Honda brought something a little different to the 2013 North American International Auto Show: a sporty midsize Urban SUV concept with designs on competing with the quirky Nissan Juke. With a long history of success with small cars, Honda is hoping its reputation will help find the Urban SUV Concept an audience — even with no announced specs. Honda plans to have the production version hit showroom floors in Japan before 2013 ends, with an American launch in 2014.
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Honda Urban SUV Concept
What is it? A small SUV with an emphasis on fun driving dynamics and standout design.
What's hot? Slated to be priced below the CR-V, the Urban SUV Concept could offer comfort, convenience and fun at a bargain price.
What's not? The design aesthetic is a little love/hate; a release date with no details on powertrain doesn't exactly inspire confidence.
How much and when? The Urban SUV Concept will be refined and named in time for a 2014 American release date. No information on potential pricing is available beyond Honda's statement that it will sit below the CR-V.
MSN Autos' verdict: Those who like the idea of a compact SUV but find the Nissan Juke's styling too startling should find enough to love in Honda's take. With the right amount of power, the Urban SUV Concept has the potential of cheap fun with a nice fuel-economy streak.
James Tate cut his teeth in the business as a race team crew member before moving to the editorial side as Senior Editor of Sport Compact Car, and his work has appeared in Popular Mechanics, Automobile, Motor Trend and European Car. When not writing, Tate is usually fantasizing about a vintage Porsche 911.
