Used 2014 Honda Crosstour

Slotting somewhere between a wagon and crossover SUV, the 2014 Honda Crosstour looks like nothing that’s roamed our roads before. As a sedan, wagon and SUV all rolled into one, the Crosstour could be considered a vehicular jack-of-all-trades – at least on paper. Because at the end of the day, the Honda Crosstour’s one-size-fits-all nature brings about a number of compromises. For instance, the Toyota Venza, Ford Edge, and Subaru Outback simply outclass the Honda Crosstour when it comes to cargo space, while sedans like the Subaru Legacy and Ford Fusion offer superior driving dynamics as well as available all-wheel drive. For all its limitations, however, the 2014 Crosstour is, after all, a Honda. That brings with it a reputation for quality, fuel efficiency, and reliability.

Despite its unconventional looks, the Honda Crosstour’s underpinnings are firmly rooted in the Honda Accord family sedan. On long stretches of open road, the Crosstour feels nearly as light and agile as its sedan-equivalent. The electrically-assisted steering is equally crisp and precise, while body roll and lean are kept to a minimum in all but the most hardcore driving situations. The 2014 Crosstour’s 3,700-pound curb weight should act to hold it back, but acceleration and throttle response from the optional 278-horsepower V6 is quite impressive. Honda’s Active Sound Control system cancels out unwanted engine and road noise for a quieter 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 surrounding bodywork.

Inside, the 2014 Honda Crosstour is nearly identical to the 8th-generation Accord sedan on which it is based. The dash layout is ergonomically smart and constructed with high-quality materials. The center stack features an attractive, high-tech appearance thanks in part to a pair of optional LCD screens. 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 2014 Honda Crosstour looks like a 4-door Accord onto which a large, sloping rear end has been grafted. Despite last year’s cosmetic “enhancements,” we feel the Crosstour’s odd proportions and over-the-top styling cues make it look more 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
Adding nearly two cubic feet of space to the rear cargo area, this removable plastic utility box is easily washable for storing items that would otherwise make a mess of the main compartment.

REAL TIME 4WD
Unlike the Honda Accord, the 2014 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.

For about the same amount of money, the Honda Crosstour offers a far more extensive list of standard equipment than the Ford Edge or the Toyota Venza. In base form, the Crosstour includes auto on/off headlights, a backup camera with on-screen guidelines, a 10-way power driver’s seat, a power moonroof, and a 7-speaker sound system with Bluetooth phone connectivity and a USB port. With regards to safety, all 2014 Honda Crosstours feature six airbags, the latest electronic stability aids, and active headrests designed to minimize whiplash-related injuries in the event of a rear-end collision.

Apart from navigation and all-wheel drive, optional features for the 2014 Honda Crosstour are tied to trim level. Regardless of engine choice, every EX-L model includes forward-collision and lane-departure warning systems, dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery with heated front seats, and touch-screen audio with Pandora Internet radio and hands-free text messaging functionality. On a sour note, only EX-L models offer the basic Bluetooth profile that enables you to wirelessly stream music from your MP3 player or mobile phone to the vehicle. To put that into perspective, the vast majority of modern compact cars include Bluetooth audio streaming as standard fare.

The 2014 Honda Crosstour offers a choice of two engines: a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder or a recently updated 278-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. The optional V6 employs Honda’s Variable Cylinder Management system, which allows the engine to run on three, four or six cylinders, depending on load demands. A rather outdated 5-speed automatic is the only transmission available on 4-cylinder models, while V6-equipped Crosstours make use of a 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 (all-wheel drive)