Peter Lyon
May 7, 2025
Better known for its sports cars, like the NSX, Civic Type R, and S2000, Honda has neglected electric vehicles. In fact, the brand has only launched two EVs onto the market so far—the tiny Honda e in limited markets and the $47,400 Prologue SUV in the U.S.
Now, however, its latest electric prototype has snagged a major design award in the UK.
Honda’s innovative ‘0 Series’ Saloon has just been honored with the “Best EV Design” prize at the 2025 Top Gear Awards, recognizing the model’s groundbreaking approach to electric vehicle aesthetics and functionality.
First unveiled at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Honda introduced the 0 Series, comprising the Honda 0 Saloon and Honda 0 SUV prototypes. These models embody Honda’s “Thin, Light, and Wise” philosophy, aiming to expand design possibilities and enhance driving experiences.
Featuring key innovations such as ASIMO OS, a proprietary vehicle operating system that offers ultra-personalized user experiences by understanding occupant emotions and intentions, the vehicle adjusts interior settings accordingly. Advanced Automated Driving at Level 3 allows hands-free driving under certain traffic conditions.
Featuring a one-motion form – characterized by a line rising smoothly from the front to the rear – and a low, wide design, the exterior styling of the Saloon emphasizes the brand’s future lines. The upright design of the side glass creates an expansive side panel while the shape narrows toward the side sills to accentuate the tires.
The interior features a simple and intuitive human-machine interface (HMI) that provides a sophisticated and seamless user interface. The low-slung sporty styling sets the Saloon apart from other vehicles thanks to its sleek silhouette and proportions that generate an interior that is more spacious than you’d expect.
Greg Potts, Features Editor at TopGear.com said “The 0 Saloon and 0 SUV prototypes unveiled at CES 2025 both look incredible. They’re gloriously futuristic in their design, and we’re told that they’re 95 per cent ready to enter the real world.”
Rebecca Adamson, Head of Automobile at Honda Motor Europe UK said: “We’re incredibly proud to receive the ‘Best EV Design’ award from Top Gear. This recognition is a testament to the passion, creativity, and relentless innovation of Honda, pushing boundaries to redefine what an electric vehicle can be.”
CARLIST THOUGHTS
If Honda was going to accelerate and strengthen its EV lineup, what better way to do it than offer an EV lower and sleeker than just about any electrified car currently on the road. Honda plans to launch the production model of the Saloon in 2027 in Europe, positioning it as the flagship of the 0 Series. The lineup will include small-, medium-, and large-size models, aiming to introduce a total of seven 0 Series vehicles globally by 2030, starting with markets in North America, followed by Japan and Europe.
