Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Outdoors

Honda inspires hardcore campers to DIY their very own CR-V Dream Pod concept

Like Japan's capsule hotels, this concept SUV packs most of the comforts of home into its pint-sized cabin

By
A look into the rear hatch of Honda's one-off CR-V Dream Pod concept SUV (star trails in night sky in background).
Honda

Stock minivans and campervans make easy donor vehicles for DIY vanlifers. But SUVs, especially small to mid-sized models, aren’t often a starting point for most custom van builds. Now, Honda wants camping enthusiasts to rethink what’s possible with more ordinary “grocery-getter” SUVs. Introducing the Honda CR-V Dream Pod camper concept.

The Japanese automaker released the one-off concept to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Honda’s popular CR-V SUV. While the exterior remains unchanged, the interior pulls heavy inspiration from Japan’s well-known capsule hotels. Despite a significantly smaller floor plan than, say, a typical campervan, Honda managed to pack a surprising amount of creature comforts into the CR-V’s pint-sized cabin.

Inside the rear hatch of the Honda CR-V Dream Pod SUV concept.
Honda

At the heart of the Dream Pod is the EGOE Nestboard 650, an in-car camping setup that fits the CR-V perfectly. A built-in drawer at the base of the EGOE contains a portable camp stove, a collapsible sink/wash basin, and enough storage for all your favorite camp kitchen essentials. After dark, the rear seats fold flat, and a double mattress unfurls to provide sleeping quarters for two adults. Black-out rear window covers and a retractable blind behind the front seats add plenty of privacy. Plus, Honda’s DIY shopping list includes integrated “tech pods” with pull-out side tables, LED reading lights, and USB sockets to make the whole setup more livable.

Recommended Videos

The Dream Pod is based on Honda’s off-the-rack CR-V e:PHEV, a plug-in hybrid model available exclusively in Europe. The platform offers an all-electric range of roughly 50 miles, allowing for completely silent drives through the front- and backcountry. Plus, it comes standard with 6.25 inches of ground clearance and advanced traction control. Those aren’t hardcore, “overlanding-ready” specs by any stretch, but they add a degree of versatility to allow for on- and (light) off-road adventuring.

Honda built the CR-V Dream Pod as a one-off concept. But, car camping enthusiasts can DIY their own build with the car maker’s complete shopping list.

Learn More

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Mike Richard
Mike Richard
Contributor
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Storyteller Overland’s Crew Mode is a rugged adventure van for the whole family
There's a legit bathroom, a spacious kitchen, endless creature comforts, and room for five adults
Storyteller Overland Crew Mode adventure van camper with its rooftop tent popped.

The best camper vans these days are nothing short of amazing, proving that it really is possible to do more — a lot more — with less. Storyteller Overland is among our favorite van builders, but the brand just announced the availability of its first-ever five-passenger adventure van, and it's a beauty.
Get the full details on Storyteller Overland's Crew Mode adventure van camper

The all-new Crew Mode is Storyteller's first adventure van to be built on the AWD Mercedes-Benz 170" High Roof Dually Sprinter Chassis. That extra length is part of what allows the family-friendly model to both transport and sleep five comfortably. The addition of a powered hard-sided rooftop tent is the other part of the equation. Sure, it might be a little tight, but the layout feels and is surprisingly spacious with room for you and the family or your four closest friends.

Read more
Scout Campers x 10 Barrel want to give you $25,000 toward a custom truck camper
Win everything you need to build the custom off-grid-ready, overlanding rig of your dreams.
Closeup of hands cracking open a 10 Barrel Camp Coldie beer can in front of a Scout Campers truck camper.

Cold beers are good; cold beers 'round the campfire are even better. That's why Scout Campers recently teamed up with 10 Barrel Brewing on a brand new IPA and the chance to win $25,000 toward the custom truck camper of your dreams.

Camp Coldie is the newest member of 10 Barrel's HopBurst collection. It's a classic West Coast IPA with an infinitely more crushable ABV (just 5%!), making it perfect for post-rafting, post-fishing, post-hiking, post-whatever'ing beers around the campfire. The Oregon brewer describes it as "medium-bodied, subtly sweet and balanced with gentle bitterness ... and tropical notes of citrus, mango and grapefruit." To round out the partnership, 10 Barrel also opted to use hops from Scout's hometown of Yakima, Washington.

Read more
Isuzu Basecamp is an ultra-rugged truck camper that’s ready for anything
The already legendary Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 gets a serious upgrade for trail-hungry overlanders.
An Isuzu Arctic Trucks Basecamp truck camper parked in the woods with rooftop tent deployed.

Iceland's Arctic Trucks has partnered for years with Isuzu UK to trick out the brand's best and baddest off-road rigs.  But its latest work, codenamed Basecamp, takes the partnership to a whole new level.

Every Basecamp truck is born from the legendary Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 — a rig that the brand describes as its "most capable pickup ever. 25 years in the making." It's an ultra-rugged, go-anywhere truck that's purpose-built for the world's toughest environments. But Arctic Trucks saw fit to do better.

Read more