Honda Nomenclature: How Honda Names It’s Models?

Honda Nomenclature decoded

Honda Nomenclature uses numerous Alphabets for its models:

What do these weird letters really mean in Honda Nomenclature? Let’s find out..!

Ever wondered what BRV, CRV, HRV & WRV really mean? Let’s find out in the Honda Nomenclature..!

BRV: Bold Runabout Vehicle. This newly introduced 5-door wagon or mini SUV launched by Honda is termed as ‘BRV’. It is also a Seven-Seater MUV which has underpinnings similar to that of Honda Mobilio, Brio and Amaze. The term ‘BRV’ stands for ‘Bold Runabout Vehicle’. It has an option of either 1.5L  i-VTEC I4 (gasoline) or 1.5L Earth Dreams i-DTEC I4-T (diesel) engines.

Honda nomenclature: Honda BRV
Honda nomenclature: Honda BRV

CRV: Comfortable Runabout Vehicle. This is Honda’s best-selling Compact crossover SUV which is termed as ‘CRV’. It uses Honda Civic platform as the base. The term ‘CRV’ stands for ‘Comfortable Runabout Vehicle’. It is also believed that CRV also stands for ‘Comfortable Recreation Vehicle or ‘Compact Recreational Vehicle’. It uses Honda’s 2.0L I4 engines available both in petrol & turbo-diesel versions.

Honda nomenclature: Honda CRV
Honda nomenclature: Honda CRV

FRV: ‘Family Recreation Vehicle’ or ‘Flexible Recreational Vehicle’. This is Honda’s Compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). It is believed that FRV stands for ‘Family Recreation Vehicle’ or ‘Flexible Recreational Vehicle’. FRV is a 5-door MPV which Honda produced from 2004 to 2009. It featured engines such as 1.7L VTEC, 1.8L i-VTEC & 2.0L i-VTEC and 2.2L CTD-i.

Honda nomenclature: Honda FRV
Honda nomenclature: Honda FRV

Honda Nomenclature for HR-V:

HRV: Hi-rider Revolutionary Vehicle. This is Honda’s Sub-compact crossover SUV which is termed as ‘HRV’. It shares its platform with Honda Fit / Vazel. The term ‘HRV’ stands for ‘Hi-rider Revolutionary Vehicle’.

Honda nomenclature: 1st Generation Honda HRV
Honda nomenclature: 1st Generation Honda HRV

It is also believed that HRV stands for ‘High Clearance Recreation Vehicle’ which points to higher ground clearance. However, some people believe it to be ‘Honda Recreational Vehicle’. HRV is available in either 3-door or 5-door options.

Honda nomenclature: 2nd Generation Honda HRV
Honda nomenclature: 2nd Generation Honda HRV

WRV: Winsome Runabout Vehicle. This is Honda’s upcoming mid-sized SUV which is termed as ‘WRV’. It has a 5-door hatchback body style and features Honda’s 1.5L i-VTEC engine. The term ‘WRV’ stands for ‘Winsome Runabout Vehicle’.

Honda nomenclature: Honda WRV
Honda nomenclature: Honda WRV

XRV: Crossover (X) Vehicle. Finally, this is Honda’s Subcompact crossover SUV which is termed as ‘XRV’. It is a 5-door crossover which shares its platform with Honda Vazel / HRV models. Although not official, it is believed that the term ‘XRV’ stands for ‘Crossover (X) Runabout Vehicle’ which features Honda’s 1.5L and 1.8L engines.

Honda nomenclature: Honda XRV
Honda nomenclature: Honda XRV

Honda Nomenclature for CR-X:

CR-X: ‘Civic Rally Cross’ and ‘Civic Renaissance model X’. This Honda is a Compact Sports-car which is based on Honda Civic model.

Honda nomenclature: 1st Generation Honda CRX (Courtesy: cardomain.com)
Honda nomenclature: 1st Generation Honda CRX (Courtesy: cardomain.com)

It has a 3-door hatchback or flashback body style and came with Honda’s 1.5L & 1.6L engine options. The term CRX stands for ‘Civic Rally Cross (X)’ or ‘Civic Renaissance model X’.

Later, Honda revived the CR-X with Honda CR-Z model.

Honda nomenclature: 3rd Generation Honda CRX
Honda nomenclature: 3rd Generation Honda CRX

FC-X: Fuel Cell eXperimental. This series of Honda cars obtain power from hydrogen fuel cell. The term FCX stands for ‘Fuel Cell eXperimental’ which is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell.

Honda nomenclature: 1st Generation Honda FCX
Honda nomenclature: 1st Generation Honda FCX

FC-X Clarity: This is latest Honda car, FC-X Clarity, which is a 4-door sedan from the FC-X series. It runs on an electric motor. Hence, the term FCX stands for ‘Fuel Cell eXperimental’.

Honda nomenclature: 2nd Generation Honda FCX
Honda nomenclature: 2nd Generation Honda FCX

Honda Nomenclature for S-MX:

S-MX: Creative Mover. It is a Compact MPV of Honda which was manufactured between 1996 & 2002. The car was available in three variants which were ‘Standard’, ‘Four Wheel Drive’ and ‘Lowdown’ whereas, its special edition came with ‘Mugen’, ‘Aero’ and ‘Casual’ body styles.

Honda nomenclature: 1st Generation Honda SMX (Courtesy: cardirectory.com)
Honda nomenclature: 1st Generation Honda SMX (Courtesy: cardirectory.com)

According to Honda, S-MX is a part of the ‘Creative Mover’ series which it termed as ‘Lifestyle Enhancing Vehicles’. However, there are NO official or otherwise clues about what the term ‘S-MX’ really means. If Honda had named the S-MX according to Honda nomenclature, it would probably be the ‘Small Multi-utility eXperimental’.

Honda nomenclature: Honda SMX interiors (Courtesy: wheelsage.com)
Honda nomenclature: Honda SMX interiors (Courtesy: wheelsage.com)

Interestingly, the car’s seats can be folded flat. Then, it virtually turns into a king-sized bed spacious enough for two people to sleep. Thus, Honda may have designed S-MX to cater to the traveling Japanese population who could not afford a hotel in costly, urban areas such as in Tokyo. However, popular website ‘Jalopnik‘ has an altogether different view about the S-MX. The website claims that the S-MX with all ‘dark-shaded’ glasses was more than just the car meant for transportation. We leave it to the readers to guess what it was designed for..!

Honda Nomenclature for CR-Z: Hybrids and Fuel Cell Cars

CR-Z: Compact Renaissance Zero. The CR-Z is a combination of hybrid petrol-electric power-train with the traditional sports-car configuration. Furthermore, Honda CRZ has a 3-door compact sports body configuration which is a hybrid-electric hatchback of Honda. The term CR-Z stands for ‘Compact Renaissance Zero’.

Honda nomenclature: Honda CRZ
Honda nomenclature: Honda CRZ

HP-X: Honda Pininfarina eXperimental. This is a mid-engined Honda concept car which had a 2.0L V6 engine with rear wheel drive.

Honda HPX (Courtesy: oldconceptcars.com)
Honda HPX (Courtesy: oldconceptcars.com)

The term HPX stands for ‘Honda Pininfarina eXperimental’. However, this model just remained on the drawing board and Honda never launched it.

NS-X: New Sportscar eXperimental, New Sports eXperience. Honda designed & developed the Honda NS-X as a two-seater, mid-engined, super-sports car. Furthermore, the term ‘NS-X’ stands for ‘New Sportscar eXperimental’ or ‘New Sports eXperience’. However, the 2016 NS-X is a Next-Gen car in Honda’s stable which features the Hybrid technology. Besides, it uses a 3.5L, twin-turbo, V6 engine and three electric motors. Additionally, it has “SH-AWD” all-wheel-drive system.

Honda Nomenclature: Honda NSX
Honda Nomenclature: Honda NSX

Honda Type-R Badge: Honda earmarks these models for Racetrack. Thus, the term ‘R’ in Type-R means a car is for the Racetrack.

Honda Civic Type-R
Honda Civic Type-R

Furthermore, these cars include the 2007 Honda Civic Type-R, Honda Accord Type-R, Honda NXS Type-R, Honda Integra Type-R and JDM Honda Type-R. Besides, these cars typically showcase a prominent red Honda Type-R badge.

Honda Type-R Badge
Honda Type-R Badge

Note: All Images (Courtesy: Honda)

For more information, click here: http://world.honda.com/

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