Honda plans to build a lifted crossover using its standard sedan architecture. Leaked documents show the automaker tentatively calling the vehicle the “Accord SUV” behind closed doors. Production should begin in mid-2029. The crossover pairs a sloping design with high clearance—giving current sedan owners exactly the roomy upgrade they were looking for. It offers extra utility to buyers who don’t want bulky trucks.
The company essentially wants to resurrect the old Accord Crosstour concept to bridge a market gap. Between the compact CR-V and the larger Passport, engineers positioned the new vehicle as a natural stepping stone.
The Marysville plant in Ohio will likely manufacture the car. The facility, according to an Automotive News report, currently builds the base sedan. Engineers retained the long-wheelbase platform for the new project. But they plan to add larger components to support the rugged shape. And the model will arrive alongside a redesigned sedan during the 2029 product cycle.
Honda will equip the lifted hatchback with a hybrid powertrain. A new battery pack powers the twin drive units. The electrical system features a direct-drive motor and a separate generator. With this hardware setup, the automaker targets Outback buyers. Subaru recently shifted its own flagship wagon toward a traditional format. So, Honda designed the upcoming Accord as a direct counter-maneuver.
Toyota currently competes in that exact niche with the Crown Signia. It’s a modern successor to a previous failure. Back in 2010, Honda launched the original Crosstour. The Liberty plant produced the hatchback initially. American sales peaked at 28,851 units during that launch window. Deliveries crashed to just 11,802 units before executives axed the project in 2015.
They’ve clearly decided to expand their portfolio. Honda plans to launch 15 hybrid models globally by 2030. The entire Accord nameplate will become hybrid-only in 2031. Rumors suggest the boxy Element will also return in 2029. The separate model will slot between the HR-V and CR-V. Acura reportedly plans a large SUV positioned above the MDX.
Component Sharing Mitigates Platform Expansion Risks
To be fair, the crossover offers a low-risk expansion plan for the Japanese automaker. Because the factory uses existing components, development costs remain extremely low. Honda successfully avoids the billion-dollar investments required for clean-sheet architectures. The brand can gauge consumer appetite without risking a massive retooling phase. If buyers ignore the segment, the assembly line simply shifts production capacity back to the standard sedan.