by Honda’s New Off-Road App
Honda isn’t known for building the most capable off-road SUVs on the market, even though it offers several models with the TrailSport badge in its lineup, such as the Passport, Pilot, and CR-V, which rely more on appearance than true capability. To help owners of these models better understand their off-road adventures, the company has just launched a new app called Honda Trail Experience (HTX).
How It Works
The app is available for free on the Apple App Store and can be used on the vehicle’s infotainment display while Apple CarPlay is active. It collects and records 11 important metrics directly from the vehicle, displaying up to six of them at once.
Key Features
Among the key data points the app tracks are vehicle roll, pitch, wheel angle, throttle position, and brake pressure. The app, developed with input from over 1,500 Passport TrailSport owners, also records outside temperature, latitude, and longitude, storing all this data on interactive route maps. Owners can also use the app’s video recording feature to film on their iPhone, capturing their off-road adventures.
Convenient Video Control
A particularly interesting feature is that the video can be controlled from the infotainment screen. This means the owner can mount their iPhone on the outside of the vehicle and then record video from inside. A passenger within range can even use a synced iPhone to record video and then overlay important metrics and the route map onto it.
“By launching the Honda Trail Experience app, we are giving TrailSport owners the ability to get more out of every off-road journey — providing real-time vehicle data, intuitive navigation tools, and seamless video sharing to help them drive with confidence and celebrate every adventure,” said Omar Saleh, HTX Project Lead from Honda Development and Manufacturing of America.
Previous Experience
This is not the first time Honda has released a similar app. Owners of the Civic Type R can download the LogR app, which also records important vehicle telemetry as well as track data to help owners competing on racetracks.
Overall, the launch of the Honda Trail Experience is a logical step for the brand as it seeks to strengthen its presence in the SUV segment. Although TrailSport versions have previously been criticized for lacking serious off-road preparation, this app adds functionality and allows owners to feel like true explorers. The integration with the iPhone and the ability to control recording from inside the vehicle makes the process of documenting adventures extremely convenient. Given the success of LogR for the Civic Type R, it can be expected that HTX will become popular among Honda crossover owners who value technology and want to share their experiences.
