2025 Honda Avancier flagship SUV a chance for Oz

Honda could be gearing up to add yet another SUV to its local line-up, this time at the top of the range above the small HR-V and mid-size ZR-V and CR-V.

The Japanese brand recently filed a trademark application for the ‘Avancier’ nameplate – the title bestowed upon a large coupe-style SUV built and sold in China – with IP Australia exclusively under Class 12 (automobiles and their parts and fittings).

A quick snoop around Honda’s global catalogues reveals there are actually two versions of the Avancier: one produced by Guangqi Honda and the UR-V built by Dongfeng Honda.

The models are nearly identical in terms of both design and mechanicals, so it’s not unclear why Honda offers two versions of the same car with different production partners (GAC and Dongfeng) in the same market.

Whatever the case, the Aussie trademark application suggests Honda could be looking to export its second-generation Avancier, which could go global after it debuts in 2025 or 2026 based on previous timelines.

Since its initial reveal and release in 2017, the Avancier has been treated to two facelifts, most recently last year.

Underpinned by a version of the Honda Accord platform, the current Avancier measures 4858mm long, 1942mm wide, 1675mm tall and rides on a 2820mm wheelbase, making it considerably larger (+154mm, +76mm, +6mm, +119mm) than the latest CR-V.

It’s a similar story under the bonnet too.

The base powerplant is the familiar 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder as seen in the CR-V, outputting 138kW/243Nm and driving the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission.

Also available in China is a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine good for 192kW/370Nm – significantly more power and torque than any CR-V or indeed any other locally offered Honda besides the Civic Type R hot hatch – driving all four wheels via nine-speed automatic.

The 2.0-litre variants double down on their obvious performance and grip advantages with adaptive dampers as standard.

Despite being the size of a Kia Sorento, the Avancier is strictly a five-seater – unlike the smaller CR-V, which is also available with seven seats – although it’s unclear whether that remains the case in the next generation.

The last seven-seat Honda SUV available in Australia was the long-lamented MDX, which continues to be sold as the Honda Pilot in North America and the Middle East. The fourth generation released in 2021 is closely related to the latest Acura MDX launched in late 2022 and both three-row SUVs are powered by petrol V6s.

As it stands, the Honda Avancier five-seater sold in China offers plenty of legroom in the second row and a 510-litre boot behind it – smaller than a traditional large SUV but perhaps not surprising given this model focusses more on luxury than practicality.

Headline equipment on even the base model includes power-adjustable front seats, keyless entry and start, remote start, tri-zone climate control, a seven-speaker sound system, 10.1-inch infotainment screen, perforated leather seat trim and a multi-function steering wheel.

Honda Australia has a strict policy of not commenting on its future product plans and there’s been no indication of any local plans for the Avancier.

But we wouldn’t be surprised if the big five-seater eventually makes its way to Australia as the flagship of the Japanese brand’s local line-up alongside the Accord, to capitalise on the SUV craze that continues to dominate auto markets globally.

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