Honda is setting its sights on efficient large hybrid vehicles for the future.
2026 Honda Prelude Hybrid Review
When Honda brought back the Prelude name, there were high expectations. However, the new hybrid is not fully functional.
- Honda produces fewer hybrid vehicles for North America than some rivals.
- Japanese automakers are planning to increase production of large hybrid vehicles globally.
Some of the most popular nameplates in the auto industry are hybridized.
From the Toyota Camry to the Honda Civic, car buyers can choose from a variety of fuel-efficient models. What if your lifestyle calls for a large hybrid vehicle, such as a midsize or full-size SUV?
Japanese automaker Honda plans to make its large hybrid vehicles far more efficient than their gasoline equivalents. Here’s what this means for Honda fans and car buyers.
Honda’s large hybrid has improved efficiency, according to the popular Japanese brand
Hybrid cars could be a game-changer for drivers looking to save money on fuel and reduce their carbon footprint, but larger hybrids have a long way to go. With the exception of a few outliers like the Toyota Sienna, most large hybrid trucks, SUVs, and minivans still have substandard fuel economy compared to lighter vehicles.
Honda says it hopes to improve the fuel efficiency of its next-generation large hybrid vehicles by “more than 30% compared to internal combustion engine vehicles sold in the same segment.” This is a bold aspiration, as it means large hybrid models will be significantly more efficient than their gasoline counterparts. Today’s reality is that large hybrid models only get a few more miles per gallon than their gasoline equivalents (in most cases).
Honda’s Passport midsize SUV is one of the company’s largest SUVs for the U.S., getting 19 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway. If Honda is successful, a hybrid version of the Passport-sized SUV could get about 24 miles per gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon on the highway. These efficiency gains will significantly improve fuel economy numbers for Honda’s heavy-duty gasoline trucks, SUVs, and minivans.
Honda’s careful approach to hybridization
Unlike its major competitors, Honda isn’t the first to electrify its U.S. portfolio. Automakers such as Toyota have taken a more steady and consistent approach, introducing several hybrid-specific nameplates.
Although Honda was successful in terms of sales, it lagged behind with its electric SUV Prologue. As for hybrids, the HR-V, Passport, Pilot, Ridgeline, and Odyssey remain gasoline-only models. The Civic (latest hybrid), Accord, and CR-V all benefit from hybrid powertrain options.
Toyota has a whopping 15 hybrid options in its portfolio, including medium- and full-size trucks and SUVs. Some of these large hybrids are not equipped with typical gasoline powertrains, which may indicate market demand. Popular automakers like Hyundai, Kia, and Lexus offer several hybrid SUV nameplates for the American market. According to Honda’s recent announcements, the company is trying to catch up with the times.
Large SUVs and minivans are no longer powered solely by gas.
Gone are the days of huge SUVs and minivans with only huge gas-guzzling engines. The Kia Sorento Hybrid is a three-row midsize hybrid SUV with an impressive fuel economy of 36 miles per gallon. Its close relative, the Hyundai Santa Fe midsize hybrid SUV, also gets 36 miles per gallon combined.
Toyota’s Grand Highlander Hybrid 3-row midsize hybrid SUV is also a family SUV with impressive fuel economy for its size (36 miles per gallon). Large vehicles like the Toyota Sequoia and Toyota Sienna minivan prove that any vehicle can benefit from a hybrid powertrain.
