Honda has given dealers an early look at several upcoming models, and there's quite a bit to look forward to. The seventh-generation CR-V is getting a major redesign and will drop gasoline-only powertrains, while the Accord is set for a substantial facelift. There's also a new Pilot on the horizon, a tougher-looking Ridgeline, and perhaps the biggest surprise of all: the return of the quirky Element.
The previews took place during a dealer meeting in Las Vegas earlier this week. Although Honda hasn't officially released images or technical specifications, retailers who attended the event shared some juicy tidbits with Automotive News. The biggest surprise from the dealer meeting was confirmation that Honda is working on bringing back the Element.
Production of the original Element ended in 2011, but Honda apparently believes there's still room for another quirky SUV. Dealers were shown a silhouette that reportedly retains the original's boxy proportions and even the rear-hinged doors. Honda didn't provide a launch date, but insiders claim production will get underway in Q2 2029.
The revived Element is expected to be an adventure-oriented hybrid crossover positioned between CR-V and HR-V. Honda is targeting younger buyers and urban adventurers, with all-wheel drive at least as an option being an educated guess. As many as 100,000 vehicles are reportedly planned for its first full year of production.
That's an ambitious target for a nameplate that has been dormant for 18 years. Still, bringing back some of the original's personality could give Honda something different in an SUV market increasingly filled with lookalike crossovers.
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