Used 2013 Honda Crosstour

A scaled-down alternative to traditional SUVs, the 2013 Honda Crosstour is a conundrum wrapped in an enigma wrapped in sheet metal. Think of it as the Swiss Army Knife of automobiles – equal parts sedan, wagon and SUV. But like a Swiss Army Knife, the Honda Crosstour’s all-in-one design inherently limits the full potential of its various functions. For instance, the sloping roofline compromises both cargo versatility and overall styling, providing its more visually appealing rivals like the Toyota Venza, Ford Edge and Subaru Outback with a near 30-percent advantage in cargo space. Nonetheless, the 2013 Crosstour might be the ticket for those who appreciate the impressive build quality of the Honda Accord sedan but find its conventional trunk and lack of optional all-wheel drive (AWD) too limiting.

Despite its unconventional looks, the 2013 Honda Crosstour’s underpinnings are firmly rooted in the Honda Accord family sedan. On long stretches of open road, the Crosstour possesses the same light and agile driving dynamics as its sedan-equivalent. The handling is crisp and precise, with body roll and lean kept to a minimum in all but the most hardcore driving situations. The 2013 Crosstour’s 3,700-pound curb weight should act to hold it back, but acceleration and throttle response from the 278-horsepower V6 is quite impressive. Honda’s Active Sound Control system cancels out unwanted engine and road noise for a more quiet ride. The Crosstour’s raised ride height gives the driver a commanding view of the road ahead, though rearward visibility is problematic through the narrow rear glass and the bodywork that surrounds it.

The interior of the 2013 Honda Crosstour is nearly identical to the 8th-generation Accord sedan on which it is based. The cabin is tightly constructed with new high-quality materials. The center stack features an attractive, high-tech appearance, but it’s excessively cluttered with identical-looking buttons. In terms of storage, behind the 60/40-split rear seat is a 25.7-cubic-foot cargo area with reversible floor panels, which come in handy when dealing with messy items. With the rear seats folded flat, the Crosstour offers 51.3-cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity, though most wagons and SUVs can accommodate considerably more.

From the outside, the 2013 Honda Crosstour looks like a 4-door Accord onto which a large, sloping rear end has been grafted. Despite the cosmetic “enhancements” for 2013, we still feel the Crosstour’s odd proportions and over-the-top styling cues make it look more like a caricature than a car. The fastback-style rear end severely cuts into the Crosstour’s cargo area, and the narrow opening makes loading bulky items a real challenge. Unlike some of its lofty rivals, however, the Honda Crosstour is an SUV that doesn’t require a leap of faith to exit the vehicle.

HIDDEN REMOVABLE UTILITY BOX
Made of plastic for easy cleanup, the removable utility box adds some two cubic feet of concealed storage space to the rear cargo area.

REAL TIME 4WD
Unlike the Honda Accord, the 2013 Crosstour offers the all-weather capability of available Real Time 4WD. Under normal driving conditions, power is shunted only to the front wheels, improving fuel economy. If the system detects a loss of traction at the front, torque is automatically routed to all four wheels for better grip.

Standard features on the 2013 Honda Crosstour consist of auto-on/off headlights, a rearview-mirror-mounted backup camera display, a USB interface, fabric upholstery, a sliding center console, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, a power moonroof, , a 10-way power driver’s seat, and a 7-speaker audio system with subwoofer. On the safety front, every Crosstour includes six airbags, all of the expected electronic stability controls and active head restraints that tilt forward on impact to help prevent whiplash-related injuries.

Other than the voice-activated navigation system, optional equipment on the 2013 Crosstour is obtained by stepping up to a higher trim level. Notable tech features include Pandora Internet Radio and Aha Radio access, an 8-inch multi-information display with customizable settings, and a multi-angle rear backup camera with guidelines. While a Bluetooth hands-free phone system is included as standard fare, the basic Bluetooth audio profile that allows users to wirelessly stream music to the vehicle is reserved exclusively for the range-topping EX-L model. Other notable options include a new lane-departure warning system, keyless access with push-button start, and a blind spot monitor.

The 2013 Honda Crosstour offers a choice of two engines: a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder or an updated 3.5-liter V6 that produces a 278-horsepower. The V6 mill employs Honda’s Variable Cylinder Management system, which allows the engine to run on three, four or six cylinders, depending on driving demands. A rather outdated 5-speed automatic is the only transmission available on 4-cylinder models, while V6-equipped Crosstours make use of a new 6-speed automatic with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

2.4-liter inline-4
192 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm
162 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/31 mpg

3.5-liter V6
278 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
252 lb-ft of torque @ 4,900 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/30 mpg (front-wheel drive), 19/29 mpg (AWD)