Skip advert
Advertisement
Road tests

New Honda 0 Series prototype review: tech-laden EV shows promise

We can get an early taste of the new all-electric Honda 0 Series saloon ahead of its official arrival

Verdict

Our brief drive in Honda’s future electric car shows it has real promise. But we’ll have to wait and see if its smorgasbord of technology will help the brand stand out as it looks to finally gain a foothold in the all-electric market. 

While we’re a few years off the first Honda 0 Series Saloon arriving, we had an early taste of what to expect at Honda’s Tochigi test track. While the car we drove might look like the current-generation Accord (a nameplate we’ve not seen in the UK since 2015), underneath it has the two electric motors and battery from the upcoming 0 Series. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

In order to accommodate the chassis from the 0 Series Saloon, the wheelarches have been widened, while inside the dash layout has been revised to display the electric powertrain’s status – although we’re told the production car will feature a similar Google-based infotainment system to the current Accord’s. 

What’s immediately apparent is that the 0 Series rides exceptionally well. Our prototype had air suspension, but we’re told the production car will have the option of coil springs as well. A couple of speed bumps dotted around the track were dispatched with ease. Steer-by-wire will also feature on the 0 Series, although sadly our car had the standard set-up from the Accord.

The 0 Series will come with a selection of electric motor combinations. There’s an all-wheel-drive version with two 241bhp electric motors (one on each axle), another all-wheel-drive model with a less powerful 67bhp on the front axle, and a rear-wheel-drive variant with a single 241bhp electric motor. There are even plans for a hybrid model with that smaller electric motor on the rear axle. 

The car we drove is the most potent dual-motor version, which we’re told has close to 480bhp. It certainly felt that powerful on the straights and the response was immediate as you’d expect from an EV, but it was all delivered in a smooth, refined manner. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Senior news reporter

A keen petrol-head, Alastair Crooks has a degree in journalism and worked as a car salesman for a variety of manufacturers before joining Auto Express in Spring 2019 as a Content Editor. Now, as our senior news reporter, his daily duties involve tracking down the latest news and writing reviews.

New & used car deals

Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,515Avg. savings £3,834 off RRP*Used from £7,711
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,405Avg. savings £2,749 off RRP*Used from £13,197
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £37,870Avg. savings £2,955 off RRP*
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,135Avg. savings £5,771 off RRP*Used from £13,600
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia vRS Estate is practical, hot-hatch quick and only £284 per month
Skoda Octavia vRS estate - front tracking

Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia vRS Estate is practical, hot-hatch quick and only £284 per month

Our Deal of the Day for 26 January offers space for all the family and loads of power for when you’re not on the school run
News
26 Jan 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Near-50mpg Hyundai Tucson Hybrid for £232 per month
New Hyundai Tucson hybrid - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Near-50mpg Hyundai Tucson Hybrid for £232 per month

Hyundai’s smart-looking family SUV is frugal to run, but needn’t cost much to buy either with this Deal of the Day for 25 January
News
25 Jan 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Cupra Tavascan offers style and performance for £296 a month
Cupra Tavascan - front tracking

Car Deal of the Day: Cupra Tavascan offers style and performance for £296 a month

The Tavascan coupé-SUV really stands out thanks to its distinctive design. It’s our Deal of the Day for 24 January
News
24 Jan 2025