By Robert R Guio

Honda may be preparing to revisit one of its most unusual ideas: turning the Accord into a taller, more practical crossover. A new report says the company is considering an “Accord SUV” aimed directly at Subaru Outback buyers.

The proposed model would reportedly use a lifted hatchback body rather than becoming another upright family SUV. Production could begin around mid-2029 at Honda’s Marysville, Ohio, plant, alongside a new generation of the Accord sedan.

Nothing has been confirmed by Honda, and a 2029 launch leaves time for plans to change. Still, the idea fits Honda’s renewed emphasis on hybrids and could fill an open space between the CR-V and Passport.

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Why a Lifted Honda Accord Makes Sense

The Subaru Outback built its reputation by combining carlike comfort with standard all-wheel drive, useful cargo space and enough ground clearance for snow, gravel and rough trailhead roads. The redesigned 2026 Outback has moved toward a more conventional SUV shape, creating an opportunity for buyers who still prefer something lower, longer and more wagon-like.

That is where an Accord-based crossover could stand apart. The current Accord offers a roomy cabin, a composed highway ride and 16.7 cubic feet of trunk space. Replacing the trunk with a large hatch, adding a taller roof and raising the suspension could preserve those road manners while making the vehicle easier to load.

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Honda Has the Hybrid Hardware Coming

The timing matches Honda’s official product strategy. Honda says it will begin launching next-generation hybrid models in 2027 using an all-new platform and hybrid system. It plans 15 next-generation hybrids globally by the end of the fiscal year ending March 2030, with North America as a priority.

The report says an Accord SUV would share that future technology with the next Accord sedan. Honda has also discussed a new electric all-wheel-drive unit, which would be essential for competing seriously with the Outback rather than simply dressing an Accord in black cladding.

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The Crosstour Idea May Have Arrived Too Early

Honda has tried this before. The Accord Crosstour arrived for the 2010 model year with a raised ride height, a sloping hatch and available all-wheel drive. It was discontinued after 2015 following weak sales.

The problem may have been timing as much as execution. The Crosstour appeared when buyers still understood sedans, wagons and SUVs as separate categories. Today, successful crossovers mix those ideas together. Even so, Honda should avoid the Crosstour’s cramped-looking rear styling and preserve useful cargo room.

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Where It Would Fit in Honda’s SUV Lineup

The CR-V covers the heart of the compact crossover market, while the Passport offers a larger body, a V6 and more serious trail capability. A lifted Accord could sit between them with better fuel economy, a quieter road-trip personality and more cargo flexibility than the sedan.

It would not need to beat the Passport off-road. It would need to feel secure in winter, comfortable over long distances and genuinely useful with the rear seats folded. Pricing would matter. An Accord SUV priced too close to the Passport could become another clever Honda without a clear audience.

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Could Honda Really Pull Buyers From Subaru?

Honda has the recognition, hybrid experience and American manufacturing base to make this work. The harder challenge is cultural. Subaru buyers often choose the Outback for its standard all-wheel drive, practical shape and outdoors-oriented identity, not simply because it is a midsize vehicle with a hatch.

A successful Accord SUV would need more than a familiar badge. It would need a distinct personality, honest capability and the restraint to remain wagon-like rather than becoming another tall crossover. If Honda gets that balance right, the old Crosstour formula could finally meet the market it was waiting for.