Acura Mulling Sub-RDX Crossover

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

While Acura is making a renewed push on the passenger car side, with the TLX and a thoroughly refreshed ILX, the brand’s crossovers are arguably its strongest offerings. But there’s little room for growth above the three-row MDX, meaning Acura has only one way to go if they want to expand their offerings.

Speaking to Ward’s Auto, American Honda Executive Vice President John Mendel said that Acura was currently studying a version of Honda’s new HR-V crossover, which is the same size as vehicles like the Buick Encore and BMW X1.

Aside from a new offering in the North American market, the addition of a small crossover would be a big boost for the brand in markets like China and Russia, where CUVs, particularly small ones, are all the rage. Presumably, the business case for such a vehicle isn’t so tough to make. Finding production capacity might be a different matter. While the HR-V is built in Honda’s all-new plant in Mexico, the HR-V is destined to be a hot seller. An Acura version will bring higher profit margins, but could also put a crimp on volume.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Ceipower Ceipower on Feb 05, 2015

    O.K. , I get it , stick that ugly Acura Beak on the front end and we are done here.

  • Gasser Gasser on Feb 05, 2015

    Clearlly no one at Acura has a finger on the pulse of the market. Why build unsellable RLX when Acura-izing the Honda HR-V might actually sell?? The RDX is moving well (Leather interior, the ubiquitous Honda V6 and a 6 speed AT) building off the CRV. Why not use factory space for this Acura HR-V?? Even in L.A. these RLXs (warmed over Accords, with a bigger 6 and AWD) are rarer than Maseratis. If Acura wants to sell a more expensive car, it needs to be BIGGER, never mind the V8. Hyundai Genesis seems to sell just fine with a V6. Bury that RLX, add to the bottom of the CUV line and move on!!!

  • Jeff S Jeff S on Feb 06, 2015

    Honda needs to build an Acura version of the HR-V without the ugly beak on the front, it would sell well and possibly keep the Acura line alive. I agree with the above comments that the time has past to build a large V-8 powered SUV. Honda would not recover their costs and it would be even less successful than the Ridgeline. The development costs for the HR-V have already been incurred and it would not take too much to make it into a Encore competitor. Priced competitively it could take sales away from the Encore.

  • Jeff S Jeff S on Feb 06, 2015

    Honda needs to build an Acura version of the HR-V without the ugly beak on the front, it would sell well and possibly keep the Acura line alive. I agree with the above comments that the time has past to build a large V-8 powered SUV. Honda would not recover their costs and it would be even less successful than the Ridgeline. The development costs for the HR-V have already been incurred and it would not take too much to make it into a Encore competitor. Priced competitively it could take sales away from the Encore. One thing that Honda could do to set an Acura version of the HR-V apart from the competition is to include power adjustable passenger front seat, heated and cooled front seats, key less entry, and a remote hatch and offer it at a price that is not too much more than a loaded Encore.

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