Although the proposed merger between Honda and Nissan was officially called off earlier this year, its reverberations continue to be felt among car enthusiasts and automotive industry analysts.
Despite the plan to create a powerful global automotive alliance falling through, both Japanese brands have left the door open for potential strategic collaborations in the future, especially as the industry embarks on electrification and smart technology development.
Against this backdrop, Theottle, a YouTube channel specializing in futuristic car designs, poses an intriguing question: Could Honda resurrect the Horizon nameplate in the form of a large SUV, based on the platform of the Nissan Armada?
For longtime car enthusiasts, the Horizon name brings back memories of the Isuzu Trooper, one of the world’s most historically rich multi-branded SUVs. Depending on the market, this vehicle bore the badges of Chevrolet, Opel, Holden, SsangYong, and even Acura.
In Theottle’s vision, Honda brings back the Horizon moniker, this time with the imposing presence and modern aesthetics of the Nissan Armada. The Armada is a full-size SUV, also known as the Nissan Patrol in various international markets. The latest iteration, unveiled in the UAE in late 2024, shares a platform and technical intricacies with the luxurious Infiniti QX80. It boasts a twin-turbocharged 3.5L V6 engine, delivering 425 horsepower and a formidable 700 Nm of torque. Should the hypothetical Honda Horizon be based on this model, it would likely entail little more than a logo swap and subtle brand identity adjustments.
In the US market, the 2025 Nissan Armada starts at $57,520 (approximately 1.49 billion VND). Should Honda materialize the Horizon, a comparable price point would be a sensible strategy to compete directly with rivals in the segment, such as the Ford Expedition, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Toyota Sequoia.
While Honda has not shown any indications of reviving the Horizon line as of now, the concept of an SUV collaboration with Nissan is not far-fetched. As the global automotive landscape shifts towards alliances, shared technologies, and cost optimization, a rekindling of specific cooperative projects between these Japanese giants, such as sharing a large SUV platform, is entirely plausible.
With traditional boundaries in the automotive industry blurring, a “Nissan-esque” Honda Horizon 2026 may evolve from a mere fantasy to a pragmatic and potentially lucrative strategic move.
TH (Tuoitrethudo)