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 rebadgedLand Rover Discovery sold in Japan between 1993 and 1998,[1] while the second version is a more compact crossover vehicle introduced in 2007.
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] 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] The Crossroad was initially sold in 3- and 5-door variants, manufactured at Rover's Solihull plant.[4]
At the end of July 1994, the Crossroad was updated with added safety equipment like 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 vehicle open while driving.[11] Around 4,754 vehicles made from July 1995 to December 1996 were affected by the recall.[11]
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-4engines 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]
^ abc"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.
^"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.
