BROWSE CAR REVIEWS BY:
MAKE
MODEL
Click on a car body type for search results.
 |
 |
| SUVs (two rows) | SUVs (three rows) |
 |
 |
| Crossover | Minivans |
 |
 |
| Sedan | Hybrids |
 |
 |
| Wagons/Hatchbacks | Just for Fun |
Jury’s Still Out on Honda’s Newest Crossover, the Accord Crosstour
Nov 12 2009 by Lori Hindman
When I first saw the early photos of the Accord Crosstour, Honda’s newest crossover, I felt badly for Honda. It was just like when a dear friend, who usually has great taste, makes an unfortunate wardrobe choice for the big night out. Those first Crosstour pictured weren’t flattering. It looked like it had a sharp nose and a big butt. In person, however, the Crosstour is pretty good-looking. Phew. That could have been awkward.
The Crosstour is a small crossover that’s somewhat like a wagon but with a higher ground clearance and sportier packaging. As you might expect, it’s built on the Accord platform. From its nose to the front seat, it’s like an upscale Accord with premium materials and technology. The backseat and cargo space remind me of the Honda CR-V, with a wide, flat bench seat and all kinds of nifty storage options. In the cargo area, there’s under-floor storage with a removable bin, and half of the carpeted floor in the cargo area can be reversed for easy-to-clean plastic flooring.
The Crosstour comes with a solid V-6 engine that gives it enough power to get the job done, but not so much that it feels like a sports car. There’s optional all-wheel drive, which gives the Crosstour improved foul-weather handling.
My afternoon in the Crosstour put some of my doubts to rest and raised some new ones. The backseat looks wide enough to fit three child-safety seats across it, but the Latch connectors are somewhat buried. The second row’s seat belt receptacles are floppy and might be challenging for little hands to manage.
The Crosstour’s visibility seems good in all directions, and there’s a backup camera with the optional navigation system. The Crosstour rides and handles just like an Accord; it’s smooth and quiet, but the brakes are squishier than I’d like.
The Crosstour will be available in dealerships on Nov. 20. I look forward to getting to put the Crosstour through its paces during a test drive with the family in tow.
Squishy? Try properly built—nothing more annoying than being in the passenger seat of a car with “sporty” brakes that seem to have only two positions. Tell you what—get the car up to 60 then slam on the brakes—I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. I haven’t and those accord brakes have done wonders saving my butt numerous times.