Honda Is Developing a New Hybrid V-6 Powertrain, and We Know Which Models Will Get It First
Posted by Redeemed_Expert9694@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 80 comments
cough_EE@reddit
If it's not for sedans who cares
Redeemed_Expert9694@reddit (OP)
I think this is a strong step in the right direction. With a Hybrid V6, Honda will finally be able to take the fight to the hybrids from Toyota and Hyundai. Given it's based on a V6 and not a turbo I4, it will probably attract more traditional shoppers as well.
stav_and_nick@reddit
Idk; I mean I love it, I think the sport hybrid thing Acura did was a great idea killed too early (Honda and doing that, name a better duo) but I'm still not convinced
Traditional buyers simply don't like hybrids. It could be the manliest V8 that gets 10,000 miles per gallon with infinite power, but they still won't go for it because it's "too new"
Meanwhile, hybrid buyers love fuel economy, and you can make a ton of power with Honda's hybrid system, so idk
I think Honda just needs to bite the bullet with the main brand and kill off any pure ICE in the Civic (except for Si and type R) and Accord and CRV and HRV, because the hybrid system they have now is objectively better, slotting in hybrid trims in the lower price ranges to compete better with the Corolla and Elantra
Oh, and bring over the Accord and CR-V PHEV; Toyota sells every PHEV Rav4 before it hits the lot and has for nearly 6 years now
External-Chicken2023@reddit
why would they kill off ice only options?
Nomad624@reddit
Traditional buyers don't like hybrids because until very recently, they were highly limited peformance-wise compared to their gas-powered counterparts, and many segments still don't have an option, like the sport sedans and many luxury segments. Hybrids have improved significantly in the past few years and we're at a point where I think you can replace every ICE-auto trans combo with a full hybrid system and no one would bat an eye. As you pointed out, Toyota and honda are selling their hybrids out the wazoo, and in a world where Ferrari and Mclaren sell PHEV's, there's basically no excuse to not do this.
Redeemed_Expert9694@reddit (OP)
Sooner or later, traditional buyers will need to step into hybrids. Because their options will be either that, a PHEV, or an EV, and of the three, hybrids are the most "traditional" and one that isn't turbocharged would probably seem safest for cautious buyers.
I think it's long overdue, since most Accords and CR-Vs sold are already hybrids, and Hyundai and Toyota basically own the three row hybrid segment without any real competition
WendysChiliAndPepsi@reddit
Or just buy something from 10-15 years ago. I just no longer look at new cars anymore. Eventually old cars will run out, but at least for the time being you can still get old N/A V6's and V8's from the japanese manufacturers without all the bullshit tacked on.
JBreezy11@reddit
I like it, but personally, I thought they should have been ready to implement such a powertrain with the new Pilot and new Passport.
Ran4@reddit
I.. what? What "traditional shoppers" are buying a V6 in 2025, for anything other than sports cars?
YD099@reddit
>Hybrid
>V6
It better be 1.6.
And get a turbo as well.
And, makes maybe 1000hp
ArdillasVoladoras@reddit
Refine it and put it in the MDX please. I love mine, but holy hell does it absolutely guzzle gas.
TheReaperSovereign@reddit
It boggles my mind that a car who's primary demographic is (probably) suburban moms doesnt have a hybrid option.
SophistXIII@reddit
I can't think of a demographic that cares less about MPGs.
Ok - maybe the brodozer demographic cares less.
But still. My wife has no clue what MPG her Pilot gets. She just fills it up every couple weeks and the cost is the cost. I am doubtful she even knows it has a v6. But it's white and it has wireless carplay and ventilated seats and a spot for her purse, and that's what she cares about.
If this demographic cared about MPG they would all be driving hybrid Siennas. But all of our friends have little kids and we know exactly 0 Sienna owners. Everyone has some version of a 3 row SUV.
DontBeSuspiciousYo@reddit
Haha I sympathize man...
trail-g62Bim@reddit
I think your wife is much more representative of the general public than anyone posting on a car forum. And it's why mpg standards exist. Otherwise, we'd all still be driving V8s that got 4 miles to the gallon.
TurboSalsa@reddit
Part of it is fuel economy standards, but I'm old enough to remember when gas hit $4/gal in the summer of 2008 and people were stampeding to trade in their V8 Explorers for hybrids, and dealerships couldn't give away Hummer H2s.
People don't usually care that much about fuel economy until gas prices spike.
LessImprovement8580@reddit
This time it could be different. v6 and v8 naturally aspirated engines are becoming a rarity, car prices/loans are expensive and with longer terms. WFH is being utilized for many white color workers.
Point is, relative to total cost of ownership, fuel for the v8 may not be a significant cost compared to total cost of ownership of a more fuel efficient (new) car -> insurance + interest + negative equity from trade. Economy cars seem to have disappeared from the new car market so buying a new car for half the price of an SUV is largely a thing of the past.
I would argue it would take a recession + high fuel prices to encourage owners to trade in their V8s for a fuel efficient car. That's exactly what happened in 2008.
Nomad624@reddit
EVERYONE would like to see a higher MPG number in their car. People don't "care" to the extent that they need to give anything else about their car, like performance or prestige. I'm a 30-something car enthusiast and my Elantra also deletes fuel but I'll appreciate any time I average over 26mpg a tank. I bit the bullet cause I wanted the performance, but I'd trade it in the second I get word of a 1 to 1 hybrid alternative.
Melodic-Temporary113@reddit
It was hard to buy a hybrid Sienna for a long time. I know quite a few people that gave up and bought Odysseys or just something completely different. My one friend that got one had to buy a black/black because that’s all that was coming.
SophistXIII@reddit
That is fair.
Still, I think most minivans are more fuel efficient than their SUV counterparts and yet no one we know is buying them.
Melodic-Temporary113@reddit
They are. And you’re right that it’s weird more people don’t buy them. People purchase for the 5% of times they need AWD, rather than the 95% of time they don’t.
dsonger20@reddit
Its most likely because the PF7 platform, which both the pilot and MDX sit on, does not have a hybrid option. I assume it would be complicated to accommodate the battery and all the entire equipment when the original design didn't intend for it.
I think the main advantage of the Civic was that it was developed worldwide, so it had a Hybrid drivetrain since its release that North America didn't get until 3 years after. So the HA platform was probably designed with that in mind.
I wonder if accommodating a Hybrid system would be easy since the PF7 platform isn't really that old.
NCSUGrad2012@reddit
What’s even weirder is they had that option for a minute and took it away
wayvywayvy@reddit
Nooooo put the V6 back in the Accord!
GatorSe7en@reddit
My wife went from a 4Runner to a MDX, I figured she’d get a little better gas mileage. I was definitely wrong.
Masteguy635@reddit
Hope it comes in the next gen with the Preludes simulated shifting system.
yobo9193@reddit
Makes sense why they haven’t seriously refreshed the Odyssey if they’re waiting for an all new powertrain. Crazy how having a baby makes me genuinely excited for a hybrid Odyssey
chandy_dandy@reddit
I loved the Odyssey my girlfriend's family had when I was a teen/young adult. Best road trip vehicle ever. And it fucking ripped too.
My ideal family car is a solid 100km range PHEV minivan. The form factor has the space for it
Melodic-Temporary113@reddit
Mine is similar, except swap in the k20 turbo four, 6 speed manual from the civic type R. Hondata has one at SEMA right now and it’s just perfect.
thecanadiandriver101@reddit
one million dollars
SkPensFan@reddit
It had better be AWD to give the Sienna some competition.
apogeescintilla@reddit
If this is anything similar to the current hybrid system, I think they will need an extra gears in the direct drive mode.
Efficient_Wash4477@reddit
Why? Just make a similar top speed… so one gear is all you need.
apogeescintilla@reddit
Have you owned one before? Highway mpg is really not good enough. One gear is not enough to cover 45-80mph.
Efficient_Wash4477@reddit
You’re not wrong. I have the 23 Accord Hybrid. For me, it drives great and id be fine if they stayed with 1 gear. However, after your comment I dug into the new powertrain and Honda confirmed it’s going to have 2 gears. Makes sense when I realized how much heavier the cars will be anyway. So, Honda’s engineers and you both agree.
SkellyJelly33@reddit
A hybrid Ridgeline and Odyssey are long overdue. It just makes sense. If it's not too expensive or too ugly I might trade my Maverick in for a hybrid Ridgeline.
willpc14@reddit
I don't know that I'd hold my breath if I were you. The Ridgeline starts at $40k
dsonger20@reddit
Ridgeline pricing is kinda crazy. They start at mid size prices.
SkPensFan@reddit
It's because the Ridgeline is way better at absolutely everything except towing, hauling heavy loads and off-roading, which 98% of people do not do. But if they want to increase volume, they definitely should be trying to lower the price.
dsonger20@reddit
So like… everything people buy a truck for?
SkPensFan@reddit
Haha, if only. Do you live somewhere where trucks are rare? Most of time they are commuter, everyday vehicles. The vast majority of trucks are not regularly used for towing, heavy hauling or off-roading. Axios did a study on it. 63% of F-150 drivers never tow. Only 7% frequently tow.
A Ridgeline can still tow 5000lbs. Tacoma 6500, Ranger and Colorado 7000+. Plenty for hauling toys or yard waste, like most people do a couple times a year to internally justify having a truck.
I am probably extra pissy about it because I get annoyed at friends of mine who constantly complain about gas prices while driving their 1/2 tons as a commuter vehicle because they tow their quads twice a year and camper once a year.
LessImprovement8580@reddit
Let's be real though... The Ridgeline doesn't achieve amazingly better mpg than many 1/2 tons on the market. A hybrid Ridgeline would.
TheDistantEnd@reddit
Most people buy a truck because they want one vehicle that can do it all, or at least do most of it all. A Ridgeline will still do most of what most people would use a truck for, and it's less cramped inside than other midsizes, rides nicer, etc.
SkellyJelly33@reddit
Idk if I would say it does everything better. For me the suspension I the Ridgeline is too soft, the V6 is an inefficient dog when driving around town, and the tech in it is really bad.
Dren7@reddit
Mine is fairly quick. I'd say it's mid 6s 0-60.
SkellyJelly33@reddit
0-60 is fine but most driving around town isn't hitting 60 mph and the V6 feels slowand laborous from a stop to me
Dren7@reddit
If you drive with the eco button on maybe? It certainly isn’t sluggish.
SkellyJelly33@reddit
I test drove last about a month ago after my first Maverick got totaled and it felt pretty sluggish in comparison when doing city/stop and go driving. On the highway and country roads it was fine, but it feels pretty sluggish and heavy in the city to me.
Dren7@reddit
Mine hauls heavy loads just fine, the back squats but it handles it fine. Tows great. I pulled a UPS semi truck out of the mud at my business along with a fork truck that got stuck. Pulls my boat great. I'm not hauling huge loads of cattle around, but I don't need to do that.
Mimical@reddit
Yeah, I went to Honda thinking that I could get a Ridgeline for less than a Taco or ranger and it was more.
Don't get me wrong, it objectively rides nicer than either on the road and the towing is Fine™. But it's not more fuel efficient and it's not saving me money so I'm not really sure where the advantages from them unibody come from.
TurboSalsa@reddit
This is why the Ridgeline is such a slow seller despite everyone on the internet who's never owned a truck proclaiming the it "more than enough truck for 90% of truck buyers."
It rides better, and it's probably easier to park, but you lose a lot of capability for no benefit in terms of price or fuel economy. And it's probably not any easier to park than a Ranger or Taco now that they all have rearview cameras.
Dren7@reddit
It's way more comfortable to me than a Taco. Always thought I'd buy a Taco for my first truck but ended up with a Ridgeline.
TheDistantEnd@reddit
The Ridgeline is a much slower seller, so if you're patient or willing to play the game with the dealership, you can usually get some money knocked off and get a good deal on financing (1-2% being advertised on Honda's website right now.)
SkPensFan@reddit
According to Fuelly, the Ridgeline gets about 10% better economy than the Tacoma. Not a lot, but not nothing either. The ride is infinitely better and they also have much better handling. They are much more comfortable for sure.
peakdecline@reddit
Why wouldn't a mid-size truck start at mid-size truck pricing?
The Ridgeline is a unibody design but it is much larger than a Maverick. It is very firmly in the same size category as the Ranger et al. It's 2" shorter than a Ranger but nearly 3" wider. Its not a small truck.
SkellyJelly33@reddit
Imo none of the mid-sized trucks make a whole lot of sense. The gas mileage isn't much better than a full size, they cost nearly as much as a full size, and they're all less capable and pretty cramped inside compared to full size. Might as well just get a full size at that point. A hybrid Ridgeline that gets decent city MPG would be a different story though.
peakdecline@reddit
I'd argue the price difference is actually fairly significant when you compare like-for-like. $10K-$20K pricing gaps are pretty normal and that's quite a lot of money over in itself and especially over the typical (these days) 72 months financing.
Size differences in itself also bring value. Smaller size or larger size, both are beneficial depending on your perspective and use case.
The mid-size trucks are doing very well in sales overall. Tacoma is on fire sales wise. Colorado is doing great. Ranger is really picking up steam. I think they're "good enough" in a lot of areas like size and capability, while being much more convenient to live with and more affordable.
dsonger20@reddit
It’s still 11k more than the base ranger, and something like 8k more than the XLT. That’s not a small difference lol.
TheDistantEnd@reddit
A Ranger XLT runs 39k-45k sticker at my local dealership depending on options etc. A Ridgeline will run 40-45k at local dealerships sticker, before the current $3k sales credit from Honda, plus .99% APR up to 60mo from Honda.
They are very eager to move Ridgelines because they don't have truck cachet.
Nomad624@reddit
For the love of god Honda, PLEASE put this in an Accord/Civic/Integra or Acura sedan. For FUCK'S sake. The lack of a good hybrid sedan option with over 250hp has been driving me nuts. If a damn land cruiser is allowed to benefit from a hybrid system, why can't a sport sedan???
BioDriver@reddit
Put it in a Civic you cowards!
Windows-XP-Home-NEW@reddit
Accord*
And while they’re at it, redesign the damn thing.
DeviousMelons@reddit
I would love to have a V6 hybrid accord in Europe.
Windows-XP-Home-NEW@reddit
I’d love one in America! Did you guys get the 2.0T?
ComradeVoytek@reddit
Acura RLX 2014 - 2020.
Welcome back old friend.
Windows-XP-Home-NEW@reddit
Nah.
Nzash@reddit
Let's go Prelude.
Windows-XP-Home-NEW@reddit
WOOHOOO!!!
But only by 10%? I feel like the gains would be bigger than that.
Whatever, I’m just happy that the J Series is lasting even longer now that it’s going to be hybridized. Another V6 Honda W.
Mimical@reddit
C&D tested Ridgeline at a 6 second 0-60
So that means you know get a 5.4s 0-60 which, let's be utterly blunt, is absolutely fine.
FWIW, the best part likely isn't even peak power, it's that fact that hybrids can add in a bunch of torque at lower RPMs. Which make the daily usability way better since the vehicle never really needs to hunt for gears.
Windows-XP-Home-NEW@reddit
Oh, I didn’t realize 10% is THAT much. 5.4s is beyond adequate. The fastest Accord they made was running 5.5s.
Ok-Improvement-3670@reddit
Amazing! What will they think of next?
neueziel1@reddit
Sooo new nsx?
allgasnoshit@reddit
Put it in the Accord, you cowards.
yvery@reddit
They already have some V6 hybrid iterations starting from the 2006 accord hybrid and the mdx hybrid I think? It barely saved gas lol
wehttamemsit@reddit
Now that I have two kids, I’ve been waiting for Honda to drop a new hybrid for their bigger vehicles.
HeadOfMax@reddit
Utilitarian pickup smaller than the Ridgeline and a utilitarian city van
Naive_Voice_1548@reddit
How is this really an improvement over the previous MDX Sport Hybrid, which already had 321 hp and a 27 mpg combined rating? The specs seem nearly identical, it feels like they could’ve just revived that older design instead of redesigning it to deliver essentially the same performance.
V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit
Hope they can add some features from J35Y4 in their new V6 hybrid.
Vhozite@reddit
Praying to whatever gods are listening that this comes to the Civic, Integra, or Prelude
DocPhilMcGraw@reddit
I think they need to find a way to get it out by the end of next year instead of waiting til 2027. I just think there’s money they’re leaving on the table by not having a hybrid Odyssey or even Pilot. Toyota is practically making every Sienna they are selling right now and at or above MSRP.