2012 Honda Crosstour

Exterior and Interior

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

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

The list of standard equipment includes: 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.

Engine

Under the hood, the Crosstour keeps the same 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) that delivers a total of 271 HP at 6,200 RPM and 254 lb-ft. of torque at 5,000 RPM. The engine is mated to a technologically advanced 5-speed automatic transmission and delivers a fuel economy of 18/26/21 mpg (city/highway/combined).

Prices

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. 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 HP at 5,800 rpm and 182 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,200 rpm and a 3.5-liter V6 producing 268 HP at 6,200 rpm and 246 lb.-ft 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 - bit it is powered by a 3.7 liter V6 engine that delivers a total of 300 HP and 270 lb-ft of torque.