2010 Honda Accord Crosstour AWD EX-L

The Honda Crosstour's styling appears unconventional today, but, what with vehicles such as the Toyota Venza and the BMW 5-series GT becoming more common on our roads, it looks as if convention might be changing. When I drove the Crosstour, I couldn't help but compare it to the new-look crossover from Honda's upscale division, the Acura ZDX. With the ZDX, passengers (even those of short stature) have to fold themselves up like origami in order to enter the back seats without clonking their head on the door frame. In comparison, entering the rear seat of the Crosstour feels like climbing into the back of a Honda Accord - no contortions needed. Next, look into the rear cargo compartment. While the official cargo capacity numbers for the two vehicles are nearly identical, the space behind the second seat in the Crosstour appears more usable, because its roof is less steeply sloped and the load floor is lower. On the road, the Crosstour handles much like an Accord sedan, which is to say quite well. I'd like to see a six-speed transmission and paddle-shifters in place of the five-speed automatic, but I'm guessing that's not a priority for most buyers of this vehicle. Amy Skogstrom, Managing Editor