Honda’s crossovers getting a redesign

Honda is at the front end of a major overhaul of its crossover lineup. At the same time, the brand is expected to launch additional hybrid versions of its existing vehicles and add its first mainstream battery-electric crossover in 2024.

Honda vehicles coming to the end of their current design lifecycles include the HR-V subcompact crossover, which is in its first generation from the 2016 model year, as well as the CR-V compact crossover and the Passport and Pilot midsize crossovers. The marque’s passenger cars are relatively fresh. The Civic compact was redesigned in both its sedan and hatchback versions this year, and the Accord midsize was freshened for the 2021 model year. Honda discontinued the Fit subcompact hatchback and the Civic coupe last year.

Civic: One of America’s favorite entry-level cars for decades, the sedan was redesigned as a 2022 model and is on sale now. The 11th generation of the hatchback will also go on sale this year.

Some trims of the hatch will offer a manual transmission. The hot-hatch Si sedan, which comes with only a six-speed manual transmission, should be in showrooms by year end. The Civic Type R, an even hotter Honda hatch, has been spotted in spy photos and should be ready by next year. A freshen to the new-gen Civic should come in 2024 with a redesign in 2026.

Insight: Honda sells what is essentially a Honda Civic hybrid as the sedan-only Insight, based on the 10th-generation Civic platform. The Insight carries over for the 2022 model year after the third generation was introduced for the 2019 model year. The pleasant and surprisingly quick Insight received some enhancements last year, including mirror-based blind spot warning in place of Honda’s camera-based LaneWatch system. Europe will get a hybrid-only Civic based on the 11th-generation platform next year, and that move could indicate a plan to replace the Insight for the U.S. market in 2023.

Clarity: Honda has discontinued the production of the Clarity plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell sedans after the 2021 model year. Last year, it discontinued production of the Clarity battery-electric model.

Accord: The 10th generation of the Accord carries over for 2022 after a freshen for the 2021 model year, which included styling updates and additional features. The hybrid powertrain was updated for more immediate throttle response. A redesign should come in 2022 with a freshen in 2025.

HR-V: With the Fit hatchback discontinued, the HR-V serves as the brand’s entry-level vehicle, and it’s still in its first generation from the 2016 model year. Honda has already revealed the European version, called the Vezel, which will be sold as a hybrid only starting this year. The U.S. version will be larger, styled differently and might come with a hybrid version. The new-gen HR-V should go on sale in 2022 with a freshen in 2025.

CR-V: Spy photos of the sixth generation of the CR-V are making the rounds, revealing sharp angles and a less rounded shape. It appears to be bigger, which would be a logical move since the next-generation HR-V is getting bigger. With the interior of the redesigned Civic marking a new styling language for Honda, the simplified look should make it into the CR-V, including the metal honeycomb dashboard strip. The CR-V is expected to go on sale in 2022.

Prologue: The battery-powered Honda cross- over being developed with General Motors will go on sale in early 2024, Honda has said. It will use GM’s Ultium EV platform and battery technology, but Honda will design the exterior and interior. Little else is known about the Prologue. It’s likely to be compact, since competitors such as Volkswagen, Ford and Hyundai are targeting that segment for mainstream EVs.

In the second half of the decade, Honda will develop more EVs on its own platform, but the company has not revealed any details on those plans.

Passport: The two-row version of Honda’s midsize crossover, which is based on the three-row Pilot, is due for a redesign along with its larger sibling. The automaker has said the two crossovers will get more rugged styling compared with the softer look of the current models. The Passport redesign will likely go on sale in 2022.

Pilot: Honda’s flagship crossover has been spied while testing and appears to look like a more rugged SUV. It should include elements from the recently freshened Ridgeline pickup, with its flatter hood and square angles. The redesigned Pilot is expected to go on sale in 2022.

Odyssey: Honda’s minivan was freshened for the 2021 model year with some mild exterior styling updates and some added interior features. A redesign should come in 2023.

Ridgeline: The midsize pickup was freshened in early 2021 with new sheet metal for the front end, along with a flatter hood, squared nose and upright grille. The Ridgeline was revived for a second generation for the 2017 model year. A redesign should come in 2024.