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Car and Driver
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
This Jeep-Looking SUV Is Actually a Honda CR-V Playing Dress Up
This isn't a new Jeep crossover; it's a Honda CR-V doing cosplay! A new body kit from Japanese tuner DAMD adds the look of a Cherokee XJ, albeit with modern underpinnings. The swap comes with a lift, but this kit is more about the look than actually off-roading. The XJ-series Jeep Cherokee set the stage for the era of the body-on-frame SUV, becoming as much of an icon as its Wrangler cousin in the process. It's such a boxy, charismatic truck, but if you own a vintage example, you do have to put up with fairly chunky ride quality and thirsty fuel-economy figures. That's part of the charm of driving an old truck around–but what if you just wanted the look? Honda's Halloween Costume If you live in Japan, then tuner DAMD has you covered. Its latest creation, the Reverb WR-V, takes a humdrum Honda CR-V compact SUV and transforms it into a modern interpretation of what a modernized XJ might look like. You can still see the Honda underneath, but the overall effect is good enough that Jeep might want to start thinking about something more retro-inspired to replace the Compass. DAMD Best known as a supplier of body kits and other cosmetic upgrades, the DAMD catalogue is absolutely crammed with whimsy. The Suzuki Jiminy, a tiny SUV once sold on this side of the Pacific as the Suzuki Samurai, can be dressed up as a kleiner Geländewagen called the Little G. Or you can have a tiny Bronco called, you guessed it, the Little B. The Reverb's WR-V stands for Winsome Runabout Vehicle, which is at once both very Japanese and entirely accurate. The kit extends to a squared-off hood, front grille, and lower bumper. Note that the slots on the grille are one shy of Jeep's trademarked seven. DAMD A set of 16-inch steelies wearing BFGoodrich T/A K03s rounds out the look. There's a mild, 1.4-inch lift, but don't expect this Jeep lookalike to be any better at off-roading than a CR-V TrailSport. Plus, that's not really the point here. A Cheap "Jeep" The cost for all this Jeepy cosplay seems entirely reasonable, at the equivalent of just over $2000 for the basic body kit. DAMD mostly deals with the Japanese market, but it does have suppliers in the United States. You'd want to check to see if everything would line up on a left-hand-drive CR-V before ordering, though. DAMD If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then consider this dressed-up Honda as a proper tribute to the XJ. You don't need to have the full off-road capability to appreciate good design. Brendan McAleer Contributing Editor Brendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki's half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. Read full bio
Motor 1
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
This Honda Was a Jeep Cherokee in Another Life
Well, I'll be DAMneD. Japanese tuners have found a way to surprise us again. After Mitsuoka gave the Civic a Nissan Skyline makeover , another Honda now channels a Cherokee XJ vibe. If you're unfamiliar with the WR-V, you honestly haven't missed much. The weirdly named "Winsome Runabout Vehicle" is just another small SUV in a crowded field. With a front-wheel-drive layout and a continuously variable transmission, it won't exactly set your pulse racing. DAMD has come up with an ingenious way to give Honda's forgettable crossover a stronger personalit, albeit one borrowed from another model. Yes, this WR-V wants to be a second-generation Cherokee when it grows up. The old-school rectangular halogen headlights flank a Jeep -esque grille with, conveniently, only six slots. Had they added another, the tuner might've had to lawyer up. As for the LED daytime running lights below, they look as if they were lifted from a previous-gen Mercedes G-Class. Photo by: DAMD The tuner, known for its quirky G-Class and Defender projects, fully embraced an 1980s and early 1990s aesthetic with faux wood paneling along the sides. At the rear, DAMD didn't bother changing the taillights to mimic the XJ's vertical lights, but it did add a questionable piece of black plastic trim. The rear garnish swaps the Honda badge for a REVERB logo, calling out the package's official name. The whole shebang even includes a redesigned, squared-off hood and a chunky front bumper. While the standard WR-V is far from an off-roader, DAMD lifts the suspension by nearly 1.4 inches (35 millimeters) and wraps the 16-inch wheels in BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A K03 tires sized 215/70 R16. There's not much going on inside, but customers can order plaid seat covers to emphasize the retro effect. The checkered pattern extends onto the front and rear center consoles, as well as the front seat pockets. It's a strange combination, but given how Japanese tuners consistently churn out unusual cosmetic packages, there's clearly a demand for unorthodox custom builds. Toyota WR-V by DAMD 19 Source: DAMD Previous Projects From DAMD: Damd Hustler Country Packs Rugged Look Into Pint-Sized Package Suzuki Jimny With G-Class Body Kit Is The Cutest Off-Road Conqueror Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: DAMD Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
