Honda Revives Acura RDX as a Next-Gen Hybrid
▼ Summary
– Honda will end production of the current Acura RDX this year and its next-generation model will be the brand’s first SUV with a two-motor hybrid system.
– The all-electric Acura RSX, Honda’s first fully homegrown EV, is on track for production in the second half of this year at its Ohio factory, which can build gas, hybrid, and EV models on the same line.
– Honda has canceled the Acura ZDX EV and delayed the Zero series Saloon until 2027, reflecting a broader industry shift toward hybrids as EV demand cools.
– Honda is introducing a new lightweight, towable RV called the Base Station, designed for easy setup and to be pulled by compact crossovers and EVs.
– The company is adjusting its strategy to focus more on hybrid and gas-powered vehicles in response to market demand and policy changes, moving away from a business model structured solely around EVs.
Honda has confirmed a significant shift in its product strategy, announcing that the next-generation Acura RDX will debut as the brand’s first SUV equipped with a two-motor hybrid system. This move comes as the company prepares to halt production of the current RDX model later this year. While development of the new hybrid platform continues, Honda has not provided a specific timeline for the revived model’s market arrival. The current generation, launched in 2018, has seen strong sales with nearly 740,000 units sold in the United States.
This strategic pivot towards hybridization coincides with the ongoing development of Honda’s electric vehicle portfolio. The automaker reaffirmed that production of the all-new, fully electric Acura RSX remains scheduled for the second half of this year. This model is notable as Acura’s first in-house developed EV and will be manufactured at Honda’s Ohio facility, which the company recently acquired full control over from joint venture partner LG Energy Solution. The RSX is promised to deliver performance-oriented features including dual-motor all-wheel drive, a sport-tuned suspension, and high-performance Brembo brakes.
However, Honda’s EV roadmap has encountered some adjustments. The company has already discontinued the Acura ZDX, a model built on a General Motors platform, after only a single year of production. Furthermore, the launch of the Honda Zero Series Saloon has been pushed back to 2027. Industry observers note that these changes reflect a broader market trend where cooling demand for pure electric vehicles, influenced in part by evolving federal incentive structures, is prompting automakers to bolster their hybrid offerings.
Honda executives have openly stated that shifting policies necessitate a more balanced approach. Lance Woelfer, Vice President of Automobile Sales at Honda, explained that the company is now focusing on aligning its portfolio with actual consumer demand for hybrids and traditional gasoline vehicles. This strategy represents a move away from what he described as structuring the business exclusively around “EV mandates,” a term that has entered the political lexicon regarding emissions regulations.
In a separate but parallel innovation effort, Honda is venturing into the recreational vehicle space with a concept called the Base Station. This towable RV prototype emphasizes modern design and practicality, developed by the same team responsible for the Motocompacto electric scooter. Honda criticizes many existing RV designs as outdated and sees a clear opportunity for a more contemporary offering.
The Base Station is engineered to be lightweight, allowing it to be towed by popular vehicles like the Honda CR-V crossover as well as upcoming electric models including the Prologue and Zero Series SUV. It boasts a quick setup process, with a roof that raises to provide seven feet of interior headroom. The design employs a modular architecture, enabling owners to add customized modules for a kitchen, shower, or air conditioning. An exterior programmable light ring aids with campsite setup after dark. With a queen-size bed and an optional bunk, the unit can sleep up to four people, and its compact dimensions are intended to allow storage in a standard residential garage.
(Source: The Verge)
