Honda starts EV journey, regains market share

Honda is enjoying strong growth and improved market share this year.

After struggling to get product to dealership lots following the postpandemic microchip shortage that hurt Honda worse than most, the Japanese automaker is operating with healthy inventory levels. It expects to end 2024 with sales between 1.2 million and 1.3 million vehicles, up from 1.16 million last year.

Through July, Honda sales rose 12 percent to 735,817, outpacing the market. Market share through the first seven months advanced to 8 percent compared with 7.3 percent during the same period last year.

Despite criticism for being late to the party on electric vehicles, its big bet on hybrids is paying off as rival automakers walk back aggressive EV expansion plans because of development delays and infrastructure challenges.

The addition of hybrid variants to high-volume models, including the Accord, CR-V and Civic, are helping drive sales. Sales of the Accord and CR-V hybrids accounted for about half the models' volume, and a Civic hybrid, arriving now in both sedan and hatchback forms, is expected to achieve 40 percent of that model's total sales.

While Honda waits for completion of its $4.4 billion electric vehicle and battery hub in Ohio to churn out EVs based on its own in-house platform, its first new-era EV, the Prologue, went on sale in April. The midsize electric crossover was designed by Honda but relies on General Motors' Ultium battery-electric platform and is built at the Detroit automaker's factory in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico. The Prologue is one of 13 electric vehicles eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit.

Like its name suggests, the Prologue represents the start of Honda's EV rollout. Honda will start filling out its lineup with EVs in 2026 to transition to full electrics and fuel cell vehicles from gasoline by 2040.

Electric multipurpose vehicle: An electric MPV based on the Space-Hub concept Honda revealed at CES in January could arrive in 2028. Part of the 0 Series line of EVs, the Space-Hub concept looked like a van and promised flexible interior space to accommodate a variety of passengers.

Three-row electric crossover: A Pilot-size EV based on Honda's e:Architecture platform is expected in 2027. It will follow Acura's three-row EV expected in late 2026.

Prologue: Honda's first new-era electric vehicle, the Prologue, went on sale in April. The Prologue is a collaboration between Honda and GM. It uses the Ultium battery-electric platform and is built by GM. It has a low roof with clean lines and a boxy silhouette — a sporty aesthetic Honda calls "neo-rugged." The Prologue carries an 85-kilowatt-hour battery and has a 300-mile range when configured with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available. The Prologue will have a one-generation life cycle until it's retired early in the next decade. A freshen in 2027 is likely.

Compact electric crossover: A CR-V-size EV based on Honda's in-house e:Architecture platform is expected in mid-2026. It will follow Acura's compact electric crossover expected in early 2026.

Sony-Honda Afeela electric sedan: An electric sedan from new brand Afeela by the Sony-Honda joint venture is expected in mid-2026. The concept has been on display at venues across the U.S., including Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles, but no model name or distribution plan has been specified. The Afeela EV will be based on Honda's e:Architecture platform and assembled at one of its plants in Ohio. The EV features a neutral design and is loaded with infotainment and convenience tech. It also is expected to offer near-Level 3 self-driving capabilities.

0 Series electric sedan: A midsize electric sedan based on Honda's e:Architecture platform will likely be the first EV from the 0 Series announced this year at CES. The Saloon concept on which the EV will be based is a futuristic, low-slung sedan with a wagon-like silhouette and rectangular, screenesque front end. Honda said it plans to start manufacturing the production version in the U.S. in 2026. It's expected to go on sale in early 2027.

Ridgeline: Honda's lone pickup, the unibody Ridgeline, underwent a freshening last year for the 2024 model year. It added a more capable TrailSport variant with retuned suspension and all-terrain tires, an underbody skid plate and exclusive styling cues. All Ridgelines were updated with a gray front skid garnish to match a new 18-inch wheel design; gloss black accents on the grille, mirrors and door trim; and new Ridgeline badging splayed across the liftgate. The current generation of the Ridgeline could end in 2027. It's unclear whether Honda will keep the pickup in its portfolio.

Pilot: The fourth generation of Honda's kid hauler carries over unchanged for the 2025 model year except for a new Black Edition with exclusive blacked-out style enhancements. It's due for a freshen in the second half of 2025. A redesign is unlikely because it's expected to be replaced by the three-row EV. It's unclear, however, whether the Pilot badge will be repurposed for the EV. The current generation Pilot will continue until the end of the decade.

Passport: Honda increased the capability of the Passport's TrailSport variant for the 2024 model year with retuned suspension that enables both increased articulation and improved off-road ride quality. It also replaced the top Elite trim with the Black Edition, which has exclusive styling with black accents inside and out and distinct badging. A redesigned Passport will arrive in early 2025. A hybrid variant could join the lineup. The current generation will likely continue through the end of the decade.

CR-V: The sixth generation of Honda's CR-V carries over unchanged for 2025. A fuel cell variant, the CR-V e:FCEV, went on sale this year. It's a low volume vehicle only available for lease in California where there is a small hydrogen infrastructure. The compact electric crossover that arrives in 2026 could replace the CR-V gasoline and hybrid variants. The current generation of CR-V will likely see a minor freshening in 2025 and continue until 2027. The CR-V e:FCEV will continue through the end of the decade.

HR-V: The HR-V carries over unchanged for the 2025 model year. A minor freshening is expected in the second half of 2025. It's unclear whether Honda will replace its smallest crossover with an EV when the current generation ends in 2028.

Odyssey: Honda's Odyssey was freshened for the 2025 model year and arrived at the end of July. It has a reshaped front with a sportier grille and larger black fog light surrounds as well as a redesigned rear bumper and new wheels for every trim. Honda could end production of the Odyssey in 2026 and replace it with the production version of the Space-Hub concept it showed at CES, though that is not due to arrive until 2028.

Accord: Honda's midsize sedan carries over unchanged for the 2025 model year. A freshening in the spring of 2025 is likely. At that time, Honda will move Accord production from Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio to Indiana Auto Plant in Greensburg, Ind., where it builds the Civic hatchback and CR-V. The current generation of the Accord will run until the end of the decade.

Civic: Honda freshened its Civic sedan and hatchback for the 2025 model year with new front-end styling, darker taillights and an upgraded interior. Two 200-hp hybrid variants — the Sport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid — also joined the lineup. The Civic hybrid is available in both sedan and hatchback form. The sedan went on sale in June, and the hatchback will follow this year. Honda also updated its entry performance 2025 Civic Si with a more aggressive front fascia and new grille, darker taillights and matte black 18-inch wheels. It also got some performance enhancements such as a hidden front spoiler and a gloss black spoiler on the trunk lid, as well as lower B-pillars and rear door sills for increased torsional and bending rigidity. Retuned suspension dampers increased body stiffness. It went on sale in August. The next-gen Civic is expected in late 2027 or early 2028.

Prelude: Honda will bring back its sporty Prelude in late 2025 for the 2026 model year. It will be based on the Prelude Concept unveiled in late 2023 at the Japan Mobility Show. The production version is expected to be a Civic-like hybrid coupe and will be imported from Japan.