Honda's EV Pain Is Forcing Big Changes To Accord And Passport
Stretching Life Cycles
It's no secret that Honda is going through a challenging time right now. The company's bet on EVs had crumbled, costing it billions and, for the first time in nearly 70 years, causing annual operating losses. The next couple of years will be crucial for the brand, and it won't be easy as it has to tighten its belts while continuously developing new products.
With that, Honda has to stretch the life cycles of its midsize offerings. That means cars like the Accord, Odyssey, and Passport will have to hang on to their respective current generations for a little longer. However, that doesn't mean Honda will let these models go stagnant.
As Confirmed by Honda
A few weeks ago, there was a report from Japan saying the Accord was set to get a facelift. It has since been confirmed by Honda, and Gary Robinson, American Honda's head of product planning, told Automotive News there will be major changes to the midsize sedan.
Not only that, but the Passport will also get a host of updates to further broaden its appeal. That's despite the fact that the SUV is new for 2026, but given that the model will be using the same platform for a while, every little tweak and update counts.
What the Insiders Said
Starting with the Passport, the two-row midsize SUV will be getting a more rugged appearance. The extent of the changes is still unknown, but it was said that it will benefit from new bumpers, additional colors, and a revamped fascia. The major bit here will be mechanical changes, as there are apparently talks of making the vehicle more off-road-capable despite its car-based underpinnings.
As for the Accord, the comments made by Robinson backed those up from the previous report. That said, it could go beyond the usual fascia tweaks and interior add-ons. With that in mind, it's possible the U.S won't get the look currently applied to the Chinese-market model. Instead, we might see some elements from the hybrid sedan concept shown earlier this year for the refreshed Accord.
Hybrid Push
Aside from updating its larger models, Honda will invest more in something it's very familiar with: hybrid powertrains. The company will release 15 new hybrid models in the coming years, including more electrified SUVs. There are no specifics just yet, but we can be certain that the Accord will be one of them.
There's also a strong indication that the Pilot and other similarly-sized models will finally have hybrid options. Toyota has offered larger hybrid vehicles for quite some time now, and it's rather surprising that Honda didn't respond to that earlier. Still, better late than never, and Honda needs a strong sales push to bounce back from its disastrous 2025.
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This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 8:00 AM.