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Is Honda Secretly Previewing the 2027 Civic Hybrid?

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Since Honda reveled its new “Hybrid Sedan Prototype” a couple of months ago, it seems everyone has been trying to figure out what it is. I myself thought immediately that it was a preview of the next generation Accord. I now believe it is the next Civic.

The concept is basically ready to go. As it looks 100% like a production car. And the Accord is not ready for a new generation yet. But the Civic is. The Accord is rumored to be getting a “substantial facelift for 2027” very soon. That would mean an all-new one is still over 2 years away. Which is logical. The current Civic also came out before the current Accord. In my opinion, the current Civic is probably the worst looking of all Civics, and a new one would be quite welcome, finally. (However, I noticed on may comments on this site that the Prototype’s design seems to be pretty controversial.)

Also, Honda had invited many journalists from around the world last year to drive prototypes of the next-generation Civic platform. Which includes a new more efficient Hybrid system. 

We’ve also heard multiple times that a new generation Honda Civic is indeed coming for the 2027 model year. One that is based on that brand new hybrid platform.

Although the sedan prototype looks pretty large, proportions seem quite similar when you compare it to the current Civic. The prototype also looks lie a fastback and no one knows it we’re looking at a proper hatchback or not. I still think there is a strong possibility of a hatchback here. When Honda showed the Prelude concept, pretty much everyone though the car had a regular trunk. After seeing the concept in the flesh and looking inside the dark windows, I could tell it was a hatchback. As we all know, it is. The Sedan prototype seems th have a very similar set up. 

Which means we could be looking at the new Civic hatchback. Another confusing item is the black cladding at the bottom of the car and around the wheels. Something no Civic or Accord ever had. That would maybe point to AWD. Which would be the first for the Civic. Although back on the 1980’s Honda was offering an AWD Civic wagon. Maybe the car pictured above is an AWD version of the next Civic Hybrid?

My vote goes for a new AWD Civic Hybrid Hatchback.

What do you think it is?

Conversation 8 comments

  2. If one can guestimate the wheel rim and tire size, then one can get close to the wheelbase distance. A 2026 Civic is 107.7 inches and the Accord is 111.4. Going up on the CIVIC’s gets too close the ACCORD’s.

    I can’t see either of them getting smaller.

  3. I’ve always considered this to be the next Civic.
    1. Honda stated that the Civic would be next, and an Accord would be later. Much later.
    2. Honda’s philosophy with the 0Series and general design direction would follow the Thin, Light, Wise description. That hasn’t changed and is why its so hard to tell from proportions on this – What Honda meant was lowered height, lighter vehicles. Lowering the roofline even 1/2 an inch for aerodynamics will make the wheels look larger and skew the length proportion from these CGI images. Personally, I think making the mainstream sedans lower is a flawed marketing approach. Save that for sport or 2dr versions like the Prelude. Sedans are meant to be functional to most people.

  4. its too big to be the next civic…i think its a preview of the “updated” Accord that is to come next year (after the new CIvic arrives) its suposed to take cues from the zero series sedan’s shape, get a new rear end, slimmer grille/new front end and if you think about the strategy honda has been using (showing this car off and then talking about the updated accord the last few months with different automotive magazines/publications like autonews.com) I’m inclined to believe that its the “updated” Accord which one exec said would look ‘like an all new model” Compare the side profile of the “hybrid sedan concept” to the side profile of the current accord and the sillhouettes are similar all the way down to the the fuel door placement. I dont think the next Accord will sit lower, to distinguish it from the Civic it needs to sit higher (for older buyers) and offer more equipment (360 cameras, panoroof, etc) to help it stand out. The CIvic is already selling well and already “right sized” for its class. If this thing is the CIvic, the Accord might as well be a 1978 Deville. This concept is also a sedan, not a hatchback, the Civic is likely still going to offer a traditional sedan and an actual hatchback as they do now.

  6. If you’re saying its too large to be the Civic… look at the second Honda image (red car). Look at the door sizes and the seat’s headrest relative to the rest of the car. Yes, the back end is high and large, but this is Civic sized with raised shoulder lines.

  7. I also thought at first this was the next Accord. But when you compare the to photo with the current Civic, the wheelbase seems very similar. Plus, as stated above, an all-new new Accord design is still years away.

  8. Here’s a doomsday prediction for this SUV-obsessed market, especially with the Civic and Accord so close in size: maybe this car replaces BOTH of them…

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