The Honda Avancier is a 5-seat CUV, sold exclusively in the Japanese market.
The Avancier's concept is similar to the Renault Vel Satis, Toyota Opa, Nissan R'nessa, and the Opel Signum—based on the Honda Accord's platform, its tall height allows for an interior more spacious than the Accord sedan or station wagon. The gear shifter has also been moved from the center console to the bottom half of the dashboard, allowing passengers to walk between the front and rear seats. While the rear seats aren't captain seats, they can individually recline and the center seat features a hidden table. Its appearance is similar to the 1986-1989 Accord AeroDeck but with two more doors. The Avancier was sold at Honda Clio locations.
Here's a Japanese commercial, with Anthony Hopkins as the spokesman.
Announced in September 1999, the Avancier was available with a 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine, or a 3-liter V6. Both were only available with automatic gearboxes; at the time of launch Honda said the 3-liter is the first Honda with a five-speed automatic gearbox. An Intelligent Highway Cruise Control system, which uses a radar to determine and maintain distance with the car in front, is optional for the V6. All-wheel drive is available for the 2.3-liter. Due to the engines used, it was considered mid-size in Japan for exceeding maximum engine displacement regulations, as well as length and width requirements.
On October 2003, production of the Avancier ceased due to disappointing sales, and the name was used as the top trim level on the JDM Honda Inspire fourth generation.