Honda Shows Off Its Radical New SUV In Public For The First Time

Back in January, Honda confirmed its radical 0 Series sedan and SUV would go into production around 2026, offering a dramatic squared-off look with all-electric powertrains and new technologies. Now, we’ve gotten a better look at a production-close prototype of the Honda 0 SUV, with Formula 1 superstars Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda in the front seats ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend.

The new Honda 0 SUV will debut around 2026 with a new single onboard computer developed by Renesas Electronics Corporation that is said to control everything in the car. The operating system is dubbed “ASIMO,” in reference to the adorable Honda robot from years ago.

The SUV is also anticipated to eventually be offered with Level 3 hands-free driving and will utilize over-the-air updates and drive-by-wire systems in a high-tech package. It’s anticipated to be around the size, or a little bigger, than the current Honda CR-V or Prologue SUVs.

Honda Is Making The Most Of Its Connection To F1 Now

Images released this week from a Red Bull Racing Formula 1 event show a purple and pink camouflaged prototype of the new 0 SUV in Tokyo being driven by the team’s F1 drivers.

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Honda currently provides engines to the Red Bull Racing F1 cars (Ford will take over next year), hence the connection here, but it will soon be working with the Aston Martin F1 team, and such collaborations will be less likely.

What Has Changed With The New 0 Series SUV Prototype

This new prototype features the same gloss back lower detailing as the concept vehicle, which surrounds the wheels, lower cladding, and lower fascia. On the fascia, there’s now a lower grille opening, with side ducting for airflow to the wheels or brakes as well.

We also see what’s likely production-close headlight units, which keep the upper DRL signature of the concept in a grid pattern, but we can also now clearly see the heavier beam units in the lower section of the light. The lights flank a very flat nose with the newly redesigned Honda badge in the center.

The back end keeps that very pronounced squared-off rear hump, which gives the roofline in profile a very strong curve with a clean rear edge. The rear hatch opening appears to be very square as well, flanked by vertical-running taillights with a center third light unit at the top.

We can’t imagine rear visibility would be great without camera assistance, given those massive side panels over the rear cargo area, and the tiny rear glass that could just be partially covered by this camo wrap. The prototype is riding on 20-inch wheels, which sport a new design.

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We don’t get a good look at the interior beyond the driver, copilot, and the headrests based on the images provided. Previews of the Honda 0 SUV concept from earlier this year revealed a minimalist dashboard covered almost completely in screen real estate, flanked by digital rear-view mirrors, with a yoke-style steering wheel with two side stalks, and very sculpted seating.

Expect to see a full reveal sometime before the end of this year.