You Asked; Honda Answered? Mysterious Crossover Appears in Design Patent

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Given the way the industry’s going, this website might soon have to change its name to The Truth About Crossovers. Thankfully, the acronym remains the same.

A U.S. design patent granted to Honda on Tuesday reveals that three utility vehicles might not be enough for the Japanese automaker’s American lineup. As car companies both domestic and foreign scramble to fill in gaps in their showrooms, it seems Honda hasn’t yet reached the crossover saturation point.

The patent, which carries a filing date of August 2nd, 2016, shows a two-row crossover with a more steeply raked rear window than either the compact CR-V or midsize Pilot. There’s no headroom for a third row back there. A spoiler adorns the top of the liftgate.

Basically, if the defunct Honda Crosstour and Ford Edge had a baby, it might look a lot like this. The appearance of high-end flourishes, such as a chrome fender vents and integrated twin tailpipes with some surrounding brightwork, lend credence to Automotive News‘ prediction of a potential near-premium two-row arriving next year as a 2019 model.

Dealers apparently pressed Honda for a larger model positioned above the CR-V, designed to do battle with swankier rivals. The model would shun the CR-V’s platform in favor of that of the three-row Pilot.

Not only would the larger platform give backseat passengers room to stretch out, it would also add more acreage aft of the rear seats, allowing for rakish rear glass in the now-commonplace four-door SUV coupe tradition. The model would surely borrow the Pilot’s powertrain, and would be built in Alabama alongside its three-row sibling.

Should it make it to production (what automaker says no to a new crossover?), Honda had better not use the “c” (coupe) word.

[Images: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Sgeffe Sgeffe on Nov 29, 2017

    I thought that a few months back, “rumor control” had Honda doing some sort of a “Pilot Jr.,” slotted between the CR-V and the existing Pilot. This is probably it. Engines? Thought I saw another mention around the time I mentioned of the latest Odyssey being the last newly-developed vehicle with the J-Series V6, so some iteration of the 2.0T/10A from the Accord would be a good guess, unless there’s another small, boosted V6 in the pipe.

  • Crossx5 Crossx5 on Dec 01, 2017

    Better looking crv!! Was definitely needed.

  • Dartdude The bottom line is that in the new America coming the elites don't want you and me to own cars. They are going to make building cars so expensive that the will only be for the very rich and connected. You will eat bugs and ride the bus and live in a 500sq-ft. apartment and like it. HUD wants to quit giving federal for any development for single family homes and don't be surprised that FHA aren't going to give loans for single family homes in the very near future.
  • Ravenuer The rear view of the Eldo coupe makes it look fat!
  • FreedMike This is before Cadillac styling went full scale nutty...and not particularly attractive, in my opinion.
  • JTiberius1701 Middle of April here in NE Ohio. And that can still be shaky. Also on my Fiesta ST, I use Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires for the winter and Bridgestone Potenza for my summer tires. No issues at all.
  • TCowner We've had a 64.5 Mustang in the family for the past 40 years. It is all original, Rangoon Red coupe with 289 (one of the first instead of the 260), Rally Pac, 4-speed, factory air, every option. Always gets smiles and thumbs ups.
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