For Acura, Honda’s luxury arm, the sedan lineup has nearly vanished. The TLX has been discontinued, leaving the Integra a five-door hatchback as its only passenger car in a portfolio now dominated by SUVs. This mirrors the broader U.S. market, where Honda’s mainstream lineup still includes two sedans and a hatchback, but they’re far outnumbered by seven crossovers, vans, and pickups.
The shift reflects global demand. From the United States to China and India, SUVs remain the default choice for buyers. Yet Honda insists it will not give up on cars that excite enthusiasts.
Prelude: A Statement From the Top
Honda’s renewed push for sporty models comes straight from the top. Company president Toshihiro Mibe, who took the role four years ago, specifically instructed Honda’s R&D team to develop a new coupe. The result is the return of the Prelude, a nameplate long associated with Honda’s driver-focused heritage.
“We still believe that SUVs are important for the mainstream business,” explains Katsushi Inoue, Honda’s director and senior managing executive officer. “However, in order to differentiate from other companies, we need to do that kind of thing: a production sporty body. The SUV is not everything.”
This reflects a philosophy Honda has carried for decades: mainstream appeal balanced with enthusiast passion. Even if the body style shifts—from coupe to sedan to hatchback—the spirit of building cars meant for drivers remains intact.
Acura’s RSX: From Coupe to Crossover
Not every revival is what fans might expect, though. Acura recently revealed the RSX, a new electric crossover wearing the badge of the iconic early-2000s sports coupe. While still technically a prototype, the RSX is on track to enter production next year—and it won’t be reverting to its two-door origins.
“It’s not an RSX like the original,” says Lance Woelfer, vice president of auto sales at American Honda. “It’s really a continuation, from a product standpoint, of where we’re taking the Acura lineup. But I think the name really carries and represents the new model.”
For enthusiasts who hoped the RSX badge would return on a lightweight coupe, that’s a disappointment. But for Acura, the move is about brand recognition and preparing its lineup for the electric era.
EV Timeline Pushed Back, Icons Still Promised
Electrification remains central to Honda’s long-term vision, but executives admit the transition won’t be as fast as initially planned. The RSX and Honda’s upcoming 0-Series EVs are still scheduled to launch next year. Other projects, however—including the electric successor to the NSX—are under review.
“We have to think that over once again,” Inoue says, when asked about the NSX’s future. Still, he emphasizes that a halo car remains essential: “We understand that we need to have that kind of model as our icon.”
Looking Ahead
SUVs may dominate Honda and Acura showrooms, but the company’s leadership is making clear it won’t abandon sporty cars altogether. Whether through the reborn Prelude, a future NSX successor, or other enthusiast-focused models, Honda wants to remind buyers that performance and emotion are as much a part of its DNA as practicality and efficiency.
