A working prototype of the Honda 0 SUV was shown off in the metal yesterday at the Red Bull Showrun x Powered by Honda event, ahead of the 2025 Japan Grand Prix. The event marked the first public debut of the electric vehicle (EV) SUV, after it was first revealed in concept form earlier this year at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES).
The Honda 0 SUV prototype was driven by Formula 1 superstar and Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen in a demonstration run, with local hero Yuki Tsunoda in the passenger seat. According to the Japanese carmaker, the distinctive purple camouflage wrap was designed as a “visual representation” of their new approach to EV development – “Thin, Light, and Wise”.
The Honda 0 SUV is the first model in the marque’s new “0 Series” EVs, which will also include a saloon (sedan) model at launch. The SUV model shown here builds on the Space-Hub concept model first unveiled at CES 2024, with the near-production 0 SUV prototype closely resembling the unique silhouette of the design preview.
Design highlights of the Honda 0 SUV include the significantly raked front windscreen, pixelated headlights, the tiny rear windscreen, massive rear diffuser elements, and the U-shaped LED tail lights – all of which have seemingly made its way onto the prototype too.
The final production interior of the Honda 0 SUV still remains to be seen, although we do know that it’ll be powered by a new ASIMO OS central operating system, which will also enable SAE Level 3 autonomous driving in certain markets. The original concept featured five(!) separate screens on the dashboard, and a yoke for steering inputs; the camouflage car driven by Max Verstappen featured a more conventional steering wheel instead.
The Honda 0 SUV EV will begin production at the Honda EV Hub in Ohio, US in 2026, with a launch scheduled in the North American market in 2026, followed by other global markets including Japan and Europe.
Earlier this year, Honda Malaysia announced its plans to introduce three EV models in the country within the next three years. Given that the marque’s global EV line-up currently only consists of the e:N1, could the Honda 0 Series models be making their way into Malaysia too?
READ MORE: Honda Malaysia to launch 3 new models in 2025; 3 EVs by 2027 including e:N1 EV
