The Japanese automaker Honda is nowhere near as prolific as its main competitor, Toyota, but that doesn't mean it lacks a serious fanbase in America.
The carmaker just announced that its Honda Performance Development has become Honda Racing Corporation USA to better reflect its role in the company's global racing efforts, for example. They also opened the initial reservations for the Acura ZDX all-electric performance SUV and its ZDX Type S derivative, the most potent Acura SUV ever.
Meanwhile, the 2024 Honda Ridgeline is now arriving at nationwide dealerships with the new Ridgeline TrailSport trim, and early next year, the brand will introduce us to an all-new global EV series at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 9. These are small tidbits from Honda's daily business in the United States, and it's thus no wonder that the division keeps posting robust auto sales and maintains strong delivery momentum.
But the latter needs a lot of support, right? And fans eagerly await what's next in line from Honda – including the upcoming Civic Hybrid that will battle the Toyota Corolla Hybrid. Speaking of Honda versus Toyota, some folks also think that Honda should have an electrified response at the top of the range, as well. So, along with the upcoming Civic Hybrid and the existing Accord and CR-V Hybrid, a lot of folks hope the next electrified model will be the mid-size Pilot three-row crossover SUV.
The company's largest CUV was originally introduced in 2002 and is primarily aimed at the North American market – hence its current manufacturing location in Lincoln, Alabama. A sibling of the older Honda Passport, the fourth generation Pilot was introduced in late 2022, but it couldn't enjoy the US market too much because this year, Toyota brought to life the first-ever Grand Highlander CUV as a direct competitor. In return, Honda keeps the 2024 Pilot as the sensible choice – given its $37,090 starting MSRP as opposed to Toyota's 2024 Grand Highlander kicking off at over $43k. Instead, Toyota boasts the Grand Highlander Hybrid, which costs $44,670 and has an electrified 2.5-liter four-pot and 243 horsepower. So, Honda's Pilot is more affordable than the Grand Highlander, but the latter has the advantage of a hybrid powertrain.
Well, that is not going to last long if we are to trust the imaginative realm of digital car content creators. More precisely, the good folks from the AutomagzPro channel on YouTube have some AI-assisted CGI thoughts about an all-new variant for the mid-size Pilot crossover SUV. Their unofficial presentation of the 2025 Honda Pilot Hybrid comes with design novelties, too – and the resident pixel master even presents two different styles for the potential crossover SUV. As for the powertrain, it would be logical to assume the Pilot Hybrid could borrow the setup from the Accord Hybrid – perhaps with a little more oomph, right?
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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