This Honda CR-V Concept Mimics Japanese Capsule Hotels

The CR-V Dream Pod is a perfect overnight camper

We’ve seen some interesting concept cars over the years, but Honda’s Dream Pod concept lands on the more practical side of the scale. The Japanese automaker transformed its CR-V crossover into an overnight camper to celebrate the model’s 30th anniversary and collaborated with award-winning astrophotographer Benjamin Barakat, who took the CR-V Dream Pod into the Italian Alps to capture the night sky with time-lapse techniques.

Dream Pod concept offers home comfort

The Honda CR-V has never been an off-road capable crossover, but its roomy interior and general comfort have made it a favorite among families. The Dream Pod is a year-round camping crossover inspired by Japanese capsule hotels, combining the CR-V’s comfort with home amenities, including sleeping quarters.

The first capsule hotel opened in Japan in 1979 and quickly spread to other countries, including Belgium, Canada, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia. They’re designed to offer overnight accommodation at a more affordable price than a traditional hotel room. Capsule hotels can vary in size, ranging from 50 to over 500 rooms. A standard capsule measures roughly six-and-a-half feet long, three feet wide, and three feet high.

The Honda Dream Pod concept is built on the CR-V e:PHEV. It offers enough space for an all-in-one camper conversion kit complete with a basic kitchen set and a bed with a mattress. The mattress can be stowed away for cargo space and unfolded once the rear seats are stored. The kitchen equipment, which includes a cooking stove, collapsible sink, and storage bins, is also kept hidden away until it's needed.

The spirit of adventure has always been at the heart of the CR-V, a car which has championed family-friendly fun and versatility since its ground-breaking introduction in 1995,” said Nik Pearson of Honda Motor Europe. “By combining car-like handling and comfort with SUV versatility, this is a model that single-handedly created the modern crossover sector. The ‘Dream Pod’ is therefore the perfect celebration of the CR-V’s pioneering success and its status as one of the world’s most popular SUVs.”

To prove the Dream Pod concept is more than just a fancy modded crossover, Honda and astrophotographer Benjamin Barakat headed into the Italian Alps. Barakat camped out overnight to capture a time-lapse of Orion’s Nebula and the Pleiades cluster and shared his thoughts on the CR-V Dream Pod in a video.

The 2025 Honda CR-V is a balanced package

Starting as low as $30,100, the 2025 Honda CR-V comes powered by a 190-horsepower turbocharged engine with standard front-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive. As far as efficiency goes, the standard gas-powered model is rated for 30 mpg in combined city/highway driving. 

The Honda CR-V comes well-equipped for its price range, with a full suite of safety tech on the spec sheet. As far as infotainment goes, the base model features a seven-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The EX-L trim adds a wireless phone charger to the list of standard equipment, making the CR-V more convenient for road trips.

The Japanese crossover is also available in a hybrid configuration that produces 204 horsepower. The Honda CR-V Hybrid earns up to 40 mpg combined, a 33% increase over the gas-only model. The range-topping Sport Touring Hybrid comes equipped with a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system complete with a subwoofer.

Final thoughts

The Honda CR-V Dream Pod concept is a practical idea, especially with van life’s popularity still going strong. At the end of the day, though, this is just an OEM take on a camper modification, with a combination of genuine accessories and aftermarket parts listed on the concept’s official page. A camper conversion in our crossover won’t fly with two toddlers in tow, but if you’re looking for an adventure, transforming your vehicle into a camper is a great way to get started!