You might not have heard, but there was a time when Honda and Nissan were considering a major merger. Had it worked out, we could have seen a whole new line-up of cars, including a full-size SUV from Honda, built on the Nissan Armada’s platform. This concept would have been based on the Nissan Armada/Patrol twins and could have revived Honda’s Horizon nameplate from the '90s. Unfortunately, the merger collapsed before it could come to life, leaving us wondering what could have been.
What Could Have Been?
The idea was for Honda to launch a new full-size SUV positioned above the Pilot in their lineup. Renderings by Theottle give us a glimpse of what it might have looked like, taking the Nissan Armada as a base and making some subtle design changes. The result? A sleek Honda SUV with a different front and rear fascia, designed to stand out in the crowded SUV market.
If this merger had worked out, Honda would have had a larger, more rugged SUV to compete with other big names in the market. The Pilot, while still a full-size three-row SUV, is built on a unibody platform. In contrast, the Nissan Armada, and by extension the proposed Honda model, would have been a more rugged body-on-frame SUV with a larger wheelbase and overall length.
Design Tweaks That Would Have Made a Difference
The changes to the Nissan Armada for the Honda model were relatively minor but impactful. For starters, the front grille would have been swapped out for a blacked-out Honda grille, leaving behind the familiar Nissan one. The headlights would have been smaller and more stylish, offering a more modern and sleek look. Even the rear end saw some changes, with tweaked C-pillars, the removal of the LED lightbar, and an updated LED signature in the taillights. A less rugged-looking bumper was also added, bringing a more polished finish to the SUV.
The Return of the Honda Horizon?
Had the merger happened, this new SUV could have resurrected the Honda Horizon nameplate, a name that hasn’t been used since the '90s and early 2000s when Honda sold a rebadged Isuzu Trooper under that name. It would have been a nod to the past, bringing back a name many might have remembered fondly. Sadly, it wasn’t meant to be.
What's Next for Honda?
While the Horizon name may not be coming back anytime soon, Honda is still pushing forward with new SUVs. The company is set to launch a new all-electric model next year, currently dubbed the "0 SUV." This SUV will be built on a brand-new platform, and it will join the 0 Saloon in Honda’s lineup. It’s not the Horizon we were hoping for, but it’s a step forward for Honda as they continue to innovate in the electric vehicle space.
