New Honda and Acura Concepts Preview the Next Civic and RDX
Honda Needs a Shot in the Arm
Honda's EV gamble had ended in disaster. Not only that, the collaboration with Sony is as good as dead. As a result, the Japanese automaker had suffered its first loss in nearly 70 years. The next couple of years will be tough, for sure, but we're pretty sure Honda won't take its current situation lightly.
During the company's recent business update conference, CEO Toshihiro Mibe revealed two concepts that will shape its future. One is called the Honda Hybrid Sedan Prototype, and the other is the Acura Hybrid SUV Prototype. Sure, the names aren't the most imaginative, but they give a sneak peek of what lies ahead.
Honda Hybrid Sedan Prototype
Honda didn't say much about the car other than simply showing it. There was no explanation of which model it previews, nor were any technical specifications mentioned. That said, we reckon this might be a glimpse of what Honda plans for the next-generation Civic.
Should that be the case, we might be looking at a very radical redesign of the compact sedan. The sharp, angular lines and the fastback shape are a massive departure from the current Civic, and if Honda goes for this look, it'll certainly raise some eyebrows. Curiously, it comes with those DOT side markers, hinting at Honda's focus on the North American market.
There's also the possibility that it's the next-generation Accord. In photos, at least, the car looks large, although the modern Civic is bordering on midsize in length. However, it's worth noting that the eleventh-generation Civic is now four years old and is closer to a full model change than the Accord.
Acura Hybrid SUV Concept
Like the Honda, the Acura concept had close to no details mentioned. However, it's easier to predict what next-generation model it could eventually become. Our best guess is that it'll be the fourth-generation RDX, given the model's proportions. At the same time, Acura announced the redesigned crossover will arrive 'in the next couple of years.'
The concept also aligns with the teaser photothe company released earlier this year. The shape of the headlights is identical, and the distinct shoulder line on the quarter panel matches that of the car that was just displayed. Of course, we'd like to see more angles of the crossover, but Honda only provided one photo of each.
When Can We Expect These?
According to Honda, we can see the production versions of these concepts within the next two years.' Looking at the product timelines for Honda and Acura models suggests we're looking at the future Civic and RDX. Two years from now, the eleventh-gen Civic will be seven years old, while the RDX was put on hiatus until the arrival of the all-new model.
Given Honda's current situation, it needs a raft of redesigned models to turn the ship around. Its midsize models will have to hang on for a little longer in their current iterations. However, it appears that Honda will put more effort into fine-tuning its compact offerings.
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This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 5:10 AM.