A Merger That Didn't Occur Might Have Resulted In This Honda | Carscoops

      The initial Honda Horizon, launched in the 1990s, was essentially a rebadged version of the Isuzu Trooper.

      Honda and Nissan's suggested merger had the potential to produce a full-size Honda SUV.

      This model could have revived the Horizon nameplate from the ’90s.

      Renderings showcase slight yet significant design modifications inspired by the Nissan Armada.

      Had the merger between Honda and Nissan not dramatically failed shortly after its announcement, we might have seen a new range of models from these two Japanese companies, including a full-size SUV from Honda based on the Nissan Armada and Patrol. If this unexpected alliance had succeeded, the outcome might have resembled this design.

      The renderings, developed by Theottle, take the Nissan Armada as a foundation to visualize what a full-size SUV bearing the Honda name might have appeared like. This new vehicle would have positioned itself above the Pilot in Honda’s lineup, potentially appealing to a completely new customer demographic.

      While both are categorized as full-size SUVs, the Pilot is a three-row variant with a wheelbase of 113.8 inches (2,891 mm) and an overall length of 199.9 inches (5,077 mm), built on a unibody frame. In contrast, the Armada is a robust body-on-frame SUV with a 121.1-inch (3,076 mm) wheelbase and a length of 209.6 inches (5,324 mm), marking a notable difference.

      It could have also brought back the Honda Horizon name, last used in the late ’90s and early 2000s when Honda marketed a rebadged Isuzu Trooper under that name.

      The design alterations made to the Nissan are fairly minor, involving updated front and rear fascias, but they significantly change the overall appearance of the SUV. The front end replaces the Armada’s grille with a blacked-out Honda grille, and the Nissan headlights are swapped for a set of smaller, more stylish versions that integrate smoothly with the grille.

      Similarly appealing changes have been made to the rear. The C-pillars have been reshaped, and the Armada’s LED lightbar has been removed. The taillight shape remains largely unchanged, but they now feature revised LED signatures. A new bumper with a slightly less rugged look has also been introduced, rounding out the redesign for the next-generation Honda Horizon.

      What’s next for Honda?

      Although the Horizon name is unlikely to return in the near future, Honda is proceeding with several new SUVs. The first of these, currently known as the “0 SUV,” is scheduled for release next year. This all-electric vehicle will be constructed on a new platform and offered alongside the 0 Saloon. While it may not be the Horizon we had hoped for, it shows that Honda is moving forward.