Honda CR-V built for off-road adventures

When adventurous individuals seek to modify vehicles for extreme off-roading and exploring remote locations, dual-cab utes like the Ford Ranger or the 4x4s like the Toyota Prado are top of the list.

As it turns out, you can transform a Honda CR-V into a rugged mudslinger with enough time and effort, as evidenced in the 2020 Honda CR-V Dream build.

As part of Honda's exhibit at the 2019 SEMA show, or Specialty Equipment Market Association, in Las Vegas, the jacked-up Honda has a 1.5-inch lift kit to improve ground clearance and avoid obstacles and surface deformations not usually found on the school run.

Okay, so this is no Ranger Raptor and its automatic CVT and part-time AWD system may not cut the mustard when you need locking front hubs.

Chuck in a revised front apron with LEDs, side steps, a rear-mounted spare tyre and jerry can however, and this CR-V should be capable of getting further off-road than most garden-variety medium-sized SUVs.

New 17-inch alloy wheels with chunky off-road tyres and a customised cargo area with slide-out fridge and storage boxes are designed to ensure the vehicle can operate in remote areas where food and fuel are scarce.

You can even sleep in this Honda CR-V, thanks to the modular roof rack fitted with a clam shell style rooftop tent.

Honda will show off several other builds at the 2019 SEMA show including another CR-V Do (Subaru take note!) that features a similar setup to the CR-V above, only with an esky and a mountain bike on the roof rack.

There are a couple of classics on display in Las Vegas too, including a 1968 Honda S800 Coupe dubbed Outlaw.

One of the first Honda production cars to roll off the factory line in Japan, the compact machine gets a few upgrades such as a GReddy exhaust system with central end pipes and a custom body kit by Pandem. Pumped wheel arches increase the stocky coupe's width by 4-inches and it rides 2-inches closer to the ground.

A heavily modified Honda N600 will also be on show, and there could be parallels drawn with the new Honda e EV – which unfortunately has been ruled out for Australia.

Anyway, the 1972 Honda N600 was a five-year build and is powered by a high-revving motorcycle engine. The Honda VFR V4 motorcycle engine is an 800cc unit with a 12,000rpm rev-limit that delivers a unique voice to the tiny machine.

The rear-drive machine rides on modified Mazda MX-5 suspension.

Honda will also have Ridgeline ute and Honda Civic Si builds for the 2019 SEMA show in Las Vegas.