If you’re not familiar with Acura’s subcompact CDX crossover, take a gander at Honda’s HR-V and think of China. Right now, that’s the only country that gets to buy the HR-V-based utility, but things could change.
Acura is reportedly mulling a trans-Pacific journey for the little CUV as it takes stock of its meager U.S. utility lineup.
According to Wards Auto, the American public’s appetite for subcompact CUVs makes the CDX a ripe candidate for U.S. showrooms. With only the RDX and MDX available to buyers, there’s plenty of room to flesh out the brand’s utility lineup.
“It’s a model that interests a lot of our people, so we have our R&D guys looking into the possibility,” said Jon Ikeda, vice president of American Honda’s Acura division, during a recent media event.
Because the model was designed with China in mind, bringing it stateside isn’t as simple as hiring a few ships. Regulatory hurdles exist, but the company feels confident it can be approved for sale should the move get the corporate green light. The plan is “on the table … it’s in discussion,” Ikeda said.
The CDX, while obviously of Honda origin, adopts a corporate “Diamond Pentagon” grille and curvier sheet metal, as well as the Civic’s turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder. Power is transferred through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Were it to arrive here, there would be no shortage of competition. In the premium field, Mercedes-Benz’s GLA, BMW’s X1 and Infiniti’s QX30 wait as potential rivals.
The Honda HR-V hasn’t met with universal acclaim — TTAC’s Tim Cain called it the brand “worst current product” in a review that exposed a myriad of gripes, not the least of which was discomfort and price. Still, Honda sold over 82,000 of the little CUVs in 2016 — a figure Acura might have a hard time ignoring.
[Image: Honda Motor Company]
They’ll sell everyone…sigh…SUVs are a blight…
What vehicle would you suggest for someone who doesn’t want to hit their head every time they get in?
Oh, and it’s *every one. And *CUV.
[golfclap] Bravo! The Semantic-Typo Sheriff is in town, everybody! Hightail it outta here if you didn’t drink your coffee.
Whatever. Little Fart Cars are a blight.
More crossovers.
More!
MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!
My gut tells me that these mini, upscale CUVs never really sell great. Speaking of, is the HR-V really selling well either?
Then again, Acura doesn’t seem to sell much these days beyond SUV/CUVs, so I guess why not. The brand could probably use a little injection of energy anyway.
The Buick Encore sells reasonably well, but it seems to be predominantly selling to the same blue-haired crowd who liked the Enclave but were only carrying around two people and a yappy dog.
I just don’t see many of the Encores at all, but I do agree on the average owner. No where near what they like you to believe on their advertisements.
Most “blue-hairs” don’t need anything the near the size of the Enclave which I gather sells mostly to soccer-moms.
Makes sense. Pricing would likely only be a bit higher than the Eggcore, and people are CUV crazy. The Honda 1.5T is already better than any of the competition’s entry level turbos, save for the Q3.
Combining the turbo with the DCT is interesting. We don’t have that combo available right now in the US.
So if HR-V started off floundering what makes you think this will be a hit?
Where did I say this would be “a hit”?
The HR-V sells fine right now, I’d expect the CDX to do the same.
The HRV flounders largely because it’s underpowered and not that comfortable. This vehicle solves both those issues. The only question is if they can bring it here without a hilariously high price.
Oh, GOODY…
Can’t wait for the Acura version of the Honda Ruckus!
Such a premium Honda Vejazzle.
Depending on how well this can cope with my wife’s ~33″ inseam and a rear facing infant seat, I must say my interest is quite piqued. This addresses pretty much everything that turns me off about the HR-V.
How’s the refinement? To make this compelling, they need to address NVH and ride much more comprehensively than they did when going Civic -> ILX. If they can make it as quiet as the TLX, it’ll be a winner, but when starting with an HR-V that’s a long way to go.
F*** you Acura.
That thing looks like its pregnant in the second shot.
In related news, the naked mole rat has evolved to live underground and can survive without oxygen and lives in social colonies organized around a queen, like ants. It doesn’t get cancer, feels no pain, and has terrible eyesight.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/40/Naked_mole_rat.jpg
That makes me sad.
You all realize this means there’s a sweet little sedan they won’t build. Instead a modern day Acura Integra, they’ve opted for a potato on wheels.