TSX69

Accord Based CrossOver SpyShots Released (click for pic)

Date: November 24, 2008 10:27
Submitted by: Jeff
Source: Brenda Priddy & Co
Credibility Rating: Not Specified


This just in from Brenda Priddy & Co:
Michigan's first snow has also brought the first look at this development vehicle for an ALL-NEW Honda crossover vehicle! An Accord-based crossover vehicle has been rumored for quite a while now and these pics are the first proof the project has finally been green-lighted.

At first glance, this vehicle may look like nothing more than the European Honda Accord Tourer. Closer inspection reveals that is not the case. For starters, the U.S. market Honda Accord front end has been grafted onto the body. While most of the body on this mule is non-production, this front end may actually be close to the final design of the nose we see on the production CUV.

We can also see fender flares that have been tacked onto the body and covered with tape that matches the color of the paint. These flares indicate that the wheel track has been widened slightly. Looking directly behind the rear doors, it quickly becomes apparent that a few extra inches of sheet metal and glass have been added to the body, suggesting the final product will be a few inches longer than the current European Accord Tourer. This development vehicle is also riding higher than a standard Accord Tourer and actually resembles and Audi allroad in person.

Based on the Honda Accord chassis, this all-new crossover vehicle will start production in the 4th quarter of 2009 at the Marysville or East Liberty factory. We've been told to expect a concept vehicle that foreshadows this new Accord CUV at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. The Accord CUV will slot in-between CR-V and Pilot and will look to do battle with Toyota's new Venza CUV.

Powertrains are not yet known, but the motors currently found in the USDM Accord seem like a likely bet. We observed this mule testing alongside an Acura RDX. We also noted this mule accelerated rather briskly, so the 2.3L, four-cylinder turbo motor from the RDX may have a chance of making it into the Accord CUV.

One thing we CAN say for sure about this vehicle is that AWD will be an option. A close look at photo #5 reveals that this prototype has a rear differential. More than likely, this means the car has Honda's VTM-4 AWD system.

"Latitude" is one name rumored for the badge on the back of this new CUV. Though that now seems less likely as Honda allowed that trademark to expire many months ago.

Look for more details to surface as we near NAIAS 2009.

Photo Credit: Chris Doane/Brenda Priddy & Co.

SG81

iTrader: (1)

the front is not bad at all

LuvMyTSX

Interesting, although I prefer the Accord Tourer from Europe. I think it's a good addition for Honda, nonetheless. Hopefully the mpg is decent.

Moog-Type-S

Why not just build a wagon?

Moog-Type-S

I'll post the pic here for more comments.

phile

don't know why they feel they had to hunker it down with the AWD system and call it a CUV. It's not like this thing is going to sell any better if you call it a CUV instead of a wagon. Hope they learned from the Ford Flex.

chill_dog

Looks nice.

TSX69

I cannot remember if she commented on this board or not but Brenda Priddy gets upset when we post her pictures on sites that did not pay for them so that is why I did not post them here but instead provided a link ....

Black Tire

Subaru copy and paste.

Fishy

I like it for replacing my Pathfinder. The wifey wants a Forester but I think the Subaru's are fugly.

phile

the new Forester is nice

LuvMyTSX

More photos
http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-accord-crossover.html

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

Look how nice that looks no way its an Acura.

phile

it's wearing the body of the Euro Accord (the wagon)/aka US Acura TSX (in sedan form), that's why it "looks" like an Acura.

dom

Venza fighter.

And I doubt it will have that front end.

Infamous425

no more cuv's... bring back the prelude

Moog-Type-S

Well if that's it, then Venza wins.

That Honda CUV is a boat-load of vanilla.

Let's hope they change the front....but please no Acura beak

Ken1997TL

LuvMyTSX

It's all a matter of personal taste. I for one think this Honda wagon looks much better than the Venza. IMO the Venza is a mix of ugly and boring.

Moog-Type-S

Sure it's a matter of taste.

...but the Venza is a completely new model...it's not a "Camry wagon".
The interior is not from the Camry. It's not a "rebadge"...if you will.

The Honda looks like an Accord.....maybe they will change the front end
I'll bet my coin that the interior is straight out of the Accord too.

...again it's not a bad thing per se.....it's just a repeat of the same old designs.....which people have been screaming about for years from Honda.
Acura's that look like big Accords...etc and so on.

I get the feeling from Honda that they are like the old GM....rebadged or cars that are very similar in look from one to another. Not a whole lotta excitement.

....or maybe I'm just jaded with all the craptastic designs that have come from Honda/Acura over the past years.

I like Honda....I just think they have lost sight of how great they used to be.
I hope they can regain their "excitement".

....and yes...bring back the "lude".

LuvMyTSX

I agree, the front could and should be different so it doesn't look like an Accord wagon. But just because the Venza has its own styling doesn't mean it looks better. I think it looks like total crap, actually. Honda's designs have been disappointing me, as well, and I really hope they can improve in the next few years.

I've been noticing a lot of crappy designs coming out lately. I'm not liking anything Nissan has out, and the same for Toyota and a good number of most of the brands. It's really slim picking out there, which sucks.

And yes, bring back the 'lude.

krio

Great job TSX, you are often the first getting news about acura/honda brands...

krio

yep, be uglier than before was really impossible, even for Subaru

dom

Lets think about this for a second. Most if not all test mules or near production vehicles caught testing are fully camouflaged. This one isn't. So that tells me that front end is basically camo. What better way to hide whats beneath.....

Similar to the RL caught testing a few months back that looked like a streched TSX.

krio

the rear of the car is 100% the back of the european Honda Accord Tourer, that is the Acura TSX, only the front is like the american accord.
They talk about the 2.3T, but for what reason? They have already the 268 3.5L...?

krio

Seems that Acura/Honda are working at the same time at this Honda CUV and at the Acura one's.
They seems almost ready, for be presented both at Detroit 2009...?

TL CHROMETIDE

I like that wagon look. Honda Magnum anyone?

TL1999

station wagon is back???

fsttyms1

Looks nice

TMQ

I don't get it. What's so special about Venza? yes it's another choice, and it's pretty stylish, but in terms of utility, even the RAV4 offers an optional third row, albeit a tiny one. I guess this is really the Toyota version of Lexus RX. Murano competitor.

I hope that the Accord based CUV has an OPTIONAL third row. If it has a turbo, let's hope it's better than the one in the RDX, but it probably is really no match for Toyota's V6. I'd be happy with a 6sp manual, I4, 7 seater Honda CUV. Hill start assist will be nice to have.

Yumcha

Looks nice!

biker

Why not? The CUV is akin to the current situation where everyone is just slowing down the inevitable bottom that's coming in the economic cycle. The SUV fad was just that, a fad. It took high gas prices and now an economic downturn for folks to realize that they don't really need a $35K 4000+lb vehicle for their everyday needs. And borrowing throughout life for all their wants is not a good idea.

A $25K wagon that weighs less than 3500lbs (so a 170HP 4 cyl will be adequate) with enough room for the family is what most people need. Considering that the USDM Accord is already a full sized sedan, I assume the wagon will have plenty of cargo room. Subjective looks aside, this could really cut into the Pilot sales. And with AWD available for the folks that really need it, there's no real reason to spend more on a Pilot.

No, the SUV/CUV won't go away - but there was never a reason for them to be every other vehicle bought.

JediMindTricks

well...it looks good, but it's not exciting. it's plain and safe. but i guess that's what you'd expect from honda anyways.

that it'd be cool if it was just a wagon instead of another CUV. but then again, i'm a big fan of wagons.

and +1 for the bringing back the prelude.

dom

Looks like a wagon, we all know its a wagon but it will not be marketed as a wagon.

That much we do know.

Moog-Type-S

It should be "lower" and market this as a sport wagon. PERIOD.

The last think Honda needs is another SUV/CUV.
Ridgeline, Pilot, CRV, Element....yea....Honda needs another one.

Bring back the wagon!!.....and the 'lude.

dom

I guess I'm the only one that sees room for this thing and the Venza in their respective lineup's. The Pilot and Highlander are too truckish and thirsty. The CR-V and Rav too small. (I don't care if it has a 3rd row its tiny) So these things should fit in nicely and will sell well IMO.

The Element is a niche product for a few eccentric's. It doesn't even count.

Moog-Type-S

^^ As a wagon

As a CUV

LuvMyTSX

I agree on the sport wagon. I think that'd be cool.

Moog-Type-S

Problem solved....bring it stateside, Honda.

dom

Whatever it is or called, it will sell IMO.