2010 Honda Accord Crosstour EX-L 4WD

The Honda Accord Crosstour is a spectacular example of automotive social media marketing gone wrong. When the car was revealed on Facebook, virtually everyone posted horrible things about it on Honda's page. One of the (very) few people to say something positive turned out to be a Honda employee, and the social media crowd had a field day with that bit of news. The debacle certainly got the Crosstour name out quickly, but it might give reason to think about the notion that there's no such thing as bad publicity.

I am still incredibly confused by these SUV/crossover coupes that offer the mass of a crossover, driving dynamics that aren't as good as a regular sedan, and limited cargo capacity thanks to the sloping roofline. And in most cases the visceral reaction to the looks is a negative one. I've been told these vehicles appeal to empty nesters who like being up higher than a car, but don't need the capability of a larger vehicle. I hope I never fit that segment.

Other than the fact I don't understand why the Crosstour exists, it's a decent vehicle. I don't think the 271-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 is up to motivating 4000 pounds of Crosstour (Honda really needs about 300 hp here), but I also know that the sort of people who will end up buying the Crosstour don't exactly choose Honda vehicles because of the brand's IRL ties.

Phil Floraday, Senior Online Editor

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I can't really speak to the Accord Crosstour's sporting proficiencies or deficiencies, but it's pretty darn good in the snow---solid, capable, and willing to kick out its tail a bit when you want. It'd be an even nicer winter car if the heated seats warmed up as quickly as those of most other carmakers...

But as Phil suggested, the Crosstour's looks are its most notable feature. I don't really like them either, particularly the Toyota Venza-like face, but the Crosstour is definitely different and stands out from the rest of Honda's mostly conservatively styled lineup. The cargo area is obviously compromised, especially if you need to transport taller items, but it is trimmed pretty well, with nice carpet and a removable, segmented underfloor storage bucket.

I'm not as opposed to swoopy, coupelike crossovers as Phil is, but I much prefer the looks of the Acura ZDX to those of its Crosstour corporate cousin. It's too bad that Americans will (apparently) no longer cotton to a good-ole Accord wagon.

Rusty Blackwell, Copy Editor

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I, too, am among the crowd questioning this car's existence. While it has great features like all-wheel drive and lots of cargo room, its unappealing styling is too much to overlook. However, during my time with the Honda Crosstour, I found that women complimented its looks while men thought the completely opposite, which tells you something, I suppose, about Honda's target market here.

Honda's 271-hp 6-cylinder engine does a good job of getting the robust Crosstour moving, and the ride is quiet and easy going. The horizontal beam stretching across the rear window is massive and blocks some rearward visibility; the humungous C-pillars don't help. But come nightfall, that same beam coincidentally blocks the bright headlights of cars directly behind.

With the rear seats folded down I was able to haul seven large boxes and 2 or 3 small bags of old clothes to the Salvation Army in one trip. I was amazed that it could swallow that much cargo with ease.

Mike Ofiara, Road Test Coordinator

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I walked out of my house this morning and walked around the Crosstour parked in my driveway, which I drove home last night in the dark. In my mind, I had been under the impression that this car is ugly, because that has been the general consensus in most quarters. But I didn't find it to be ugly. It could be accused of being a little ungainly, sure; but I'm not buying the ugly argument at all. I actually kinda like the whole rear-three-quarter view, actually. The interior is very nice, with typical Honda aesthetics, a nice center stack. In terms of what makes it a Crosstour, the hatch lifts up easily (it doesn't feel heavy), and it exposes a very large, beautifully finished cargo area with a pebble-pattern, quality carpet. There's a deep bin below the flat cargo floor, also, which reminded me of the big bin below the load floor of Honda's pickup truck, the Ridgeline.

The Crosstour also drives very well, with typical Accord dynamics: you know, it's not a BMW, but it's no slouch. Rear visibility is compromised by the cross beam, but it's not that bad. Rear visibility to the sides is actually of more concern, as it's compromised by the sloping D-pillar and the rear seatbacks' headrests, all of which conspires for a rather narrow field of view. To that end, it would be helpful to have a blind-spot detection system, but I didn't find one on this vehicle.

Great seat heaters, with a high/low setting. I see the usefulness of this car. Do not count me among its detractors. And, oh, who will buy it? I saw my neighbors, 50-something empty nesters---she's a teacher, he's an engineer---pulling out of their driveway in one the other day. So, yep, Phil, you got the target market right.

Joe DeMatio, Executive Editor

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I have to admit that I was surprised at how much positive attention this humpback Accord garnered over the weekend. My real estate agent said it was cool. A couple in the Home Depot parking lot was attracted to the styling, which they found sportier than their Accord sedan, and they asked to check out the interior. No one called the Crosstour ugly (though people may have been minding their manners).

So Honda's Accord Crosstour may have some visual appeal, but many people were pretty surprised by the sticker price. Blame that on the sole V-6 powertrain and the nicely appointed interior. From the dash to the rear cargo compartment, materials and finishes are excellent. The rear hatch might not afford the utility of a Honda Pilot, but it is more convenient than a sedan. Loading a six-foot ladder was no problem, and flipping the rear seatbacks flat is especially easy with a pull of two handles on either side of the cargo hold. I do believe, though, that a premium vehicle like this should offer keyless ignition and a power liftgate.

As you might expect from a vehicle that's 60 percent Accord sedan, the Crosstour is quite good to drive. Once you've experienced a full-throttle acceleration run, it's difficult to resist turning every red light or on-ramp into a race. The handling, compared with the rest of the crossover class, is exceptional. Of course, the Crosstour doesn't ride quite as high as the competition, and you'll notice that from the driver's seat. Steering isn't revolutionary, but it is precise enough to keep up with the rest of the Crosstour's capabilities.

Eric Tingwall, Associate Editor

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2010 Honda Accord Crosstour EX-L 4WD

Base price (with destination): $36,930

Price as tested: $36,930

Standard Equipment:

Side and side curtain airbags

Moonroof

Automatic halogen headlights

Fog lights

Dual-zone automatic climate control

Tilt/telescoping steering wheel

10-way power adjustable driver seat

4-way power adjustable passenger seat

360-watt 7-speaker sound system with subwoofer

Auxiliary audio input (headphone and USB)

Daytime running lights

Navigation with voice recognition

Leather trimmed seats

Leather wrapped steering wheel

XM satellite radio

Bluetooth connectivity

Heated front seats

Auto up/down front windows

HomeLink

18-inch aluminum alloy wheels

Options on this vehicle:

None

Key options not on vehicle:

18-inch chrome-look aluminum alloy wheels - $2068

Trailer hitch - $578

Underbody spoilers - $1352

Fuel economy:

(city/hwy/combined)

17 / 25 /20 (4wd)

Engine:

Size: 3.5L SOHC i-VTEC V-6

Horsepower: 271 hp @ 6200 rpm

Torque: 254 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm

Drive:

All-wheel

Transmission:

5-speed automatic

Weight: 4070 lb

Wheels/tires:

18 x 7.0-inch aluminum-alloy wheels

225/60R18 all-season tires

Competitors: Subaru Outback, Toyota Venza

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