It Looks Like Honda Is Coming After a Big-Time Subaru Mainstay

Could the awesomely quirky Honda Accord Crosstour be on the path to making a comeback?

Close-up of red Honda Accord Crosstour rear with chrome badges and taillight.

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Published May 7, 2026

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Updated May 14, 2026

Honda is apparently taking aim at Subaru with one of its latest crossover SUVs. New spy shots just surfaced of a unique-looking Honda prototype that’s giving off rugged SUV vibes. And it suggests the Japanese Big H could be looking to rival the Subaru Outback.

While it’s very much too early to tell, speculation implies that Honda might be continuing to shift its product strategy towards the growing soft-roader trend.

Is Honda finally jumping on the overlanding trend?

SUV covered in black and white camouflage wrap parked in a lot with the driver's door open and a person leaning inside. — Could this be a new Honda Accord Crosstour revival?

It’s no secret that overlanding and soft-roading are hotter than ever these days. It provides affordable and flexible ways to explore the great outdoors, without having to jump to an expensive dedicated four-by rig that might be overkill.

It’s a little niche where automakers like Subaru have enjoyed profound success. (Just look at the Outback and Forester SUVs.) It even found more success as it leaned into the formula with the Wilderness variants.

Others are catching on, with brands producing their own soft-roader-like variants of some preexisting popular models. Some examples include Hyundai’s recent XRT trim models, Nissan’s Rock Creek models and even Honda’s latest TrailSport variants.

Honda introduced the Avancier specifically for the Chinese market in 2016.

GAC Honda

Now, Honda may be building a purpose-built model aimed directly at the same buyer group that goes after the Subaru Outback and similar models.

According to additional speculation, word suggests the new model could take form as a next-gen Honda Avancier. If you’re wondering what the Avancier is, it’s basically an elongated CR-V with a sloping roofline, designed and built specifically for the Chinese market.

Could this be Honda’s second crack at an Accord Crosstour?

Two Honda Avancier SUVs, one silver and one black, parked on a paved area with hills and houses in the background. — The Honda Avancier is basically an elongated CR-V with a sloping, wagon-like roofline.

Introduced in 2016, the Avancier is a collaboration between China’s GAC and Honda’s China division. With the model turning a decade old this year, the brands are looking at introducing a next-gen model in the near future.

Originally, Honda used the Avancier nameplate to designate the original Japanese Domestic Market Accord wagon in 1999. It remained in production until 2003, which is when Honda renamed the model the “Accord Wagon.”

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While the Avancier is specific to China, it’s possible Honda could expand its availability to the European and even North American markets. With wagons once again gaining popularity, and with Subaru already proving that lifted wagons like the Outback are certainly sellers, Honda could be looking to grab a piece of the action.

Not much else is known. But the rumors also suggest the new Avancier will come with Honda’s latest gas-electric hybrid powertrain, which aligns with the automaker’s recent focus on the technology.

Silver Honda Avancier SUV driving on a city street with black grille and LED headlights. — Could a next-gen Avancier spawn a new-gen Accord Crosstour? We hope so.

Such a prospect of a lifted wagon could also be Honda’s attempt at reviving the Accord Crosstour. Previously, Honda produced a very unique, long roof variant of the eight-generation Accord.

It was the closest thing to a modern Honda Accord wagon that America’s ever gotten after the new millennium. Although somewhat short lived with production spanning between 2010 and 2015, the Accord Crosstour gained a huge cult following and remains desirable among fans today.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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