Honda slates compact SUV for 2014 production (pictures)
At the 2013 Detroit auto show, Honda debuted its Urban SUV concept, a precursor to a new model that comes in below the CR-V, and is expected to go into production in 2014.
Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
DETROIT--With the Urban SUV concept, Honda looks at how it might expand its model lineup, adding a car in the growing compact SUV segment. The Urban SUV comes in at 9 inches shorter than the CR-V.
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Honda did not specify any drivetrain components for the Urban SUV, merely saying it would take advantage of the company's new Earth Dreams initiative, which is focused on developing new, fuel efficient engines. Given the size of the Urban SUV, a production model would probably use a four-cylinder engine, and with direct injection it could come in at 1.8 or 1.6 liters and still provide plenty of power for this little urban runabout.
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Honda showed the Urban SUV concept with LED headlights, but a spokesperson said this type of front lighting would not necessarily make it to a production vehicle.
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The rear door handles blend into the piano black of the C pillars. Although the car was not open for inspection, Honda says it put the same sort of Magic Seats it uses in the Fit in this concept. As such, they fold off the floor and out of the way, maximizing rear cargo space.
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The side graphics, rear pillars, and liftgate show some resemblance to the current CR-V, solidifying Honda's SUV design language, although some of the sculpting in the sides and around the taillights looks like new styling. Honda's recent concepts have been very near production, and as this vehicle should be coming out as a 2014 or 2015 model year vehicle, expect the Urban SUV to be little changed when it hits the road.
