Spied: Is this the 7-seater Honda CR-V?

Earlier this year, Leon Brannan - Head of Franchise & Dealer Development at Honda Motor Europe indicated that the new CR-V could get an additional row of seats. If a recent spy shot is anything to go by, the model has been caught on test. The image shows the CR-V with a longer wheelbase, a covered up front end with makeshift headlights and a taped up rear door that appears to be longer than that of the current model.

The test mule was reportedly spotted in Los Angeles, USA, but it looks like a CR-V with 3-row seating may not be destined for the USA. While in markets like India, the CR-V is a weak seller due to the lack of a diesel engine option, the model is one of Honda USA's best sellers. Honda does offer the Pilot and Odyssey as people movers in the US, with the CR-V sold as a 5-seater crossover, and Honda may choose to offer the CR-V with only 2-rows of seats to maintain its current positioning.

The addition of a 3rd row of seats would improve the CR-V's credentials as a family runabout with the last row of seats most likely being suitable for small children. It remains to be seen when the 7-seater CR-V is launched and if it will be launched in India. In the UK, Honda recently launched the CR-V with a 1.6L i-DTEC diesel engine that also gets a 9-speed automatic gearbox. While a 3rd row of seats would be welcome, the addition of the aforementioned powertrain options could be the catalyst Honda needs to give the CR-V a much needed boost in India.

Source: Autonews