Honda Crosstour
Specs, engines and history
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By Sarah Whitmore, Senior Automotive Writer
The Honda Crosstour is a front- or all-wheel-drive crossover that combines the practicality of a wagon, the sweeping roofline of a coupé and the ground clearance of an SUV. Built on the platform of the Honda Accord, it was unveiled at the Los Angeles motor show in November 2009, originally carrying the Accord name as the Accord Crosstour. The updated model, simply called Crosstour, was previewed as a concept at the New York motor show in April 2012 and shown in production form in November 2012. Production ended in August 2015 because of weak demand and because Honda needed the capacity for the Acura RDX and MDX.
In short
- Built 2009–2015 on the Honda Accord platform; facelifted in 2012.
- Engines: 2.4 i-VTEC four-cylinder with 143 kW (194 PS) or 3.5 V6 with 207 kW (281 PS) and cylinder deactivation.
- The V6 comes with a six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive that can send up to 50% of torque to the rear.
- 205 mm of ground clearance and a 457-litre boot.
Honda Crosstour at a glance
The Crosstour was aimed at buyers who wanted one high-quality, reliable car for everything. Its fastback profile invited comparisons with the BMW X6. Underneath, it is a transverse-engine, monocoque car closely related to the Accord, but with a raised body, a larger tailgate and an all-wheel-drive option on the V6. The model was produced for just under six years, with one significant update in 2012 that refreshed the front end, cabin and equipment. More Honda models are listed in our Honda catalogue.
Design
The facelifted Crosstour has a bold front end with a large grille made of three wide chrome bars around a big Honda badge, narrow xenon headlights, a slightly forward-leaning bonnet and fog lamps set in small recesses at the level of the number plate. The steeply raked windscreen helps aerodynamics. Large mirrors and generous wheel arches with 17-inch alloys (18-inch on higher trims) give it an SUV stance, and the roof flows smoothly into the tail. Ground clearance is 205 mm.
Interior and practicality
The cabin uses leather, plenty of wood trim and soft plastics, built to Honda's usual standard. A thick four-spoke steering wheel, adjustable for height and reach, carries controls for navigation, cruise control and audio. The analogue instruments are attractive, but there is no full trip computer — only a small display for mileage. The centre console has a navigation screen at the top and a second display for the audio system; the dual-zone climate controls flank the hazard switch, and the tunnel is finished in wood.
The front seats are leather-trimmed, heated and electrically adjustable in ten directions, including the headrests. The leather rear bench seats three and has a fold-down armrest; space is generous, though the centre position is less comfortable. The boot holds 457 litres and houses a subwoofer. Handles inside the boot fold the 60:40 rear seat, giving more than 757 litres, and there is an extra 54-litre compartment under the floor. The space-saver spare is mounted underneath the car.
Engines and transmissions
| Engine | Power (kW / PS) | Torque | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 i-VTEC four-cylinder, aluminium block, DOHC, direct injection | 143 kW / 194 PS | 220 Nm | 5-speed automatic | Front |
| 3.5 V6, SOHC 24 valves, direct injection, cylinder deactivation | 207 kW / 281 PS | 342 Nm | 6-speed automatic | All-wheel drive |
The V6 can shut down three cylinders under light loads. Combined consumption is about 8.4–9.8 l/100 km, 0–100 km/h takes 8.1–11.1 seconds, and top speed is 190–194 km/h depending on version. The all-wheel-drive system uses a multi-plate clutch for the rear axle, which can receive up to 50% of the power when needed.
Chassis and safety
The Crosstour uses a front-wheel-drive platform with a transverse engine and a monocoque body with 46% high-strength steel — stiffer than the related Accord sedan. Suspension is independent: double wishbones at the front and a multi-link rear, with hydraulic dampers and anti-roll bars at both ends. The rack-and-pinion steering has hydraulic assistance with the 2.4 and variable electric assistance with the V6. Brakes are discs all round, ventilated at the front, with ABS and EBD as standard.
The Crosstour received good ratings from the IIHS. Standard equipment includes front and side airbags, curtain airbags, VSA stability control, brake assist and lane departure warning, plus cruise control, a light sensor and a rear camera. Typical equipment also covers climate control, leather upholstery, ten-way power seats with memory, heated front and rear seats, a sunroof, xenon headlights and a six-speaker audio system with Bluetooth and USB; higher trims add keyless entry, push-button start, 18-inch wheels and navigation.
Key specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Production | November 2009 – August 2015 (facelift 2012) |
| Platform | Honda Accord |
| Power | 143–207 kW / 194–281 PS |
| 0–100 km/h | 8.1–11.1 s |
| Top speed | 190–194 km/h |
| Ground clearance | 205 mm |
| Boot | 457 l; over 757 l folded |
| Wheels | 17–18 in |
Strengths and weaknesses
The Crosstour stands out for its unusual looks, generous size, large wheels and high ground clearance, which make it suitable for light off-road use as well as town driving. The cabin is comfortable and roomy, and the V6's all-wheel drive improves handling and traction. Its polarising styling limited its appeal, and sales were modest. Rivals included the Toyota Venza, Mazda CX-9, Subaru Outback, Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe and Chevrolet Captiva.
Honda Crosstour in our rankings
In production longer than 31% of ranked nameplates in the 1CARS catalog (No. 572 of 912).
FAQ
When was the Honda Crosstour made?
From November 2009 to August 2015; it was facelifted in 2012.
Is the Honda Crosstour based on the Accord?
Yes. It shares its platform with the Honda Accord and was originally called the Accord Crosstour.
What engines does the Honda Crosstour have?
A 2.4-litre four-cylinder with 143 kW (194 PS) and a 3.5-litre V6 with 207 kW (281 PS).
Does the Honda Crosstour have all-wheel drive?
The V6 versions do, with up to 50% of the torque sent to the rear wheels when needed.
Why was the Honda Crosstour discontinued?
Production ended in August 2015 because demand was weak and Honda needed the factory capacity for the Acura RDX and MDX.
Data sources
Data checked by an editor against the sources below.
