Honda's All-New Flagship SUV Arrives, Designed Specifically for the Southeast Asian Market!

If you have been paying attention to the changes in the automotive market in recent years, you will find that the competition Honda faces in Asia is completely different from the past. In the past, when talking about family SUVs, many people would immediately think of classic models such as CR-V and HR-V. However, as more Chinese brands aggressively enter the market, consumer choices have become more numerous, forcing Honda to accelerate its product planning.

According to overseas media reports, Honda is developing an all-new three-row seven-seater SUV, which will be positioned higher than the existing CR-V and is expected to be called Avancier, becoming Honda's flagship SUV in the Southeast Asian market in the future.

Unlike the existing Avancier (Avancier) in the Chinese market, the newly revealed car is not developed for China, but is designed around the needs of Southeast Asian consumers. Reports indicate that the new car will be produced in Thailand in the future, with production expected to start as early as 2027.

From the exposed data, this new car will be a relatively large SUV, with a length of about 4960mm, width of 1950mm, and height of about 1690mm. The overall dimensions are comparable to large seven-seater SUVs like the Mazda CX-80.

The powertrain will be a major focus of this car. Reports indicate that Honda is likely to directly abandon the pure fuel version and only provide the Hybrid version. It is expected to be equipped with an upgraded e:HEV system, combining a brand-new 2.0L four-cylinder engine with a higher-output motor, while also incorporating S+ Shift simulation shifting technology to give Hybrid models a driving feel closer to traditional transmissions during acceleration.

Apart from power upgrades, the new car is also expected to adopt Honda's newly developed next-generation mid-size modular platform. Officials previously revealed that this new platform will have a more lightweight structure and higher rigidity performance, preparing for future Hybrid and electrified models.

In addition to the Southeast Asian market, this Avancier is also expected to be sold in Japan in the future and is expected to fill the market gap left by the soon-to-be-discontinued Odyssey.

For Honda, the importance of this car is not just about filling the product gap. Because currently, many Chinese brands have started to treat large SUVs as their main products, with many models even having six-seat, seven-seat layouts and rich technological configurations. Therefore, Honda launching a flagship SUV with a higher positioning and larger space can be said to be a strategic move to meet market demand.

Although there is still some time before the official debut, this Avancier is expected to directly challenge Mazda CX-80, Hyundai Santa Fe, and a host of large SUVs from Chinese brands.