Could these signal the next-gen Honda Accord and Civic and Acura RDX?Front side view of a silver electric car with sleek LED headlights and black alloy wheels against a dark background.Honda and sister brand Acura recently revealed two new design concepts. Honda calls its version the Hybrid Sedan Prototype, and Acura’s is the Hybrid SUV Prototype.While they’re pre-production examples, they’re also supposedly design studies. Both potentially preview the visual language for each brand and their next generation of vehicles.AdvertisementAdvertisementBoth automakers are at the point in their strategic lifecycles where they’re preparing to transition into a new generation of automobiles. But given their exterior styling direction, we’re not entirely sold on their appearances.Picking up the pieces and changing directionHonda tried pitching its new design direction and electrification strategy with its O Series in 2025. - Credit: HondaHonda and Acura are each in a bit of a pickle. After betting heavily on electric vehicles for the near-future strategy, both companies have been struggling to make a return on their investments.Like many other automakers who tried to cash in on BEVs, both Honda and Acura cancelled their immediate electric ambitions to refocus on improving internal combustion tech. Now, both carmakers are betting on hybrid power.After the market spoke and EVs didn’t take off as strongly as anticipated, Honda pulled the plug on the 0 Series. - Credit: HondaIn addition to the propulsion strategy change, Honda and Acura are also at a key transition point where they roll out a completely new range of vehicles. These two hybrid concepts will likely spearhead the new lineup.AdvertisementAdvertisementWhile the two automakers are billing the cars as concepts, they do have a reputation for showcasing near-production-ready vehicles. Put another way, these prototypes could provide a true glimpse into what some next-gen models will look like.Could this be the next-gen Civic or Accord?The Honda Hybrid Sedan Prototype is the brand’s pivot back to gas-electric hybrid power. - Credit: HondaBecause of this, we wouldn’t be surprised if the Honda Hybrid Sedan Prototype serves as an immediate precursor to the next-gen Civic or Accord. Or, both.The current eleventh-generation Accord just launched in 2023 and still feels fresh. But it’s actually roughly half-way through its typical series production lifecycle, which is around five to seven years.Both the current and previous gen Accords began incorporating fastback designs, which is also used in the latest Hybrid Sedan Prototype. - Credit: HondaMeaning, while a twelfth-gen Accord is likely a few years away, the Honda Hybrid Sedan Prototype could still provide early hints as to what we can expect. The same could be said about the Civic, which is likely to be the first in line for a next-gen overhaul.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe current eleventh-gen Civic has been with us since 2021 as a 2022 model-year car. And the Civic tends to last five to six years long before getting a new-gen.The Civic also gained a fastbacks for both the hatch and the sedan. - Credit: HondaAdditionally, both the Civic and Accord incorporated fastback designs over their past two generations. Thus, it wouldn’t be surprising if the prototype foreshadowed the direction of the next-gen models.Say hello to what’s likely the next-gen RDXA long time in the making, this could be the next-gen Acura RDX. - Credit: AcuraAnother aging model is one of Acura’s best-sellers, the RDX compact SUV. The MDX recently took the superlative title as Acura discontinued the previous RDX just this year due to its age.Which means a new model should be right around the corner. Acura introduced the third-gen RDX back in 2018 as a 2019 model-year vehicle. It’s most certainly overdue for an update, with the previous models lasting roughly six years.The Acura Hybrid SUV Prototype could also signal a next-gen MDX. - Credit: AcuraAcura did previously mention a new, fourth-gen RDX was on the horizon. All roads point to the Acura Hybrid SUV Prototype as being the forerunner.Could this be enough to put Honda and Acura back on the map?Honda’s Prelude revival was met with mixed reactions. - Credit: HondaAdvertisementAdvertisementIt may not seem like it on the surface, but Honda and Acura have been slipping. Even fans are noticing, saying the brands are resting a little too much on their laurels.As mainstream carmakers in some of the automotive space’s most cutthroat segments, their rivalries have been fierce. And the competition keeps intensifying.Acura tried pitching this RSX concept in 2025 as the brand’s electrification poster child. - Credit: AcuraPart of the Honda-Acura allure has always been the eye-catching and logical designs. Some may not have aged well, but others left timeless impressions, such as the third-generation Acura TL and the eighth-generation Honda Accord.But whether these designs are enough to give the two more of a competitive edge in the coming years has yet to be determined.AdvertisementAdvertisementAbout the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? 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