Honda unveiled the Accord Crosstour in 2009 - a model that begged to be a competitor for the BMW X6. Things didn't turn out as expected and the Accord Crosstour turned out to be a flop. So, in 2012, Honda->ke34decided to change things up a bit and tackle the same competitors it failed against in the previous generation. As a result, Honda dropped the Accord name - and simply called it the Honda Crosstour. It received updates for both the exterior and interior to spice things up. For 2012, the Crosstour was offered in two trim levels - EX and EX-L - both of which were powered by a 3.5-liter, i-VTEC, V-6 engine that delivered a total of 271 HP at 6,200 RPM and 254 lb-ft. of torque at 5,000 RPM. In early 2015, Honda announced this it was discontinuing the Crosstour model.

These changes didn't really help either, so Honda decided to give it one more try. As a result, the Honda Crosstour will receive even more changes for the 2013 model year. We'll all have to look closely to even notice these changes, but we guess a certain amount of credit needs to be given for the effort. Most of the changes will be made to the power source, which includes a 4-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 192 HP and improved fuel economy: 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, 25 mpg combined. The V6 engine's output has been raised to 278 HP, while rated at fuel economy is 20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, 23 mpg combined.

Honda has even decided to lower the price of the Honda Crosstour, allowing it a base model price of $27,230, about $500 less than the previous model year. Will that help? We doubt it, but there is always hope!

UPDATE 11/15/2012: Honda has unveiled the official details on the 2013 Crosstour.

Hit the jump to read more about the 2012-2013 Honda Crosstour.

2012 - 2013 Honda Crosstour

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2012 - 2013 Honda Crosstour
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 271 @ 6200
  • Torque: 254 @ 5000
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior and Interior

For the 2012 model year, the Crosstour received a bold, aerodynamic look that concealed an accommodating rear cargo area with a large, lift-over tailgate. Honda also offered two new exterior colors: Twilight Blue Metallic replacing Glacier Blue Metallic, and Basque Red Pearl replacing Tango Red Pearl.

The interior received an under-floor storage area in the rear of the vehicle that added functionality, while reversible cargo floor panels accommodate dirty objects.

The list of standard equipment included: projector-beam headlights, fog lights, 17-inch aluminum wheels with P225/65R17 all-season tires, a moonroof, body-colored power side mirrors with defrost, chrome door handles, auto up/down driver and front passenger side windows and rear privacy glass, dual-zone automatic air conditioning with second-row ventilation, a 360-watt AM/FM 6-disc audio system with seven speakers, steering wheel-integrated audio controls, a compass and outside temperature indicator, cruise control, an easy fold-down 60-40 split rear seatback, a hidden removable utility box and more.

2013 Updates

For the 2013 model year, changes to the exterior are very subtle and Honda focused on offering a more rugged, active, and premium look. The EX models are offered with standard 17-inch alloy wheels, while the EX-L will get standard 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside the cabin, Honda added an upgraded design and materials. Honda also added an under-floor storage area in the rear of the vehicle for even more functionality.

2013 Changes:

-More rugged and premium exterior styling

-Upgraded interior design and materials

-More powerful available Earth Dream 3.5-liter V-6 engine

-Class-leading EPA-estimated fuel economy – up to an estimated 31 mpg highway

-Standard visibility enhancements including rearview camera, re-shaped rear headrests and Expanded View Driver's Mirror

-Available 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters (V-6)

-Available Honda LaneWatc blind-spot display

-Available HondaLink featuring Aha compatibility

-Available Smart Entry with Push Button start

-Available Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

-New Kona Coffee Metallic and Mountain Air Metallic exterior colors

Engine

Under the hood, the 2012 Crosstour kept the same 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) that delivered a total of 271 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 254 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. The engine was mated to a technologically advanced 5-speed automatic transmission and delivered a fuel economy of 18/26/21 mpg (city/highway/combined).

In January 2012, the Crosstour also received a 2.4-liter i-VTEC inline four-cylinder engine that produced 192 horsepower and returned a fuel economy of 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.

2013 Updates

Just like the 2012 model, the 2013 Crosstour will be offered with a choice of two engines: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and 3.5 liter V-6. Both now offer improved fuel economy, while the V-6 engine also delivers more power.

The four-cylinder version delivers a total of 192 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 162 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm while return a fuel economy of 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. The V-6 engine's output has been raised to 278 horsepower at 6,200 rpm (an increase of 7 HP) and 252 pound-feet of torque at 4,900 rpm. The V-6 engine’s fuel economy has been improved to 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.

Prices

2012 Prices:

Model

Transmission

MSRP

EPA (City/Hwy/Combined)

Crosstour 2WD EX

5-Speed Automatic

$30,340

18/27/21

Crosstour 2WD EX-L

5-Speed Automatic

$32,990

18/27/21

Crosstour 2WD EX-L Navi

5-Speed Automatic

$35,090

18/27/21

Crosstour 4WD EX-L

5-Speed Automatic

$34,440

18/26/21

Crosstour 4WD EX-L Navi

5-Speed Automatic

$36,540

18/26/21


2013 Prices:

Model

Transmission

MSRP

EPA (City/Hwy/Combined)

4-cylinder models

Crosstour 2WD EX

5-Speed Automatic

$27,230

22/31/25

Crosstour 2WD EX-L

5-Speed Automatic

$30,915

22/31/25

Crosstour 2WD EX-L Navi

5-Speed Automatic

$33,015

22/31/25

V-6 models

Crosstour 2WD EX

6-Speed Automatic

$30,890

20/29/23

Crosstour 2WD EX-L

6-Speed Automatic

$33,540

20/29/23

Crosstour 2WD EX-L Navi

6-Speed Automatic

$35,640

20/29/23

Crosstour 4WD EX-L

6-Speed Automatic

$34,990

18/28/22

Crosstour 4WD EX-L Navi

6-Speed Automatic

$37,090

18/28/22


Competition

The Honda Crosstour was initially thought of as a competitor for the BMW X6, but the model wasn't as successful as the company planned, so the strategy had to be changed and the Crosstour is now a direct competitor for the Toyota Venza->ke2985. Now, the Crosstour has weaker goals to achieve and may still be unsuccessful considering the Venza is about $4K cheaper, and offers cargo capacity and a slightly better fuel economy. It also has the advantage of being offered with two different engines: a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine delivers 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 182 foot-pounds of torque at 4,200 rpm and a 3.5-liter V6 producing 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 246 pound-feet of torque at 4,700 rpm.

Aside from the Venza, there are many other competitive models to choose from - the Acura ZDX being one of them. The ZDX is a bit more expensive than the Crosstour -- it starts from $45,645 -- but it is powered by a 3.7 liter V-6 engine that delivers a total of 300 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque.