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First Drive: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour Rear Three Quarters View

Research the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour

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From the November 2009 issue of Automobile Magazine - by Eric Tingwall

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour Front Three Quarters View

Familiar Honda hardware
Honda says the Crosstour shares about 60 percent of its parts with the Accord sedan, including the basic chassis, instrument panel, and powertrain. But while the Accord sedan offers four- and six-cylinder engines, the Crosstour comes in only one flavor, using the 271-hp V-6, which is paired to a five-speed automatic transmission. Buyers can choose between front- or all-wheel drive. Fuel economy is rated at 18/27 mpg for the two-wheel-drive Crosstour, and 17/25 for the all-wheel-drive model. Like the sedan, the Crosstour features a control-arm front suspension and multilink rear setup. The crossover grows in length and width by about two inches while the wheelbase is nearly identical. Height for the Crosstour is more than seven inches taller than the sedan, helped by both a taller roof and ground clearance that is raised 0.3 inches. Familiar Accord driving
Based on the mechanical similarities, it's not surprising that the Crosstour feels like driving an Accord sedan. The view and feel from the driver's seat is decidedly carlike, as opposed to the taller perches in the Ford, Nissan and Toyota competitors. Despite a 300-pound weight addition to the Accord chassis, the Crosstour accelerates with ease. The engine delivers a powerful surge as valve timing and lift change at high rpms while the transmission shifts smoothly. The ride feels just slightly softer than that of the sedan, but handling is still respectable. For the added weight and height, the Crosstour corners commendably, especially when compared to the Venza. Steering in the Honda, though, is quite lifeless. A polarizing price and style
Honda starts pricing for the front-wheel-drive Crosstour at $30,380 and $34,730 for all-wheel drive. While the car packs a lot of content, that seems a bit pricey to us, especially considering you can get into a V-6 Murano and Edge for several thousand dollars less. Using the Accord name to cash in on familiarity may help Honda move a few Crosstours, but the Japanese automaker will also have to contend with the polarizing styling that may make it a nonstarter for some buyers.

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4 comments

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grant74

I'm a little surprised that there's no less expensive/more economical four cylinder version, like Venza and Outback offer.

grant74

The only Edges I've ever seen (all three of them) have been in the Hertz rental car lot--I can't imagine anyone cross-shoping an Edge and a Crosstour. If people can get over the styling, this seems like a smart move by Honda--I know several Civic and Accord owners who imagine they have an active lifestyle and have considered leaving the Honda fold to buy Subaru Outbacks.

mdmd62

This is a vehicle like a buddy of mine had in the 80s....the Mazda 626...it makes lots of sense, drives like a car and in convenient to load and unload...its what the Verza is not...that is another class of vehicle, more like the Edge, Murano, etc.

mphillips12000

Why on earth does this thing have to compromise its utility with that sloped roof?Why on earth does it have to muddle it's driving dynamics with a jacked up suspension? Why on earth does it have to be so F-ing ugly? Thankfully, Acura will get a proper wagon, the TSX, with better handling and utility, if still saddled with that unfortunate beak. Meanwhile, I'm betting the name Gross-tour catches on.