Honda’s Most Important Cars Are Getting a Potentially Polarizing New Look

Could these signal the next-gen Honda Accord and Civic and Acura RDX?

Front side view of a silver electric car with sleek LED headlights and black alloy wheels against a dark background.

Add Gear Patrol as a Preferred Source on Google

Published May 15, 2026

·

Updated May 15, 2026

Honda and sister brand Acura recently revealed two new design concepts. Honda calls its version the Hybrid Sedan Prototype, and Acura’s is the Hybrid SUV Prototype.

While they’re pre-production examples, they’re also supposedly design studies. Both potentially preview the visual language for each brand and their next generation of vehicles.

Both automakers are at the point in their strategic lifecycles where they’re preparing to transition into a new generation of automobiles. But given their exterior styling direction, we’re not entirely sold on their appearances.

Picking up the pieces and changing direction

Honda tried pitching its new design direction and electrification strategy with its O Series in 2025.

Honda

Honda and Acura are each in a bit of a pickle. After betting heavily on electric vehicles for the near-future strategy, both companies have been struggling to make a return on their investments.

Like many other automakers who tried to cash in on BEVs, both Honda and Acura cancelled their immediate electric ambitions to refocus on improving internal combustion tech. Now, both carmakers are betting on hybrid power.

Two white futuristic electric cars with sleek designs displayed indoors against a purple gradient backdrop. — After the market spoke and EVs didn’t take off as strongly as anticipated, Honda pulled the plug on the 0 Series.

In addition to the propulsion strategy change, Honda and Acura are also at a key transition point where they roll out a completely new range of vehicles. These two hybrid concepts will likely spearhead the new lineup.

While the two automakers are billing the cars as concepts, they do have a reputation for showcasing near-production-ready vehicles. Put another way, these prototypes could provide a true glimpse into what some next-gen models will look like.

Could this be the next-gen Civic or Accord?

The Honda Hybrid Sedan Prototype is the brand’s pivot back to gas-electric hybrid power.

Honda

Because of this, we wouldn’t be surprised if the Honda Hybrid Sedan Prototype serves as an immediate precursor to the next-gen Civic or Accord. Or, both.

The current eleventh-generation Accord just launched in 2023 and still feels fresh. But it’s actually roughly half-way through its typical series production lifecycle, which is around five to seven years.

Black Honda sedan driving on a sunlit highway with reflections on the windows and roof. — Both the current and previous gen Accords began incorporating fastback designs, which is also used in the latest Hybrid Sedan Prototype.

Meaning, while a twelfth-gen Accord is likely a few years away, the Honda Hybrid Sedan Prototype could still provide early hints as to what we can expect. The same could be said about the Civic, which is likely to be the first in line for a next-gen overhaul.

The current eleventh-gen Civic has been with us since 2021 as a 2022 model-year car. And the Civic tends to last five to six years long before getting a new-gen.

Blue Honda Civic hatchback driving on a city street with tinted windows and black alloy wheels. — The Civic also gained a fastbacks for both the hatch and the sedan.

Additionally, both the Civic and Accord incorporated fastback designs over their past two generations. Thus, it wouldn’t be surprising if the prototype foreshadowed the direction of the next-gen models.

Say hello to what’s likely the next-gen RDX

A long time in the making, this could be the next-gen Acura RDX.

Acura

Another aging model is one of Acura’s best-sellers, the RDX compact SUV. The MDX recently took the superlative title as Acura discontinued the previous RDX just this year due to its age.

Which means a new model should be right around the corner. Acura introduced the third-gen RDX back in 2018 as a 2019 model-year vehicle. It’s most certainly overdue for an update, with the previous models lasting roughly six years.

Red Acura SUV with black roof and dark alloy wheels shown from rear side on a dark background. — The Acura Hybrid SUV Prototype could also signal a next-gen MDX.

Acura did previously mention a new, fourth-gen RDX was on the horizon. All roads point to the Acura Hybrid SUV Prototype as being the forerunner.

Could this be enough to put Honda and Acura back on the map?

White Honda electric sports car driving on a road with dynamic light streaks above. — Honda’s Prelude revival was met with mixed reactions.

It may not seem like it on the surface, but Honda and Acura have been slipping. Even fans are noticing, saying the brands are resting a little too much on their laurels.

As mainstream carmakers in some of the automotive space’s most cutthroat segments, their rivalries have been fierce. And the competition keeps intensifying.

Yellow electric SUV with sleek, angular design and black roof, parked indoors against a dark concrete wall. The vehicle features sharp LED headlights, black wheel arches, and multi-spoke black alloy wheels. — Acura tried pitching this RSX concept in 2025 as the brand’s electrification poster child.

Part of the Honda-Acura allure has always been the eye-catching and logical designs. Some may not have aged well, but others left timeless impressions, such as the third-generation Acura TL and the eighth-generation Honda Accord.

But whether these designs are enough to give the two more of a competitive edge in the coming years has yet to be determined.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.