Disregarding the new bodystyle with its snazzier exterior and more modern interior for a moment, it still feels a lot like an Accord sedan when you’re behind the wheel. Honda does claim that Crosstour provides ‘car-like handling and performance’ ... it just doesn’t specify which car.
Power in all models comes from the same 3.5-litre V6 you’ll find in the sedan, which is mated to the same five-speed automatic. Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), which deactivates two or three cylinders when power isn’t needed, is also standard on all models. VCM helps improve fuel economy, and though the transition between cylinder use is seamless, you’ll know it’s doing its job when you see the ‘eco’ icon light up in the instrument panel
The V6 has decent power and the transmission isn’t shy about quickly dropping down a couple gears when you need it to, but it wouldn’t hurt to have the horsepower or torque numbers increased in the Crosstour 4WD, as it’s over 200 lbs. heavier than the all-wheel drive sedan.
Of course, chances are anyone who opts for the Crosstour will be doing so mainly because of the extra cargo carrying capacity. Every exterior dimension is larger than that of the Accord sedan with the exception of a slightly smaller wheelbase, which may be why Crosstour actually has less legroom in both rows of seats.
The rear cargo area has almost double the space of the Accord sedan, and with the seats folded (something the sedan doesn’t even offer), that number is almost exactly double what it is with the seats up. The cargo floor is carpeted and almost completely flat, and for messier items, a large removable plastic tray is stowed underneath the floor. It even has handles if you want to use it to move items to and from the car. Heck, along with the Ridgeline’s underbed storage box, Honda is singlehandedly cornering the tailgate party market!
Up front, the office is a mixed bag. It has a few nice touches like some cool blue backlighting and a touch of wood trim to give it a slightly more upscale look, but it’s really a pretty typically Accord cockpit - staid and, a little confusing. There are fewer buttons than in Hondas of years past, but they’re still set up oddly – for instance, why are the oft-used climate controls split up by the audio controls?
The other issue from the drive
r’s seat is rearward visibility. The back end of the Crosstour is steeply raked, so there’s not a lot of glass to see out of in the first place. Add to that the sunshade, the cargo privacy cover, and a large piece of plastic that runs horizontally across the center of the window, and you’re left with a very small peep-through. Granted you can remove the sunshade and cargo cover, but then you’re losing out on what are otherwise very useful features.
Though the actual word ‘wagon’ is becoming more unpopular by the year, the bodystyle itself is still alive and kicking whether people realize it or not. ‘Crosstour’ may seem an odd name, but the fact the moniker is preceded by a name synonymous with families and reliability is what’s key.
Summary:
Strong Points
- - ride
- - handling
- - roominess
- - ride
- - handling
- - roominess
- - steering
- - rear visibility
- - confusing centre stack
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