Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced “Honda Hybrid” as the official name of its next-generation hybrid system. The system will be introduced globally starting in 2027.
Honda said it has been shifting development and production resources toward hybrids to meet growing global demand. This follows the roadmap for rebuilding its automobile business, which the company announced in May 2026. As part of that direction, Honda revamped its hybrid system and developed Honda Hybrid.
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Honda Hybrid builds on technology from e:HEV, the company’s original two-motor hybrid system. Honda says it aims to deliver strong fuel efficiency along with an engaging driving experience. Honda will also use “Honda Hybrid” as the communication name for the technology worldwide, so customers can more easily understand what the system offers.
Honda plans to launch 15 next-generation hybrid models with Honda Hybrid globally by the end of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2030, mainly in North America. To further improve fuel economy, Honda is expanding the engine’s high-efficiency operating range and improving drive-unit efficiency while making it smaller.
Models with Honda Hybrid will ride on a newly developed platform. It uses a new approach to body rigidity management that balances rigidity and weight reduction. According to Honda, this makes the body behave as if it flexes during cornering, which improves roadholding. The models will also get a Motion Management System, which Honda describes as its own integrated control technology, and a newly developed electric all-wheel-drive system (e-AWD). Honda says these features are meant to give drivers a high-quality driving experience with a sense of security.
Honda Hybrid is the latest step in a line of hybrid systems that began in 1999. Honda detailed the earlier systems as follows.
IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) debuted in the first-generation Insight in 1999. It was a lightweight, compact parallel hybrid in which the engine was the main power source and the motor assisted during startup and acceleration.
Sport Hybrid i-DCD (Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive) arrived in 2012. It was a one-motor system with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and a high-output motor built into the transmission. Honda says it offered good fuel economy and strong acceleration.
Honda also introduced the Sport Hybrid i-MMD (Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive) in 2012. It uses two motors, a generator motor and a traction motor, and relies on motor drive for most everyday driving. It switches automatically among three driving modes depending on conditions. Honda says this provides EV-like smooth acceleration, quiet operation, and strong environmental performance. Since 2020, Honda has used “e:HEV” as the communication name for this technology.
Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive), introduced in 2012, combined an engine with three motors. It used independent left and right electric motors for torque vectoring, distributing driving force to all four wheels.
Honda Hybrid, announced in 2026, further develops key e:HEV components, including the engine, drive unit, and control technologies. The name will also serve as the system’s communication name.
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