Unveiling the 2013 Honda Crosstour – Does it Finally Make Sense?
Mark your calendars, because next Tuesday (November 20, 2012) will be the date that the 2013 Honda Crosstour goes on sale in the US. There’s no denying that the former Crosstour Accord has struggled in years past, but this year Honda is looking to firmly cement the distinction between CUV and sedan. As you continue reading, you’ll learn why this year is the first time you should actually consider the Honda Crosstour as your next reliable Japanese car.
Love it or hate it, there’s no denying that every year the Crosstour becomes more and more distinguished (no more of this Crosstour Accord cross-class nonsense), and it looks like 2013 is no different. With a bevy of new features, a more rugged cross-road design, and a baseline MSRP ($27,230) that’s actually lower than the 2012 model, the 2013 Crosstour is definitely worth checking out. Ladies and gentlemen, the Crosstour is finally its own car.
The 2013 Honda Crosstour Finally Feels Like a Crossover SUV
Honda’s goal with the Crosstour has always been to create a car that fills the role of “people pleaser”. It’s intended to look like a rugged sedan on the outside, but feel like an SUV on the inside. They want it to be spacious enough for your wife to pick up the kids, but sleek enough that you can tolerate being seen within its metallic confines. It shouldn’t come as any surprise that this is much easier said than done, and their questionable attempts in years past have felt more like foul balls than home runs. This year, though, Honda is determined to meet their sales projections, and after listening to their customers they may have finally hit this one out of the park.
A revamped aesthetic is the first step to making the Honda Crosstour more appealing. If you’re aware of what the car has looked like in years past, you’ll notice a more rugged front clip, a slightly more pronounced tailgate, a new grille and generally higher-contrast exterior styling. In short, this year the Crosstour actually looks like it was fashioned after an off-road vehicle instead of a station wagon. The 2013 model also comes in two new colors – Kona Coffee Metallic and Mountain Air Metallic.
As far as the interior is concerned, the Crosstour sees more than a few improvements over the 2012 model. Superior materials, redesigned headrests, keyless ignition and entry, and a brand-new 8 inch information display are all features that will make your time within the car both comfortable and convenient. And of course, you will still find the spacious utility cargo hold behind the back seat that’s been there since its release in 2009…That’s the one thing that the Crosstour has always gotten right.
What About Drivability? Safety?
A very reliable brand even among other Japanese car manufacturers, safety and drivability have never been the primary obstacles to the Honda Crosstour seeing success, but still, every little bit counts.
One problem that previous Crosstour models had was slightly limited visibility, so Honda included a rearview camera, less intrusive rear head rests and an expanded rearview mirror. In addition you get the trademark Honda LaneWatch display to cover your blindspots, and Forward Collision Warning / Lane Departure Warning to keep you alert and safe while driving.
Speaking of driving, the 2013 Honda Crosstour handles exceptionally well with either a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (cheaper) or a 3.5-liter six cylinder engine (more expensive), the latter of which includes Variable Cylinder Management to improve fuel efficiency. The 2013 Honda Crosstour is estimated to average 2 more miles to the gallon than the 2012 model, which certainly adds up over time. As far as power, the car is capable of outputting 192 horespower or 278 horsepower depending on which model you purchase.
All in all, the 2013 Honda Crosstour feels like it finally meets the goals that the Japanese car manufacturer originally set for the line back in 2009. The fact that they’ve been able to make all of these improvements ・both aesthetic and functional ・since 2012 and still lower the price on the baseline four-cylinder models is nothing to scoff at, and if nothing else you should give one of these 2013 models a test drive. After all, to truly experience any car, you need to be inside, and this one seems unlikely to disappoint.
Source: Autoblog
