In the absence of SUVs and trucks with body on chassis, huge Honda vehicles are often overlooked when it comes to their ruggedness and off-road prowess. But the Japanese automaker is determined to change that image soon.
In a recent filing (dated March 30, 2021) at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Honda filed a trademark application for a Trailsport logo – a follow-up to a report from last year showing the automaker filing a trademark for the name.
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This confirms several reports from last year following the Honda Ridgeline facelift in October. The unibody pickup received a more rugged design, while our first drive review showed Honda’s intention to showcase the truck’s capabilities beyond its current status.
A few days later, a report from Motortend stipulated that the automaker would apply the macho and tough look to its SUVs in the hopes of getting a bigger slice of the US sales pie. Honda then changed the previous Ridgeline endorser to a tougher WWE character.
If that wasn’t proof of Honda’s intention to update its image, we don’t know what else it is.
The name Honda Trailsport reinforces this approach – a name meant to evoke a sense of ruggedness and an active lifestyle. We now have a first look at its logo through the trademark filing that has surfaced, all we are waiting for now are the actual vehicles to carry the nameplate.
That said, the Ridgeline is one of the likely candidates, along with the Passport and Pilot SUVs. The CR-V can also benefit from the Trailsport treatment to chase the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road on its game.
As a precautionary measure, however, this is still speculation until Honda quizzes an announcement, which we believe should happen in the near future.
