Acura Could Go Super-Small With an HR-V-Based Crossover

As the crossover continues to dominate the automotive landscape, automakers are finding new ways to make these people haulers fit people’s daily lives. One such recent change was to make them even smaller. With this came the arrival of the FIAT 500X, Honda HR-V, Toyota C-HR, and more. Now, this trend is bleeding into the luxury segment, as Acura seems primed to join Lexus, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes in creating tiny crossovers.

With tiny crossovers like the BMW X1, Mercedes GLA, Audi Q3, and Lexus NX raking in sales, it’s only a matter of time before Acura decides to join in. And a new report from Wards Auto shows that it may happen sooner rather than later, as it’s considering importing the Honda HR-V-based, China-exclusive Acura CDX to the U.S.

Jon Ikeda, group vice president of Acura U.S. told Wards, “It’s a model that interests a lot of our people, so we have our R&D guys looking into the possibility.” He did, however, stress that bringing the CDX to the U.S. isn’t as simple as stuffing it on a boat and shipping it over, as there are lots of regulatory (Read: emissions and safety) issues that Acura must first address. But it is “in discussion.”

The CDX is based on the popular Honda HR-V, but It’s Acura-fied in all the ways that truly matter. Instead of the underpowered 1.8-liter engine in the U.S.-spec HR-V, the CDX uses a retooled version of the Civic’s 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that produces 182 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. This four-pot pairs with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

That output would put the CDX just under the current last-place finisher in its class here in the States: the 200-horsepower Audi Q3. But this 1.5-liter is clearly very open to retuning, and hitting more than 200 horsepower is no issue – just as the Civic Si.

Stay tuned for updates.