Honda unveils 0 Saloon and 0 SUV at CES, brings ASIMO back

Honda took center stage at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) with the debut of its groundbreaking 0 Series electric vehicles, the 0 SUV and 0 Saloon, set to hit production in 2026. Alongside these futuristic prototypes, Honda announced its first proprietary vehicle operating system, ASIMO OS, named after its legendary humanoid robot.

The announcements signal that Honda wants to forge forward its electrification efforts after it held a lukewarm stance toward battery-powered drivelines. Currently, the company only has one electric vehicle in its lineup, the e:NY1, and prematurely withdrew the bold e city car from the European market.

The Japanese carmaker wants to combine cutting-edge design, innovative software, and enhanced manufacturing capabilities for its next generation of BEVs.

Like a Lamborghini

Honda unveiled a previous version of the 0 saloon at last year’s edition of CES. This time, by adding the 0 SUV, it doubled its stakes. The new 0 Saloon and its twin in SUV format are designed on Honda’s next-gen in-house EV architecture, representing the automaker’s most advanced platform. Both models will be manufactured at Honda’s EV Hub in Ohio, part of a $5 billion investment in American production facilities.

The Honda 0 SUV will debut first, set for release in early 2026. It features a sleek yet muscular design with pixelated headlights, an illuminated Honda badge, and a sporty two-tone roof. Its raked windshield and compact crossover dimensions position it as a competitor to the Volkswagen ID.4, Peugeot e-3008, and Renault Scenic E-Tech.

The Honda 0 Saloon, which joins in 2026, offers a strikingly futuristic aesthetic. Inspired by Honda’s iconic HPX concept from 1984, the low-slung, wedge-shaped design evokes a luxury sports saloon. However, the trapezoid light clusters on its ultra-short nose remind it of a Lamborghini Gallardo, while the tail in ‘Codatronca’ style must reduce turbulence and improve range.

Both vehicles will feature steer-by-wire systems, promising precise handling, and thin lithium-ion batteries targeting a 300-mile EPA-rated range (480 km). While full specifications on power and torque are still under wraps, Honda confirmed rear and all-wheel-drive configurations for both models. How much of the science-fiction look will be carried on the production versions remains to be seen.

ASIMO re-emerges

The technological heart of Honda’s 0 Series will be the operating system ASIMO OS. It is named after Honda’s famed robot, one of the most advanced humanoid bots ever created, which was retired in 2018.

Re-emerging as a software tool, it manages everything from vehicle dynamics to infotainment. It leverages over-the-air updates to ensure continuous enhancement of features, such as Honda’s upgraded Level 3 autonomous driving system, SENSING Elite.

First launched on the Honda Legend in Japan, this system promises ‘eyes-off’ functionality in highway traffic, allowing drivers to focus on other activities, like watching movies or attending virtual meetings.

ASIMO OS also integrates seamlessly with its upcoming energy solutions, enabling the 0 Series to charge during low-cost, renewable energy periods next to vehicle-to-grid (V2G) functionality, returning energy to the network when needed.

Honda intends to offer an all-encompassing customer experience with its new generation of BEVs, reaffirming its participation in IONNA, a joint venture in North America with seven other automakers, aiming to establish 30,000 EV charging stations by 2030. “We aim to rival the (Tesla) Supercharger network by the end of the decade,” a spokesperson added.