Honda Unveils CR-V "Dream Pod" Micro-Camper to Celebrate 30 Years of Success

Honda has joined the ranks of Japanese automakers developing innovative micro-camper concepts with its new CR-V "Dream Pod" adventure wagon. The concept celebrates the 30th anniversary of Honda's popular crossover while showcasing how the versatile vehicle can be transformed into a compact recreational vehicle.

Honda Micro-Camper - A Birthday Present for a Bestseller

The CR-V—which stands for Compact Runabout Vehicle, Comfortable Runabout Vehicle, or Compact Recreational Vehicle, depending on which Honda literature you reference—has achieved remarkable success since its 1995 launch. According to sales tracker Good Car Bad Car, Honda has sold approximately 10 million CR-Vs globally over the past three decades, with more than 6 million units in the US market alone since its 1997 American debut.

As one of the pioneers that helped popularize the crossover utility vehicle (CUV) segment, the CR-V has established itself as a perennial bestseller. However, the Toyota RAV4 has long challenged it for the title of America's most popular SUV.

The Dream Pod Concept

The "Dream Pod" name cleverly combines Honda's global "Power of Dreams" slogan with a nod to Japanese pod hotels that inspired the concept's design. Rather than developing a complex motorhome conversion, Honda partnered with Czech camper-in-a-box specialists Egoé, utilizing their innovative Nestboard 650 system—their slimmest camper kit.

The Nestboard 650 ingeniously packs multiple functions into a compact space:

• A fold-out double bed that sets up over the folded rear seats

• An outdoor kitchen accessible from the rear tailgate

• A dining area with a table

Egoé's design efficiently maximizes space by positioning the kitchen components on an under-bed tailgate slide. Instead of spanning the entire width with kitchen equipment, they've placed a single-burner gas stove and folding faucet/collapsible basin sink in the center, flanked by level worktops for food preparation and dining. Pull up a pair of camp chairs, and you have an instant outdoor dining area.

Creating a Cozy Pod Experience

Honda enhances the pod-like experience with several thoughtful additions:

• A framed pull-down shade behind the front seats to create a private bedroom space

• Black-out shades on rear windows to complete the sleeping capsule

• Interior "tech pods" providing each camper with a multi-USB charging strip, ambient lighting, adjustable reading lamp, and retractable side table

• Rubber floor mats and illuminated door sill trims for practicality and style

The Dream Pod is built on the CR-V e: PHEV platform, featuring a 2.0-liter plug-in hybrid powertrain that delivers up to 79 km (49 miles) of all-electric driving per charge, making it an environmentally friendly option for both urban and rural adventures.

Adventure-Ready Accessories

For outdoor enthusiasts, Honda equips the Dream Pod with a rear Thule bike carrier, available as a Genuine Accessory. The retractable tow bar supporting the bike rack can also be used for towing up to 1,500 kg (3,300 lb).

DIY Potential for CR-V Owners

While components like the tech pods and interior front blind appear custom-made for the concept, the main camping equipment is commercially available. CR-V owners interested in creating their own micro-camper can purchase the Nestboard 650 from Egoé dealers for €3,899 (approximately US$4,425), along with accessories like an electric fridge box and outdoor shower bag.

The 57-kg (126-lb) Nestboard 650 kit installs easily—sliding into the trunk and securing at four tie-down points. It remains folded behind the rear seats during travel and transforms into a bed platform at camp.

Honda offers several components as official CR-V add-ons, including the detachable tow bar, floor mats, illuminated side sill garnishes, Thule rear bicycle carrier, and side window sunshades.

European Debut

Despite selling six times more CR-Vs in the United States over the decades, Honda chose to debut the Dream Pod concept in Europe. This decision may reflect Europe's long-standing leadership in versatile camper-in-a-box systems. Although Egoé previously launched in North America, the company does not currently maintain a US web page or advertise American offerings.

To showcase the concept, Honda collaborated with astrophotographer Benjamin Barakat to capture the Dream Pod beneath starry skies, truly bringing the idea of a "dream pod" to life.

As Toyota and Nissan have demonstrated with their numerous concept campers throughout the 2020s, there's growing interest in compact, versatile camping solutions. Honda's CR-V Dream Pod joins this trend while celebrating a vehicle that has defined the crossover segment for three decades.