Honda keeps broad 2027-28 model list under review for Australia

Honda keeps its local options broad

Honda Australia says a broad set of future products remains under consideration for the local market beyond 2026. At the Australian media launch of the Super-One EV, director Robert Thorp told CarExpert the brand was looking at a “whole host of models” for 2027-28, but he would not confirm which vehicles were being assessed. 7NEWS carried the same remarks from that launch coverage, quoting Thorp as saying Honda could not speak to the specific models today and that the fundamentals of its strategy were not changing. ⁷¹

Hybrids stay at the centre of Honda’s plan

Honda’s global business briefing on May 14, 2026 set out a stronger focus on hybrids. Honda said it will reallocate more development and production resources into hybrid models, begin launching next-generation hybrid models in 2027, and bring 15 next-generation hybrid models to market globally by the end of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2030. The company also unveiled the Honda Hybrid Sedan Prototype and Acura Hybrid SUV Prototype, both scheduled to go on sale within the next two years. CarExpert’s coverage of that briefing said Honda is pivoting to hybrid propulsion after cancelling the 0 Series Saloon and SUV and the Acura RSX, while also noting that Honda still plans electric cars mainly for Japan and some other markets and has abandoned its earlier 2040 internal-combustion cutoff target. ³⁵⁷

In its local context, CarExpert said Honda Australia’s strategy remains heavily hybrid-led, with the ZR-V and CR-V ranges now majority e:HEV hybrid models and the Prelude hybrid sports coupe also in showrooms. That sits alongside Thorp’s comments that the brand’s direction is unchanged even as it examines additional models for 2027-28. ⁷

The specific models still in play

One of the clearest EV candidates remains the 0 Series Alpha small SUV. In April, Honda Australia said the surviving 0 Series Alpha was still on its radar after other 0 Series models were cancelled globally, and the later CarExpert report repeated that the Alpha was still a strong chance for the market. That report described the Alpha as a small-to-medium electric SUV likely positioned between the HR-V and ZR-V, with production scheduled in India in 2027 and releases confirmed for Japan and India. ⁶⁷

CarExpert also said a larger hybrid-powered three-row SUV being tested in Asia could be another possibility for Australia. The vehicle was expected to use the Avancier name, with Thai media reports suggesting a debut before the end of 2026 and the possibility of Thai production, which would be relevant because Thailand currently supplies the Accord to Australia. The same report said Honda’s Japanese-market Fit, known locally as Jazz, and the Step Wgn MPV are logical hybrid candidates, although CarExpert noted Honda has repeatedly discouraged hopes of the Jazz returning to Australia and said Chinese-made Hondas, such as the current Odyssey e:HEV sold in Japan, are not on the cards for the local market. ¹⁷

Pricing bases and timing remain separate

Honda Australia’s website makes clear that estimated drive-away pricing is postcode-based and can include metallic or pearlescent paint where applicable, 12 months registration, 12 months compulsory third party insurance, a recommended Honda Centre delivery charge, GST, stamp duty and administration charges. It also says additional cross-border delivery fees and related government charges can apply in some cases, and that Honda Australia may change vehicle pricing at any time. That is a different basis from list pricing, which excludes on-road costs. ²⁴

The local Honda model discussion did not include pricing for the future models under consideration. The only prices mentioned in the CarExpert report were for existing or imminent models, including the Prelude at $65,000 drive-away and the updated CR-V hybrid entry grade at $49,900 drive-away, so those figures should be read as separate local drive-away examples rather than prices for the prospective models discussed above. ⁷²⁴