The Honda Crossroad (ホンダクロスロード, Honda Kurosurōdo) is an automobile nameplate used by two SUVs sold by Honda only in Japan. The first one is a rebadged Land Rover Discovery sold in Japan between 1993 and 1998,[1] while the second version is a more compact crossover vehicle introduced in 2007.
| Honda Crossroad | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Honda |
| Production | 1993–1998 2007–2010 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mid-size SUV (First generation) Compact crossover (Second generation) |
| Body style | 5-door SUV |
| Layout | FR/4WD FF/4WD |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Honda CR-V |
First generation (LJ/LJJ; 1993)
edit| First generation | |
|---|---|
 1994 LJ/LJJ Honda Crossroad | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Rover Company (Solihull plant)[2] |
| Model code | LJ/LJJ |
| Also called | Land Rover Discovery Series I |
| Production | 1993–1998 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mid-size SUV |
| Body style | 5-door SUV |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive Front-engine, four-wheel-drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.9 L Rover 3.9 V8 (gasoline) |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,540 mm (100.0 in) |
| Length | 4,535 mm (178.5 in) |
| Width | 1,800 mm (70.9 in) |
| Height | 1,950 mm (76.8 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,970 kg (4,340 lb) |
Honda marketed the Crossroad (model code LJ, stylized as Cro$$road)[3] in the Japanese market from October 13, 1993 to 1998[4][5][6] — as a rebadged Land Rover Discovery Series I. To date, the Crossroad is the only production vehicle sold by Honda to ever have a V8 engine.[1] The 3.9-liter Rover unit produces 180 PS (132 kW) at 4,750 rpm.[4]
The Crossroad was introduced to compete with popular off-roaders offered by Toyota, Isuzu, Nissan and Mitsubishi;[3] it was initially marketed in 3- and 5-door variants; and was manufactured at Rover's Solihull plant.[4]
At the end of July 1994, the Crossroad was updated with added safety equipment including twin front airbags, standard ABS, door beams.[7] Front and rear anti-roll bars were also added, while the grille and aluminum wheels were redesigned and the dashboard was revised. The three-door model was discontinued and a new (five-door) ES model was released, with additional equipment including full leather, double electric sunroofs, cruise control, and a separate air conditioning system for the rear seat.[7] In March 1996, Honda announced a 25-percent price reduction for the base V8i model along with some equipment cuts, such as removing the third row of seats, making the car a five-seater.[8] The model code was changed to LJJ at this time.[9]
Problems had emerged regarding the marketing of the Crossroad. For instance, Honda had threatened to end ties with Rover after the news that it was going to be sold to BMW.[10] In 1997, a recall was issued by Honda on the advice of Ministry of Transportation due to a malfunction locking mechanism on the SUV's driver-side front door that could make the door open while driving.[11] Around 4,754 vehicles made from July 1995 to December 1996 were affected by the recall.[11]
Second generation (RT; 2007)
edit| Second generation | |
|---|---|
 Honda Crossroad (RT) | |
| Overview | |
| Model code | RT1/2/3/4 |
| Production | 2007–2010 |
| Designer | Takehiro Ishibashi and Yosuke Tokoro[12] |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact SUV |
| Body style | 5-door SUV |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive Front-engine, all-wheel-drive |
| Related | Honda Stream (second generation) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm (106.3 in) |
| Length | 4,285 mm (168.7 in) |
| Width | 1,775 mm (69.9 in) |
| Height | 1,669 mm (65.7 in) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Honda Vezel Honda CR-V |
The Crossroad name was resurrected as a new crossover SUV for the Japanese market on February 23, 2007.[13] The vehicle combines the exterior design of an SUV with the convenient size of a compact car and the 3-row seating and 7-passenger capacity.[14] The Crossroad is designed for people to enjoy their active new lifestyles, targeting young couples in their 20s and 30s with small children.[14][15]
Under the hood, the Crossroad sports one of two straight-4 engines of 1.8 L and 2.0 L in displacement. Power outputs are 140 and 150 PS (103 and 110 kW) respectively. Both were mated to the only available transmission: a 5-speed automatic. Honda's Real-Time AWD system has been thoroughly revised for the Crossroad. It now works in conjunction with stability and traction control as well as ABS brakes. For the first time in a Honda, the Crossroad will be equipped with Hill-Start Assist which temporarily maintains brake pressure after the brake pedal is released when starting on a hill. Under normal driving conditions, the Crossroad behaves as a FWD vehicle.
According to AutoWeek, Honda said it won't import the Crossroad to North America, since their similarly sized Element takes its place.[16] Honda's crossover SUV lineup in the United States and Canada already has the Element, the mid-priced CR-V and the larger Pilot, as all three models are made in North America.
It was reported that Honda did not export the Crossroad to Europe because of a voluntary commitment by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association to reduce average CO2 emissions in its European fleet to 140 grams per kilometer by 2009.[17] As a result, Honda was reluctant to offer larger vehicles without technological breakthrough.[17]
On August 25, 2010, Honda announced the discontinuation of the Crossroad.[18]
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Rear view -
Interior
References
edit
- ^ a b Golden, Conner (2020-04-20), "The Honda Crossroad Must Be the Weirdest, Most Unreliable Honda of All Time", Automobile, Motor Trend Group, LLC., archived from the original on 2022-12-08
- ^ Harrison, Michael (1993-11-08). "Land-Rover on track to enter new pastures: Michael Harrison on a breakthrough that reverses the European trend of laying off workers". The Independent. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
- ^ a b Fitzgerald, Greg (2022-12-16). "Crossroad: The Land Rover That Was a Honda". RoverParts.com. Atlantic British Ltd. Archived from the original on 2023-08-23.
- ^ a b c "上質なつくりの四輪駆動車「クロスロード」を発売" [High-quality four-wheel drive vehicle "Crossroad" released] (Press release) (in Japanese). Honda Motor Co., Ltd. 1993-10-13. Archived from the original on 2009-12-12.
- ^ "First Looks: Honda Crossroad". Motor Trader. Archived from the original on 2012-03-01. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
- ^ Harrison, Michael (1994-02-22). "Divorce will cost both partners dear". The Independent. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
- ^ a b "上質なつくりの高性能フルタイム4WD車 クロスロードの安全装備、内外装を充実させ発売" [A high-performance full-time 4WD vehicle with high-quality construction] (Press release) (in Japanese). Honda Motor Co., Ltd. 1994-07-28. Archived from the original on 2023-08-24.
- ^ "クロスロードに「V8i 5ドア」タイプを追加し発売" [Release of new Crossroad model "V8i 5 door"] (Press release) (in Japanese). Honda Motor Co., Ltd. 1996-02-29. Archived from the original on 2004-12-11.
- ^ "ホンダクロスロード (1993年10月～1998年12月生産モデル)" [Honda Crossroad (October 1993 - December 1998)]. CarSensor.net (in Japanese). Recruit Co., Ltd. Archived from the original on 2022-05-28.
- ^ Harrison, Michael (1994-02-03). "Honda to decide next week if it will sever ties with Rover". The Independent. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
- ^ a b Dever, Paul (1997-02-24). "Rover Japan Recalls Land Rover Discovery and Honda Crossroad". Kyodo News. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
- ^ "Passenger Car".
- ^ "新型車「クロスロード」を発売".
- ^ a b Nicusor, Blas (22 February 2007). "2007 Honda Crossroad". www.topspeed.com. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
- ^ Terada, Shinichi (23 February 2007). "Honda tries to reverse sales decline with Crossroad SUV". The Japan Times Online. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
- ^ "Crossroad Won't Cross Over". AutoWeek. Archived from the original on August 4, 2011. Retrieved February 27, 2007.
- ^ a b Treece, James (5 March 2007). "CO2 rules keep Honda's Crossroad out of Europe". Automotive News Europe. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
- ^ "Crossroad Discontinued". Honda Japan. Retrieved August 25, 2010.