While not all automakers are confident that passenger cars will survive the continuous attacks from the crossover, SUV, and truck departments, some companies still plan to develop new sedans and the like.
For example, the American mid-size saloon sector is still alive and not exactly on the list of endangered species. Toyota – the incontestable leader – has just presented the next evolution of the 2025 Camry at the Los Angeles Auto Show alongside the Crown Signia crossover SUV and is soldiering on with the model as an exclusive hybrid-only option.
There are also potential rivals that will get to see the light of day for the 2025MY, too – like Chevrolet's mega-affordable $25k Malibu or the traditional Honda Accord competitor. For the 2024 model year, the latter has a starting price of almost $28k and comes with a 192-hp turbo 1.5-liter mill. Interestingly, there are even more trim variations based on the Accord Hybrid, which has 204 ponies and better fuel economy – plus a flagship Accord Touring Hybrid trim starting at $38,540.
But is that enough to fight the competition? Well, the rumor mill believes that Honda needs to move fast and prepare a sensible upgrade for the 2025 model year to stay ahead of the curve. Naturally, the imaginative realm of digital car content creators seconds that and has prepared the unofficial visions of how the Accord Hybrid and Touring models might look like.
As such, the good folks from the Real Automotive and AutomagzPro channels on YouTube have some AI-assisted CGI thoughts about the evolution of the Honda Accord Hybrid and Touring, complete with subtle or outspoken ideas for their respective (and highly unofficial) design projects.
For starters, the resident pixel master from AutomagzPro tries to seamlessly flow with the Japanese automaker's OEM work done for the eleventh generation. He also brings subtle upgrades to make it a proper facelift – a trio of AI-assisted takes on the front LEDs and even a couple of subtle reworks of the full-width LED taillights, making the Accord Hybrid appear more contemporary and less prone to 'granny' status.
On the other hand, the CGI expert from Real Automotive would love to strike thunder and lightning at the heart of the competition by presenting a wholly redesigned Accord Touring – which is probably the last thing Honda would dare to do nowadays. Still, it's pretty lovely to imagine that the old-school Accord would have the audacity to revamp its appearance completely so quickly after introducing an all-new iteration. So, which is your favorite?
By the way, as far as the powertrains are concerned, Honda needs to do something about the Accord Hybrid – and pretty soon – because 204 hp doesn't compare favorably with the 2025 Camry's new ratings of 225 hp on front-wheel drive models and 232 hp for AWD variants, 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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