Honda Acty Reviews

Honda says it wants to grow its sales by nearly 50 per cent in Australia despite its local boss saying “business as usual” is dead in our market’s extremely competitive environment. The brand’s CEO Jay Joseph told CarsGuide Honda plans to hit 20,000 units a year, declaring that is a “healthier place” for the brand to be in the long run. Honda sold 15,383 units in Australia in 2025. Joseph earmarked an evolved product portfolio as an opportunity to grow sales, as the brand had done with its recently-launched Super One city hatchback, which he added had exceeded expectations. Honda has expanded its line-up recently by re-introducing the Prelude sports car, after spending years with a largely SUV-only line-up of the HR-V, ZR-V and CR-V alongside the expensive Civic hatch and Accord sedan. In the future, this expanding line-up may include next-generation products from America, with Joseph earmarking Honda’s next-generation large vehicle platform which underpins the Ridgeline ute and Pilot SUV as possibly being built in right-hand drive. Ironically given the changing market, this may also mean sourcing cars from Honda’s Chinese joint venture, which the company recently re-committed to at a global level. “When I say ‘scan the globe’ I really mean scan the globe,” he said of sourcing Hondas from China, “the economics of that are of course a little different, because for every car maker, except Tesla, the products which come out of China are developed with a joint-venture partner and the best we could do is reap half the profits of that, so we have to be careful about it.” His comments are in stark contrast to some brands that have been far faster to accept Chinese joint-venture models into their line-ups, such as Mazda (6e, CX-6e), Kia (EV5) and Nissan (Navara Pro PHEV). “They start off with a disadvantage, but I would never say never either,” continued Joseph. “If we have the opportunity to bring the right product, which meets customer’s needs, we’d certainly consider it.” “We’ve already done it in Japan, the new Honda Insight is China-sourced, so we’re not opposed to it as a company.” Other automakers turning to Chinese-built low-emissions vehicles is no accident. In the case of Nissan and Mazda in particular, there is an urgent need to bring down their emissions footprint thanks to Australia’s recently implemented New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES). It’s proving prohibitively expensive to solve with models built in Japan or South East Asia where emissions laws are comparatively lax. It also exposes a glaring hole in Honda Australia’s current line-up, a fully electric mid-size SUV, which could only be filled by the Chinese-built Honda P7. The P7, which is built alongside joint-venture partner GAC, has struggled for market share in China, with some speculating the tie-up wouldn’t be renewed past its expiry date. Honda re-committed to the deal earlier this year. It also partners with Dongfeng on the similar S7, as well as the more mainstream and affordable e:NS2 crossover. Honda’s own in-house plans also feature electric vehicles too, despite its widely-reported cancellation of three new models, which were planned for a US market entry. The brand said its Alpha 0 concept, which adopts the company’s “Thin, Light, and Wise” design philosophy would still go to production, with the concept appearing as a small SUV and electric alternative to the current HR-V. Interestingly it will be built in India (a fellow right-hand drive market) and exported for a global audience to keep costs low. The new model is expected to be revealed early next year. Joseph also earmarked the CR-V in particular as a model he thinks should be performing better in the sales charts. “For the life of me I can’t understand how that isn’t a top-10 vehicle in its segment,” he said. “The product is absolutely as good if not better than the competition so there has to be something else. We’ve got to tell more people about it. We’ve got to win that upper funnel of awareness and consideration better than we have been. “Because, we convert really well. Every Honda dealer tells me the same thing: Once we get buyers into a test-drive, we win. Once they drive the Honda, they like it better, but it’s a matter of getting them into that test drive.”

A new family SUV from Honda could be headed to Aussie shores. Honda Australia has just teased the Avancier, which is a hybrid large three-row SUV.  While the local branch has not officially confirmed its arrival in showrooms, the announcement is a strong indication that it will.  The Avancier would provide competition for other hybrid three-row SUVs the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento and Toyota Kluger. It’s expected to be revealed globally in the coming days, but CarsGuide has contacted Honda Australia to find out about the car’s local future.  Honda has revealed limited details on the Avancier, with more information likely to be forthcoming at its official announcement.  The Avancier is a globally targeted model that will feature the brand’s next-generation hybrid technology.  Production on the car is rumoured to begin in early 2027 in Thailand and China, with sales to begin soon after.  Honda will fit the Avancier with three rows of seats, as it targets family buyers. Honda Australia said the Avancier will feature the brand’s new design direction, emphasising "elegant and progressive styling with innovative technology."  It said the car has a bold silhouette, distinctive lighting signature and a confident presence.  Honda Australia has not officially confirmed the Avancier for local launch just yet, but there are strong signs it will arrive. The car will be built in Thailand, which is another right-hand drive market, while importing the Avancier is also more viable because Thailand is relatively close to Australia. The brand will reveal more details in due course.  The Avancier would provide Honda with a dedicated large seven-seater SUV choice in Australia - a segment it currently doesn’t compete in.  Its hybrid status could also provide relief from potential fines under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).  Pricing remains a while away for the Avancier, but buyers can expect it to be more expensive than the seven-seater CR-V ($54,900, drive-away).  It would also need to be competitive with the Kia Sorento ($51,630) and Toyota Kluger ($62,410), both before on-road costs. 

Honda Australia is aware of the ongoing demand for its Rigeline ute, which is currently only built in left-hand drive for markets like the USA. With a new-generation version confirmed to be the works, the CEO of Honda Australia, Jay Joseph, told CarsGuide how the local division was putting its hand up for right-hand drive development early in the process in order to increase its chances of an Australian debut. “There hasn’t been a dealer visit yet anywhere where that didn’t come up,” he said. “The best time to think about homologating a vehicle for right-hand drive is at the inception of design,” he explained. “It’s something we’re looking at and we’re in conversations about. Where that will lead, I can't say for now. It takes time, and we’ve got to do the math and it has to make sense.” Joseph, who spent much of his career working on Honda’s North American business and spent significant time in Japan understanding the company’s global footprint, was also upfront about the challenges facing the sought-after Ridgeline badge for our market. “There has to be sufficient volume, so it can’t be dependent on Australia alone. There would have to be enough right-hand drive markets raising their hands with similar development needs. “The key factor in that is when we look across all of the certification items, is there enough compatibility that we’re not doubling down on development? If we can keep that pretty simple, then it has a chance.” The Ridgeline, which has existed since 2005 and is currently in its second-generation, doesn’t ride on a ladder frame like rival dual-cabs. Instead, it sits on a large vehicle monocoque platform, which also underpins other US-developed left-hand drive vehicles, including the Pilot and Passport. “These vehicles have a much more capable rear differential some really cool features which we haven’t brought to market yet, using forward radar for some really interesting things when off-roading,” Joseph said. He said Honda had been holding these more rugged models from our market for some time. “Moving a steering wheel from one side to another in a unibody construction vehicle is a heavy undertaking, and as a company, we just don’t take shortcuts on things like that," he added. “The best time to plant a tree is 40 years ago; the second best time is today, and we didn’t plant that tree on those vehicles 40 years ago so we need to start thinking about it now.” The recently confirmed third-generation Ridgeline is promised to gain even more rugged design and capabilities, although the brand said earlier this year that it would continue to be built exclusively at the company’s Alabama factory. Joseph pointed to the Honda MDX large SUV, which was briefly sold in Australia between 2003 and 2006 as proof that the brand could source cars from the USA if needed. The elephant in the room for Honda’s ute aspirations is a hot-off-the-press memorandum of understanding with Mitsubishi on use of its Triton ladder frame as Honda looks to expand into South East Asian markets with a more robust commercial offering. The team-up between Japanese stalwarts is understood to produce a Honda-badged version of the Mitsubishi ute. Joseph said this was a “could-be” solution for Australia in the short term. “Exactly what form that takes, we’ll see. It’s too early for us to confirm anything, but there’s a possibility there,” he said of a re-badged Triton. “I suppose its more of a statement of intent that it’s the vehicle missing from the portfolio in this region particularly.” Interestingly, Joseph’s vision for a Honda-badged ute was a bit more holistic in matching up with the rest of Honda’s portfolio outside of a strictly automotive use-case, which he said could help set the brand apart from its rivals. “My perspective is that would be very appealing when you look beyond automotive. We’ve got power sports, power equipment. Say somebody buys a Honda portable generator for their caravan, if they could tow that caravan with a Honda, have the generator in the tray, I like the way that packages together. “Even somebody who buys a CRF250 or CRF450 for autocross or trail-riding, they should be able to put that in another Honda, so I’m very attracted to the idea of it. But, it still has to pencil up as a business and it’s too early to say if it does.” On the Triton team-up, Joseph said the Honda ownership experience, which he said “improves as time goes on” for current owners, would be a key point of differentiation from both the Triton and Nissan’s Navara, which also uses the same underpinnings. “If we did do something like that, one of the things that Honda does differently is a very different ownership experience. “We, you know, having the price promise and fixed-price servicing, it's very appealing to people because we have that brand trust, because we have that reputation for taking care of our customers and making sure we have parts available. “It's a completely different purchase experience and process, and I think different decision-making for the buyer. So, that would be one consideration we’d be looking at.”

Honda Australia is going big on its end-of-year plate clearance campaign, with an offer for free servicing to eligible customers announced today. From November 2026 to the end of January 2027, new customers of 2026 Honda ZR-Vs, HR-Vs, CR-Vs, Civics and Accords can claim free servicing for the first five scheduled services with Honda dealers. In addition, the brand is offering gift cards up to $3000 to eligible customers until stock runs out “to celebrate their new car purchase”. Some models aren't included, such as the Civic Type R, MY27 Civic, MY27 Prelude and the Honda Super-One electric car. Honda Australia, while behind the curve in offering only a five-year warranty when many brands are shifting to seven or more, already has a pretty tempting servicing plan for customers. Honda’s standard $279 capped price for the first five services (every 10,000km or 12 months) is excellent, and applies across the range. That means even a Honda Civic Type R’s servicing costs less than many mass-market models. For Honda to offer free servicing is notably bold. On top of this, Honda is extending its usual five-year unlimited kilometre warranty and its five years of premium roadside assistance to eight years each as part of the offer, as long as cars are serviced at a Honda Centre. Honda Australia’s General Manager of Automotive Nick Parkington spoke to the weight the company is hoping customers will see the offer with. "We take pride in delivering an ownership experience that is every bit as rewarding as the vehicles we build," said Mr Parkington. "This offer makes it even easier to get behind the wheel of one of our  vehicles while enjoying the confidence and peace of mind that comes with five free scheduled services.”

Honda has released details of an updated version of its HR-V for the Japanese domestic market, where the small SUV is badged Vezel. Exterior cosmetic changes as well as new features inside have been added to internal-combustion engine (ICE) and ‘e:HEV’ hybrid models to freshen the car’s looks and enhance practicality. In Australia, the HR-V is offered across four model grades, all front-wheel drive; the entry-level, pure-combustion Vi X, with the e:HEV powertrain available in X, L and flagship RS form. Japanese buyers also have the choice of four models - one combustion (G) and three hybrid (X, Z & Z Play package) - however, all-wheel drive is standard on the base ICE car and an option on the hybrids. The Japanese market facelift sees the wheel arches and front, side, and rear bumper garnishes finished in the same colour as the body on the Z models, with additions to the base G’s spec list including: Rear ventilation Dual rear USB-C ports Black inner headlight lenses On top of that, the e:HEV X has picked up: Heated front seats As well as the exterior trim pieces finished in body colour, the e:HEV Z also gets the black inner headlight lens treatment, with the Z Play package adding 18-inch alloy rims with a dark clear finish. Colours not seen in Australia so far, include Seabed Blue Pearl and Premium Sunlight White Pearl. Already on sale, the updated Japanese HR-V is priced from ¥2.77 million, which, taking import and distribution costs into account translates to a number very close to the local HR-V Vi X’s current $32,900, drive-away price. The Japanese flagship e:HEV Z Play package sits at ¥3.66 million in FWD form, again close to its Australian RS equivalent at $44,400, drive-away on an import-adjusted basis. CarsGuide contacted Honda Australia for comment on the updated HR-V’s potential for local release and a spokesperson said, “We are unable to confirm at this stage whether the updated HR-V currently available in Japan will be introduced to the Australian market.”

Honda is preparing an all-new, affordable electric vehicle (EV), which could put it on a collision course with Chinese and South Korean rivals in Australia. Due to be unveiled internationally early next year, the small crossover/SUV is expected to be slightly larger than the existing Honda HR-V but smaller than the company’s ZR-V, and will be based on the 0 (as in ‘Zero series’) Alpha concept unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show some 12 months ago. While there is no confirmation as yet about an Australian debut, Honda has revealed that it is open to all EVs if they meet certain requirements. “We’re constantly looking at what’s available globally that we can bring here locally,” according to Honda Australia Director, Robert Thorp. “And through that process, we have to make sure that it can tick a lot of boxes. Whether it be from a volume perspective, whether it be from a profit perspective, and can it also find a market here as well?” To help keep the as-yet unnamed production version price competitive, it will be built in India for global consumption, with Japan set to be one of the first export destinations. As a result of leveraging a lower-cost manufacturing base, it is anticipated that pricing could kick off from about $40,000 for the entry-level grade. To put that in perspective, today’s ageing HR-V range that is sourced from Japan kicks off with the Vi petrol from $32,900 drive-away, while the e:HEV X strong hybrid is priced from $39,900 drive-away. Using a new, EV-only architecture that has been engineered for efficiency under Honda’s “Thin, Light, and Wise” development philosophy, the production 0 Alpha will feature a low-slung yet wide five-door crossover body with high ground clearances and a spacious interior for five occupants offering plenty of luggage space. It has been reported that two battery pack sizes will be offered in the electric Honda, in 61kWh and 75kWh versions, in line with rivals like the Atto 2 and Kia EV3, as well as the Skoda Epiq, Volkswagen ID Cross and other smaller EV crossovers. While declining to divulge specific details, Thorp added that his company is on the right track to offer Australian buyers what they want from the brand. “We obviously can’t provide any detail, or confirm anything we might be doing in terms of future line-up today,” he said. “But, what we do have planned in the future, and what we’re working towards, we’re pretty confident that we’ll have a line-up that will continue to connect and resonate with the market. “That includes a continuation of our strategy, which is hybrid led, but EVs when and where it makes sense.” With soaring fuel prices and the ongoing cost of living crisis, sales of smaller cars and crossovers are likely to rise, giving the company an opportunity to stake a claim against newer yet more-established players from China like BYD, Geely, GWM, MG and GAC. Honda Australia General Manager of Automotive Nick Parkington is confident of a small-car sales recovery after years of falling demand in Australia. “I’d like to think there’s probably a plateauing in terms of some of those smaller segments that have been on a long decline over a long period of time,” he believes. “For some, there might even be a resurgence. Because there is convenience, there is practicality, and in our instance (with the Super-One), there is personality, in somebody’s second car, or somebody’s Monday to Friday commute. “I think there’s space in the market for us, and other brands for that matter… to absorb a little bit of a small-car upsurgeance. “A lot of that is because of the product itself, and a lot of that is because of some very big macro-economic factors that make more economical sense.”

Honda is working on technology to charge EVs as they drive. The Japanese brand has teamed up with civil engineering firm Taisei to develop wireless car charging technology, according to a report in AutoCar. The system embeds charging equipment into the road surface, that draws power from roadside units. Taisei and Honda will begin testing and validation in late 2026, with potential for it to be made available on future car models. It's expected this set-up will be able to charge EVs at up to 150kW. The system utilises a Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer (DWPT) to allow for an EV to charge wirelessly and while on the move. Testing will establish what pavement structures and constructions are suitable to house the technology, while also verifying if the system is capable of charging at up to 150kW. Honda’s research and development arm will create compatible transferring technology and Taisei will construct the wireless charging transfer equipment. Honda said these technologies will offer high-power wireless charging and support a wide range of vehicles from cars to trucks. The pair will initially implement the technology for logistics and transportation sectors, which includes commercial vehicles like trucks. This is because it will reduce downtime for trucks and keep them moving while charging, but in the future, this technology will be adapted for electric cars. Moving into the wireless charging space forms part of Honda’s broader plans to increase EV infrastructure, following the roll out of its ‘Honda Charge’ network in Japan. This is despite the brand investing heavily into hybrid technology from 2027 as it pivots away from the majority of its '0-Series' electric car plans. It was reported in August 2026 Honda would outsource future EV and hybrid development to India as part of a move reduce costs. Honda isn’t the only brand delving into wireless charging. Tesla has shown off a magnetic wireless charging system that uses a floor pad that could rest on a garage floor, for example. BMW piloted a similar system, where it sold factory-fitted charging pads in some select markets for its plug-in hybrid 5-Series sedan. Chinese brand SAIC Motor, owner of MG, LDV and more, ships some of its EV models with factory wireless charging pads as well.

Honda is preparing a Toyota HiLux hunter.  The brand is gearing up to launch a new ute in 2028, according to a report from Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun.  It will take aim at the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux in a ute market that remains one of the highest-volume segments globally. It will mirror the Nissan Navara in using the Mitsubishi Triton as the basis for its mechanical DNA.  It could be the first model in an expanded collaboration between Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi.  There are limited details on the new Honda ute at this stage, as it's still under development, but it will reportedly be built in Thailand.  It will sport the same ladder-frame chassis as the Triton, so buyers can expect Honda’s ute to provide some rugged off-roading and adventuring potential.  The current Mitsubishi Triton uses a 2.4-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine, making 150kW and 470Nm.  Mitsubishi has plans to offer hybrid power in its future ladder-frame models and Honda's ute could benefit from this.  This comes as Honda too shifts its focus from fully electric cars to invest heavily in hybrid power from 2027. Mitsubishi’s Chief Product Specialist Itagaki Kunitoshi said in September 2026 the carmaker is developing hybrid set-ups for its future Pajero 4WD and Triton ute models. “Mitsubishi Motors is actively conducting research and development in electrified ladder-frame vehicles, including hybrid vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicle technologies for products such as Pajero and Triton in the future,” Kunitoshi said. Hybrid power could help Honda steer clear of fines under Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES). It’s too early to say whether the incoming Honda ute will go on sale in Australia, but it's becoming increasingly likely.  The ute will launch in South-East Asia in 2028, a region with many right-hand-drive markets. While a RHD build improves its chances of an Australian arrival, the local branch hasn't officially confirmed it will land in showrooms. A spokesperson for Honda Australia told CarsGuide in October 2026 there was nothing to confirm yet.  “While Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi Motors are discussing various potential collaboration opportunities under the framework of our strategic partnership, there is nothing specific to share at this time,” they said.    Honda already sells a Ridgeline ute, but it is exclusively sold in North America. This means it’s built in left-hand drive, while it also uses a thirsty V6 engine that would incur fines under Australian emissions rules, essentially ruling it out Down Under.

Mitsubishi’s Triton ute looks set to spread its mechanical DNA further than the underpinnings of its Nissan Navara sibling. Reports out of Japan point to a Honda-badged, Thai-built version of the ladder frame workhorse planned for sale in multiple Southeast Asian markets and beyond from 2028. Nikkei Asia has reported increasing competition from Chinese challenger brands in Asia has forced Honda to review its largely stand-alone product policy, tapping into Mitsubishi’s body-on-frame ute expertise as a pragmatic short-cut response. Honda already has the Alabama-built Ridgeline dual cab pickup in its North American portfolio, but that petrol V6-powered monocoque mid-sizer lacks the load carrying and hauling capacity of a traditional ute with a tough leaf-spring rear end. The report references collaboration talks between Honda, Mitsubishi and Nissan, which have been ongoing since August 2024 and notes the Triton’s reputation for durability and off-road performance; in-demand attributes for hard-working trucks in ASEAN countries. Honda entered into numerous model share arrangements with Isuzu through the 1990s (Passport, Horizon, Jazz), but has mainly operated solo since then, so a potential ute collaboration with the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance partners represents a telling shift in the Japanese maker’s new product development model. The report notes that until recently, Japanese brands collectively commanded around 90 per cent market share in Thailand and Indonesia, that figure shrinking to closer to 70 per cent currently as buyers embrace EV passenger and commercial options from the likes of BYD, Chery, Geely, XPeng, Zeekr and many others. More specifically, the report said Honda's combined year-on-year sales in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand have fallen 20 per cent (to around 110,000 units) for the first eight months of 2026. And it’s worth noting the potential arrangement would improve Mitsubishi Motors factory efficiency in Thailand, where a reported collective capacity of approximately 386,000 units resulted in only 170,000 vehicles produced in 2025.  With multiple right-hand drive markets scattered throughout Southeast Asia, including Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, the possibility of a Honda ute in Australia is significant and CarsGuide contacted Honda Australia for comment on the prospect of a local introduction. A spokesperson told us, “This is not an official announcement made by Honda or Mitsubishi Motors." "While Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi Motors are discussing various potential collaboration opportunities under the framework of our strategic partnership, there is nothing specific to share at this time. "We will make an official announcement at an appropriate time,” they said.

Honda America has moved to make what many driving enthusiasts already regard as the best even better by upgrading the brand’s Civic Type R hot hatch with extra performance, additional standard features and new-generation tech. Marking six generations across 30 years of the Civic Type R, the ultra-fast five-door sports a more aggressive front fascia with a larger grille opening claimed to improve cooling and a deeper front splitter to increase downforce. Inside, a “more refined cockpit” now includes heated front seats and a new trim perforation pattern as well as synthetic suede around the instrument surround and upper front door panels. The Type R's signature alloy shift knob, interior door handles and console trim have a dark grey finish and the climate control and air vent knobs in black, a diamond-pattern mesh dash panel (with black surround) and front door panel trims in silver are designed to up the cabin’s premium feel. Under the skin, the Type R’s ‘K20C’ four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine sends 235kW/420Nm to the front wheels (exclusively) via a six-speed manual gearbox. And under the bonnet, a redesigned engine cover is reminiscent of the powerplants in early-generation Type R models sold in Japan. Other technical changes include optimised suspension damping in +R mode to reduce bounce and impact harshness, more direct brake feel courtesy of a pedal yoke spring and an improved rev match system with faster engine response for smoother downshifts. Google built-in / Google Gemini / Google Maps / Google Play Alexa built-in Auto-dimming rearview mirror Two USB-C ports Improved (dual tone) horn New colour: Meteorite Grey Metallic Tech upgrades to the Honda Sensing safety suite include improved AEB (Auto Emergency Braking) with pedestrian detection incorporating increased system visibility for motorcycles and bicycles.  Adaptive cruise control is also enhanced with improved braking and acceleration response and lane keeping assist features “improved control over road camber and other disturbances for smoother operation”. And for the first time, the Civic Type R is equipped with multi-collision brake to minimise the chances of subsequent impacts after an initial crash. The 2027 Civic Type R will arrive in US Honda showrooms this month with a MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) of US$48,695 (~A$69,900). While local sale of the upgraded Type R isn’t on the cards at this stage, CarsGuide expects another batch of current model Type Rs to land in Australia in 2027.