Honda Cars India is preparing a major brand reset for the second half of the decade. As part of its 10-model product strategy, the company will import three key models between 2026 and 2027 – the Prelude hybrid coupe, the ZR-V hybrid SUV and the fully electric 0 SUV. These halo imports are intended to rebuild premium appeal and strengthen Honda’s image after years of leaning heavily toward mass-market products.

Rebuilding Honda’s Brand Pyramid

For years, Honda’s India lineup was structured with the Accord and CR-V at the top, the Civic in the middle and the City as the entry point. But the introduction of models like the Brio, Amaze, WR-V, Jazz and BR-V reversed that pyramid. Focus on profitability, reduced investment and the closure of the Greater Noida plant caused several global icons to exit India. As a result, Honda’s brand identity weakened and lacked models that showcased its engineering strengths, particularly in hybrids.

Now, Honda acknowledges that the brand needs aspirational models again. Imports will arrive in limited but impactful numbers to re-establish desirability and global credibility.

Prelude Hybrid Coupe

Launch: First half of 2026
The Prelude nameplate returns with a strong emotional pull, especially among enthusiasts who remember the iconic models of the ’80s and ’90s. The new version is a 200hp, 2.0-litre front-wheel-drive hybrid coupe equipped with simulated gear shifts for a more engaging feel.

Honda is currently working on India-specific E20 compatibility and tyre setups. Once validated, the Prelude will be imported in limited numbers. However, its expected price of around Rs 80 lakh means it won’t be a mass-market performer. It also isn’t a high-output Type-R level machine, so the halo effect may be more subtle than dramatic.

ZR-V Hybrid

Launch: End-2026
The ZR-V will be Honda’s most practical and potentially impactful import. Positioned between the City and the CR-V globally, it is a premium crossover powered by a 180hp, 2.0-litre hybrid system with AWD and an e-CVT.

At an estimated price of Rs 50 lakh to Rs 60 lakh, sales will be limited, but the ZR-V will serve as a strong hybrid showcase, reinforcing Honda’s global leadership in the segment. The model will help bridge the gap until Honda’s locally produced hybrid models arrive later in the decade.

Honda 0 SUV – The Tech Flagship

Launch: Mid-2027
The all-electric Honda 0 SUV will be the most advanced model Honda has ever brought to India. Based on the new 0 Series EV architecture, it features a radically clean and futuristic design philosophy that will influence future Honda EVs worldwide.

This flagship import is expected to offer:
– 80kWh to 100kWh battery options
– Around 500km real-world range
– Honda’s next-generation software stack
– New battery management technologies

While the smaller 0 Alpha SUV will be locally assembled in India from 2027, the larger 0 SUV will be brought in as a full CBU. Expected pricing above Rs 80 lakh puts it in luxury EV territory, directly competing with high-end global players.

The Road Ahead

Honda’s success with these halo models will depend on consistency. Sporadic CBU launches won’t build brand equity. These imports must be part of a long-term effort, not a one-off experiment. If executed well, the Prelude, ZR-V and 0 SUV could restore the engineering-led, aspirational image that made Honda a beloved premium brand in India.