Ahead of its time as the first mainstream crossover coupe, the Honda Crosstour lasted for only six model years as the sportier, sleeker alternative to the Pilot. Based on the Accord, the Crosstour was essentially an Accord sedan with available all-wheel drive (AWD), a taller roof, roomier rear seats, and a large hatchback tailgate. It used the Accord's chassis and mechanical components, as it was built alongside the sedan at the manufacturer’s Ohio plant.
It competed directly with the equally short-lived Toyota Venza, which looked more like a station wagon. While the Crosstour tried to steal sales from traditional two-row SUVs, such as the Ford Edge and the Nissan Rogue, it was ultimately outsold by Honda's smaller CR-V and larger three-row Pilot. Even BMW, which sold the 5-Series GT at the same time as the Crosstour, had few takers for this bolder body style. As a used car, the Honda Crosstour offers the space and comfort of the usual midsize crossovers and—if you like the design—a vibrant alternative.
Honda Crosstour: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Pros and Cons
- Honda Crosstour Generations
- Honda Crosstour First Generation (2010-2015)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Honda Crosstour years are the best?
The best cars are from 2013-2015 model years, as the 2013 Honda Crosstour heralded a raft of powertrain and technology updates.
Which Honda Crosstour years are the worst?
Avoid the first 2010 model year as it has an outdated infotainment system, no driver assistance features, and a cluttered dashboard.
Is a used Honda Crosstour a good deal?
Yes, the Crosstour is reliable and very affordable.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Unique styling
- Spacious
- Comfortable
Cons:
- Weak four-cylinder engine
- Dated infotainment systems
- Limited availability
Honda Crosstour Generations
Honda Crosstour First Generation (2010-2015)
Launched as the Honda Accord Crosstour, this midsize crossover was a taller Accord sedan with a large hatchback. The look, feel, and driving characteristics were exactly like that of the Accord, but it was available with all-wheel drive (AWD), while the higher center of gravity—ground clearance was just over six inches—and greater weight detracted from the sedan's sprightly handling. The Accord's optional 3.5-liter V6 engine was the sole unit for the 2010 model, with 271 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque, mated to a five-speed automatic transmission with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD).
Two trims were available, again positioned above mid-level and base trim levels of the Accord sedan. The Honda Crosstour EX came with dual-zone automatic climate control, a seven-speaker stereo with a six-CD changer, 17-inch alloy wheels, sunroof, projector-beam halogen headlights, fog lights, stability control, active front seat headrests, and tinted rear windows. The Crosstour EX-L (indicating leather upholstery) added heated front seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, memory positions for the side mirrors, a cargo cover, HomeLink garage door opener, an upgraded stereo, and a USB port. A navigation system was the only option and included a rearview camera.
All Crosstour trim levels had a removable bin under the cargo floor with a reversible lid (carpeted and rubber) for extra storage. A large grille, a wide-opening tailgate with a low loading height, and a well-made cabin with lots of analog controls are notable highlights. Fuel economy was 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined with AWD and 18/27/21 mpg with FWD. Pricing ranged from an MSRP of just under $30,000 to more than $36,000.
For 2011, Honda redesigned the center stack to clean up the jumbled button layout, with the idea that frequently used climate control buttons would be closer to the driver. Fuel efficiency from AWD models increased by one mpg for the EPA city rating, while the 2012 Honda Crosstour added a four-cylinder engine to further improve fuel economy and lower the starting price. The 2.4-liter engine (192 hp/162 lb-ft) used the same five-speed transmission but was available only with FWD, while EPA ratings were 21/29/24. The 2012 Crosstour also dropped "Accord" from the name, and Honda only referred to it as the Crosstour from then on.
For 2013, Honda revised the V6 engine—which had previously been able to shut off two or three cylinders but now would only shut off three—for more output (278 hp/252 lb-ft) and efficiency (18/28/22 mpg), while the four-cylinder trims also became more efficient (22/31/25 mpg). A new six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters was the primary reason for the gains. For the same model year, Honda made a slight exterior facelift and improved the material quality inside, and Honda LaneWatch became a new standard feature. Instead of employing expensive radar sensors in the rear bumper, Honda used a camera mounted on the passenger-side mirror to display a live video feed of the right blind spot on the central display whenever the driver signaled right.
Forward collision warning and lane departure warning were also optional for the first time, along with proximity key and push-button start. HondaLink debuted on the 2013 Crosstour, which allowed certain smartphone apps to be loaded directly in the car. Honda also reshaped the rear headrests for better driver visibility, installed a convex, wider-angle section on the driver's side mirror, and made the backup camera, Bluetooth, and a USB/iPod connector standard. Two paint colors were added.
The 2014 Crosstour made push-button start with proximity key a standard feature and there were no changes to the 2015 Honda Crosstour—its final year.
Average list prices for Crosstour models on CarGurus were just over $10,000 when we checked them out.
