Honda 0 Series 'Saloon' Hits North America — Can It Pressure Tesla Model S?
The first production car in Honda's 0 Series, the Saloon, is set for a late-2026 launch in North America. ~500hp, ~700km range, and the new in-house Asimo OS. Here's how it stacks against Tesla, Lucid, and the EV plateau.
After teasing the 0 Series at CES 2024 and 2025, Honda's first production car — the Saloon — is scheduled for North American launch in late 2026. Japan follows in 2027, Europe in 2028. This is the test of whether Honda can be "the next Tesla."
Specs that matter
Combining leaks, patents, and supplier sources, the Saloon lands roughly at:
- Dual-motor AWD, ~500 hp system output
- ~105 kWh battery (high-density cells from LG Energy)
- ~700 km range (~600 km EPA equivalent)
- 350 kW DC fast charging, 10–80% in ~20 minutes
- 2900mm wheelbase, 5100mm length — full-size sedan
Tesla Model S Plaid (1020hp, 650km) wins on horsepower, but early drives describe a different class of ride, quietness, and interior quality.
Asimo OS is the real story
Beyond the hardware, the car runs Asimo OS, Honda's first proper SDV (Software-Defined Vehicle) platform, built on Snapdragon Ride Flex.
The key is OTA-updatable driving capability. It ships at Level 2+ (hands-off highway), with Level 3 rolling out in 2027 across North America and Japan. Same playbook as Tesla FSD — capability shipped after the sale.
Design: aggressive conservatism
True to the "Thin, Light, and Wise" philosophy, the front mask is built around a slim black H mark and unusual headlight geometry. The flanks are sculpted but not aggressively sporty — clearly aimed at 40–60 executive buyers, not Tesla's tech-optimist crowd.
Price and distribution
Expected MSRP $75,000–$95,000. That puts it right between Model S ($80k+), Lucid Air Pure ($70k+), and Mercedes EQS ($105k+). Honda Sensing Elite plus Asimo OS is the software-side differentiation play.
In addition to dealer distribution, Honda is reportedly opening flagship "0 Series" stores in major cities — Apple-store-style learning applied to cars.
Where Honda sits in the EV race
Until 2025, Honda EVs were either GM-derived (Prologue) or regional-only (e:Ny1). The 0 Series is the first Honda-developed pure-EV platform, and you can feel the all-in energy.
Two risks: IRA subsidy eligibility depends on North American battery sourcing percentages. And BYD, NIO, Xiaomi's pace into North America/Europe could compress Honda's window. Both going wrong is a "straight strategy isn't enough" scenario.
Realistic landing zone
- First-year US sales ~35,000 units (below Model S's 50k pace, but a credible debut)
- Japan launch in 2027 captures the "no premium domestic EV" slot — ~10,000 units a year possible
- Asimo OS third-party API in five years → in-car app ecosystem; that's the long game
The fact that we get a serious Honda EV before the Yaris Cross EV finally lands is genuinely good news.
FAQ
When does the Honda 0 "Saloon" launch, and when in Japan?
North American launch is expected in the second half of 2026. Japan follows in 2027 and Europe in 2028, in a phased rollout.
What are the range and charging speed?
Battery capacity is around 105 kWh, with roughly 700 km of range (about 600 km on the EPA cycle). It supports 350 kW DC fast charging, going 10–80% in about 20 minutes.
How much does it cost, and who are the rivals?
The estimated MSRP is $75,000–$95,000. That overlaps with the Tesla Model S ($80k+), Lucid Air Pure ($70k+), and Mercedes EQS ($105k+); Honda differentiates with Honda Sensing Elite and the Asimo OS software experience.
When will Asimo OS Level 3 autonomy be available?
At launch it ships with Level 2+ (highway hands-off), with Level 3 planned to roll out in North America and Japan in 2027. The OTA architecture updates driver-assist capability after purchase — the same "features evolve post-sale" strategy as Tesla's FSD.
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