Honda’s next all-electric model is coming in 2023.
The company’s UK boss, Jean-Marc Streng, confirmed the launch plans to Auto Express.
He didn’t, however, confirm what shape it’ll take, though the UK outlet understands it’ll be a crossover slightly smaller than the redesigned HR-V.
Honda revealed a concept called the SUV e:concept at the 2020 Beijing motor show, following it up with a prototype at this year’s Shanghai show that bears a close resemblance to the upcoming HR-V.
2020 SUV e:concept 
2021 SUV e:prototype
Streng would only confirm the new EV will “be an offer in the right segment, which will achieve more sales”.
It’s unclear if this model will be offered in Australia.
The company’s engineering bosses previously told Auto Express the Honda E would be followed up with a small EV crossover sharing its platform.
This model is separate to another electric Honda crossover due in 2023: the Prologue, developed for North America and based on General Motors’ Ultium platform.
Given the size of other vehicles on Ultium, this will likely be a larger model. It seems unlikely the Prologue, as well as an Acura based on the same platform, will be offered outside of North America.
The small crossover confirmed for Europe may use a larger battery than the 35.5kWh unit in the E hatchback, which affords the car a claimed 220km of electric range.
The Honda E uses a rear-mounted electric motor with either 100kW or 113kW of power, along with 315Nm of torque.
Though it’ll be larger and more powerful, the new small EV SUV should feature a similarly futuristic interior to the E, with dual 12.3-inch displays and 6.0-inch monitors on either end of the dashboard that projects footage from the blind-spot cameras.
The Honda E is off to a solid start in Europe, with Streng confirming more than 85 per cent of E buyers have come from another brand. The average age of a Honda buyer has also dropped by four years since 2019.
It remains unconfirmed for Australia, though Honda Australia has previously said it wants it and its switch to an agency sales model now opens the door for the local division to source more vehicles from Japan. The current line-up is predominantly Thai-sourced.
In addition to expanding its EV line-up with the new small SUV and the new Ultium-based SUV, Honda is also expanding its range of hybrid models.
These include hybrid versions of the redesigned HR-V and Civic. The Civic e:HEV is due here in 2022 and, while the HR-V e:HEV has yet to be officially confirmed, Honda Australia has previously said it will introduce electrified versions of new-generation products.
