Honda Secretly Showed Dealers Its Future Models, Including The Element. Here's What They Said

Honda has officially confirmed that the 2028 CR-V will be offered exclusively with hybrid powertrains on an all-new platform, marking the end of gas-only variants for America's best-selling SUV. The announcement from Honda Newsroom states the redesigned model will debut next year with new platform architecture, hybrid powertrain, and updated design. Coverage from Car and Driver, Cars.com, SlashGear, and Bloomberg.com all report the same core details: the CR-V follows the Toyota RAV4 in becoming a hybrid-only compact SUV for the U.S. market. CarBuzz adds that an official launch date has been confirmed for the 2028 model year.

According to Automotive News, Honda is targeting 1.6 million U.S. sales annually with the redesigned CR-V, a revived Element, and production from a new Ohio plant. The Element revival was previewed during a private dealer presentation reported by Motor1.com, where dealers were shown future models including the returning boxy crossover. The dealer meeting was described as secretive, with Motor1.com recounting dealer reactions to the Element's return alongside the CR-V redesign. Multiple outlets emphasize the hybrid-only strategy as a significant shift for Honda's volume leader.

The CR-V has been America's best-selling SUV for several years, making its transition to hybrid-only a notable inflection point for the mainstream market. The move aligns with broader industry trends toward electrification and mirrors Toyota's strategy with the RAV4, which has seen strong hybrid take rates. Honda's new Ohio plant investment signals a commitment to domestic production of these electrified models. The Element's potential return would resurrect a cult-favorite nameplate last sold in 2011, targeting a different demographic than the CR-V with its distinctive boxy utility-focused design.

Watch for official reveal timing for the 2028 CR-V, which CarBuzz indicates has a confirmed launch date. The Element revival remains at the dealer-preview stage per Motor1.com's reporting, with no official confirmation from Honda Newsroom on that nameplate. Automotive News' 1.6 million sales target and Ohio plant details suggest further production announcements may follow. Dealer order banks and pricing for the hybrid-only CR-V lineup will be key indicators of market reception.