187 inches) in length, 1,930 mm (75.9 inches) in width, and standing 1,625 mm (63.9 inches) tall, the crossover boasts a long wheelbase of 2,930 mm (115.3 inches). The new electric model weighs in at 2,305 kg (5,081 lbs) and comes standard with imposing 21-inch wheels.

The battery pack is a lithium-ion unit sourced from CATL. While we don’t yet know the capacity of this battery, we do know it drives a 201 hp (150 kW) front-mounted motor and a 268 hp (200 kW) rear-mounted motor. That’s enough to send the Ye P7 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.6 seconds, making it substantially quicker than a Civic Type R.

Visually, Honda seems to have taken at least some inspiration from higher-end crossover vehicles like the Ferrari Purosangue and Toyota Crown Sport with lobster claw-shaped LED headlights and a light bar. The hood is quite pronounced, complete with bumps on either side that flow neatly to the base of the A-pillars.

Adding to the somewhat rugged looks of the crossover are squared-off gloss black fenders and angular skirts. One surprising feature that has made its way through to production from the concept model is the rear-facing door cameras in the place of traditional wing mirrors. Door handles that sit flush with the bodywork are also standard.

Spin around to the rear and there are LED taillights that match up nicely with the headlights. There’s also a large Honda badge and plenty of gloss black elements.

These photos don’t show the interior of the Ye P7 but the concept’s cabin looked pretty close to production. It included a massive central touchscreen display housing all important settings, including the HVAC controls. It also featured a single wireless phone charging pad and a dedicated digital instrument cluster perched towards the top of the dashboard.  

Thew new Honda Ye P7 is expected to make its market launch in China later this year.

November’s performance for the Honda Group was a tale of contrasts, most notably the continued decline in sales of Acura’s two remaining sedans, the Integra and TLX. But in the midst of these disappointing numbers, there are a few bright spots, including the Honda Prologue. Let’s dive into the details.

Prologue Breaks Records

In November, Honda delivered 6,823 units of its electric Prologue SUV, setting a new monthly sales record. Since its launch in April this year, the Prologue has moved a total of 25,132 units, a respectable figure for a vehicle still finding its place in the competitive electric SUV market. Developed in collaboration with General Motors, the Prologue is built on the same Ultium battery architecture and BEV3 platform as the Chevrolet Blazer EV, Acura ZDX, and Cadillac Lyriq, and is manufactured by GM.

More: These Are The Best Selling EVs Of 2024 Up Until Now

What makes the Prologue particularly impressive is its ability to outpace GM’s own offerings based on the same platform. In the third quarter of 2024, the Prologue sold 12,644 units, easily surpassing the Chevy Blazer EV (7,998 units) and the Cadillac Lyriq (7,224 units). Ouch. It’ll be interesting to see how the Prologue fares at the end of Q4, especially when GM’s results come in, given that the company has stopped releasing monthly sales reports.

Sales Snapshot: Honda vs. Acura

Overall, Honda and Acura saw an uptick of 14.5% in November, with total sales reaching 121,419 units. Year-to-date, they’re up 8.7%, tallying 1,288,260 units. Breaking it down, Honda had a solid November, with sales increasing 15.9% (110,020 units) and an 11.1% rise year-to-date (1,168,890 units). On the flip side, Acura took a hit, with sales dropping 10.1% in November. Year-to-date, however, Acura is still up a modest 2.6%.

Accord, Integra, and TLX: Supply Chain Struggles

Honda has been quick to blame the struggles of some of its key models, like the Accord, Integra, and TLX, on supply chain constraints. Specifically, the retooling of the Marysville Auto Plant to establish Honda’s EV Hub in Ohio has caused production delays. While this might explain some of the shortfall, it doesn’t do much for the dealerships facing disappointed customers looking for the latest sedans.

Honda Pilot Soars, Acura Stumbles

The biggest success story from Honda and Acura in November was the Honda Pilot, which saw sales soar by 38.5%, reaching 12,652 units. Other popular Honda models like the CR-V (+9.5%), Civic (+9.1%), Odyssey (+12.2%), and HR-V (+18.3%) also posted solid gains.

Acura, on the other hand, had a rough month, with only the MDX SUV (+6.2%) managing to show a positive sales trend in November, moving 3,386 units. The rest of the lineup didn’t fare well, with the Integra and RDX falling 18.5% and 8.3%, respectively. Looks like Acura’s luxury ambitions are facing a rather painful reality check.

Earlier this week, a Consumer Reports study showed that Tesla EVs were the least expensive cars to run over a 10-year period. But that doesn’t mean anyone buying one is in a for a decade of stress-free driving. Another study, this time published in Germany, has ranked the automaker’s Model 3 last for reliability for the second year running.

The TÜV test is a compulsory roadworthiness assessment – officially called the Hauptuntersuchung – that all cars being used on German roads must undergo every 24 months once they reach three years old. Inspectors check the condition and operation of everything from the chassis structure to the brakes, steering, suspension, lights and a huge list of other items.

Related: Ram Tops J.D. Power Quality Survey, But Dodge Drops From First To Last

It’s a tough test and one out of every five cars fails. Tesla’s Model 3 racked up more failures than any other car in the 2–3 and 4–5-year segments, primarily due to problems with its lights, brakes and suspension.

The TÜV notes that the last two are often a problem with EVs due to their weight compared with equivalent combustion-powered cars and the fact that much of the braking force is generated through energy recuperation, meaning the brakes don’t get enough of a workout to keep them in good order.

“The high mileage cannot disguise the poor performance of the Model 3,” said  Joachim Bühler, Managing Director of the TÜV Association. “In addition to defects in the brakes and axles, the Tesla also has a particularly high number of lighting defects. This indicates deficiencies in service and maintenance.”

LOSERS: LEAST RELIABLE CARS

The study also showed that the highest-quality EVs are those made by adapting existing combustion cars. VW’s e-Golf and the Mini Cooper SE, for instance, recorded far fewer faults than bespoke EVs like the Renault Zoe and Tesla Model 3.

The Model 3 was ranked worst in the 2-3 and 4-5-year-old category, with Dacia’s Dokker taking the 6-7 and 8-9 age group raspberries, the same company’s Logan coming bottom in the the 10-11 section, and sister company Renault’s Twingo getting the wooden spoon for 12-13-year-old cars.

At the other end of the scale, there was good news for anyone looking to buy a used Porsche, or a new one that they plan to keep for a long time. The 911 Carrera was rated top in all of the five age categories between 4-13 years. But proving that you don’t need to spend a fortune to buy a quality, reliable car, the Honda Jazz took gold in the 2-3-year category.

WINNERS: MOST RELIABLE CARS

The electric range of Honda’s EVs could double in the next few years with the introduction of solid-state batteries, the automaker’s R&D chief predicts.

Keiji Otsu made the comments to journalists at the opening of Honda’s demonstration solid-state production line in Sakura City, Tochigi, Japan. The 27,400 m2 (295,000 ft2) site has received 43 billion yen ($277 million) of funding and will start pilot battery production in January 2025.

Related: New Solid-State Batteries From Mercedes And Factorial Could Boost EV Range By 80%

But Honda engineers then have to verify the build process, technologies, and the cost of making the batteries, plus lock down the exact battery cell specifications before full production can start and the power packs can be fitted to production EVs.

That’ll happen “in the second half of the 2020s,” Honda says. Otsu described solid-state technology as “a game changer of the EV era,” telling Reuters that the new batteries would deliver twice the driving range of current lithium-ion batteries by the end of this decade and 2.5 times more range by the 2040s.

On the face of it, that could mean Honda EVs being capable of 600 miles (966 km) on one charge by 2029, though the more likely reality for most models is that Honda will improve range a little but use the energy density advantages to reduce the size of the batteries fitted to its electric cars.

Honda’s goals for the project are to reduce battery size by 50 percent, weight by 35 percent and cost by 25 percent compared with current EV levels, Otsu explained to Reuters. Reducing cost is key to making electric cars more affordable (and more desirable) to buyers, especially at a time when many are beginning to lose interest in EVs.

The automaker said it wants to increase EV production to more than 2 million units within five years, predicting that battery- and fuel-cell-powered vehicles will account for 40 percent of its total sales at that point, and all of them by 2040.

But Honda doesn’t only plan to put solid-state batteries into cars. It says a range of mobility products including motorcycles and even aircraft will benefit from the technology. Otsu also said Honda, which earlier this year formed an alliance with Nissan to develop batteries and motors, was open to selling its Sakura-built batteries to other brands.

Depreciation is a fact of life, but what you buy has a big impact on resale values down the line. To help consumers, J.D. Power has released their 2025 U.S. ALG Residual Value Awards which highlight the vehicles that are projected to hold the highest percentage of their manufacturer’s suggested retail price after three years of ownership.

The winners aren’t exactly a surprise as Honda and Lexus walked away with top honors for the fourth consecutive year. J.D. Power’s Danny Battaglia credited part of this success to Honda’s pricing discipline as well as Lexus’ restraint on incentives, which can negatively impact resale values of older vehicles.

More: 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Starts At $59,595

Besides being named the best premium brand, Lexus picked up the most model-level awards. Class honors went to the IS, LS, NX, RX, and TX. Their mainstream counterpart, Toyota, also picked up awards for the Camry and GR Supra as well as the Tundra and Land Cruiser.

Japanese models dominated the rankings as Honda scored wins for the Civic, Passport and Odyssey, while Subaru picked up accolades for the Crosstrek, Forester, and WRX. Other awards went to the Acura Integra and Nissan Kicks.

American brands might have played second fiddle, but GM racked up five wins. The Chevrolet Corvette was named the best “midsize premium sporty car,” while the Cadillac Escalade was the best large premium SUV. GMC also picked up awards for the Sierra 3500 HD as well as the Hummer EV Pickup and SUV.

Interestingly, the soon to be launched Dodge Charger Daytona was named the best electric car. While it remains to be seen what resale values will look like three years from now, electric coupes are virtually unheard of in America so the Charger Daytona doesn’t really have any competition.

Sticking with EVs, the Tesla Model 3 was dubbed the best premium electric car. The Hyundai Kona EV, on the other hand, was named best electric SUV.

Awards were also given to the BMW X1 and 5-Series, Jeep Gladiator and Wagoneer, and Kia Telluride. Mercedes’ only win was for the Sprinter, which took the commercial van class.

Countless Americans have a Honda in their garage and only fire it up on weekends. Unfortunately for them, it’s a lawn mower and not an S2000.

Honda mowers have been the gold standard for decades and they first arrived in the United States in 1978. However, everything changed last year when the company ceased production of the gas-powered HRX, HRN, and HRC. The move caused a huge backlash, but Honda said the change was necessary due to “multiple factors including stricter environmental regulations, shifting customer preferences, and the need to align local manufacturing resources around other products in high demand.”

More: California Is Banning All Small Gas-Powered Engines, Including Lawn Equipment

Fast forward to today and Honda is previewing their new lineup of electric mowers at Equip Exposition 2024. Designed to be “comparable to the gas-powered models they replace,” the new battery-powered mowers promise a “best-in-class cut” when they arrive next spring.

Starting with the entry-level HRN-BV, the mower is slated to cost $899 and have a Smart Drive self-propelled mode that tops out at 3.8 mph (6.1 km/h). Other highlights include a 21-inch steel deck, 8-inch wheels, a 2 hp (1.5 kW / 2 PS) motor, and the ability to mulch or bag grass clippings.

Power is provided by an 8Ah lithium-ion battery, which delivers up to 30 minutes of runtime. That’s not much, but an optional 12Ah battery will increase the runtime to 45 minutes.

The $1,049 HRX-BV ups the ante with larger 9-inch wheels and a 21-inch NeXite deck that “does not dent, rust, or corrode over time.” Glorified plastic aside, buyers will find a Honda Select Drive speed-adjust dial that tops out at 4 mph (6.4 km/h) and a Clip Director knob that allows for “simultaneous mulching and bagging, with a 10-position setting that directs how much grass is bagged or mulched.”

More: Honda’s Autonomous Work Mower Makes Lawncare Easy

If that isn’t fancy enough, you can opt for the similarly named HRX-BE that should begin at $1,299. It largely echoes the HRX-BV, but features an exclusive e-Select Drive system with push buttons.

More importantly, the model has two battery bays and a single 12Ah lithium-ion battery pack. This allows for a runtime of 45 minutes as standard, but a second battery can be added to increase the runtime to 1.5 hours.

Lastly, there’s the HRC-BE which is slated to cost $1,899. That’s riding lawn mower money, but this model is aimed at commercial users and it has cruise control as well as an electronic blade stop system. They’re joined by “heavy-duty reinforced handles, better supports and stays, and more durable cables.”

Buyers will also find a beefier 2.7 hp (2 kW / 2.7 PS) motor, which is said to be comparable to the Honda GCV 200cc internal combustion engine. This model also comes with two battery bays and one standard 12Ah battery.

That brings us to the big downside about electric mowers, long recharging times. All four come with a 2A “overnight charging system,” which can fully replenish the batteries in 4.5 to 6 hours. An 8A rapid charger will also be available as an option and it promises to reduce recharging times by approximately 75%. However, even then, you’re still looking at over an hour to recharge.

Honda is a little behind some of its competitors in the world of battery-electric vehicles, but it’s hard at work on an all-new range of EVs, known as the 0 Series. These models will be inspired by the Saloon concept unveiled at the start of the year and will come equipped with features like artificial sounds, and even vibrations to simulate the feel of driving an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle.

Software is playing an increasingly important role in the world of EVs and will be crucial to help differentiate one EV from another. After all, it’s easier to distinguish between a car with a four-cylinder engine and one with a V10 than it is to make one electric powertrain unique from another.

Honda recently invited members of the press to Japan to test an early 0 Series prototype. During the visit, journalists also had the opportunity to play around with a special version of the Honda e.

Read: Honda Lays Out Ambitious 0 Series EV Plans, Confirms CES 2025 Concept

According to Car & Driver, the Honda e prototype featured a function allowing it to sound like various Honda performance icons, including the S2000, FL5 Civic Type R, NSX Type S, and the original NSX-R. It even had the option of a soundtrack to mimic the Honda Jet as well as two locked options, one of which was for a Honda CRX, and the other was for a Honda-powered Formula 1 car.

The publication noted that the various options didn’t just mimic the respective exhaust notes of these Honda icons, but also used a system to vibrate the driver’s seat. It also changed the digital instrument cluster to show gauges that look just like those of the original car.

Plenty of other EVs feature fake soundtracks aimed at providing some extra excitement. The most obvious example is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N which includes a mode to imitate the snap, crack, and pops of N’s combustion cars. This isn’t the only function that Honda engineers seem to have taken inspiration from.

Like the Hyundai, the Honda e prototype’s paddle shifters—originally designed to adjust brake regeneration—can now be repurposed to shift through simulated gears, adding a layer of engagement to the driving experience. Though the journalists weren’t able to test this feature firsthand, it’s noted that the simulated gearing will vary depending on which car profile is selected, making each option feel more authentic to its real-life counterpart.

As previously mentioned, the sound profiles for the CRX and Formula 1 car were locked during the test. According to the vice president of Honda’s electrification strategy unit, the company is considering whether it can monetize features like these. In other words, Honda is exploring the possibility of selling certain “premium” functions to customers

If there’s one thing Honda seems to understand well, it’s that nostalgia and novelty have always had a price.