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2015 Honda Crosstour a last generation Accord with a hatch
« : Ianuarie 04, 2015, 08:44:55 a.m. »
2015 Honda Crosstour a last generation Accord with a hatch


http://www.examiner.com/article/2015-honda-crosstour-a-last-generation-accord-with-a-hatch?cid=rss




The 2015 Honda Crosstour is unchanged from 2014 which – in the face of falling sales - immediately raised questions in our mind as to its viability going forward. Though originally considered to be an innovative optional version of the highly successful Honda Accord – it never really caught on and Honda finally dropped the Accord name association with Crosstour some three years ago as part of a major refresh. But the refresh and name change did not slow the downward sales slide that continues today.

As we see it, the Crosstour’s quirky styling (which tries to bridge the best of an Accord sedan with a CUV) does not resonate with today’s customer who is wanting a purpose designed CUV or SUV. Call it whatever they like, the Crosstour is still a Honda Accord sedan with a hatch. Customers who want an Accord sedan, buy one. If they want a CUV, they either look at the smaller Honda CR-V or consider a competing CUV or SUV.

Honda, in the face of Crosstour sales that are in free fall (likely less than 12,000 in 2014), needs to figure out if the Crosstour should continue in their lineup and, if so, what they need to do to give it purposeful identity and capability that resonates with customers as either a CUV or SUV.

Their failure to update it at all for 2015, even with any of the updates made in the 2015 Accord, suggests it may be on the way out – or is it?


Our ride and drive test Crosstour was the nicely equipped top-of-the-line EX-L 4WD with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System in Modern Steel Metallic and Black interior. The power train was anchored by a 3.5L V6 pushing out 278 horsepower with 252 lb.-ft. of torque delivered to the Honda Real Time 4-Wheel Drive via a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

The base MSRP for our test Crosstour was $37,390. The optional (very nice looking) Chrome-Look Alloy Wheels replaced the standard 18-inch wheels for another $1,596. With delivery, this Crosstour EX-L 4WD w/NAV, V6 and six-speed automatic priced at $39,866.

Mechanically, the Crosstour is similar to the Accord with a double wishbone suspension up front and multi-link in the rear – using front and rear stabilizer bars with electric power-assisted rack and pinion steering.

Exterior features included a One-Touch Power Moonroof with Tilt Feature, Remote Smart Entry, Variable Intermittent Wipers, Projector-Beam Halogen Headlamps and Fog Lamps and Heated Power Side Mirrors with reverse tilt-down feature.

On the inside, the front seating was powered, heated and leather trimmed with a storage console separating driver from passenger. The rear seat is an Easy Fold-Down 60/40 Split Back with Center Armrest. The steering wheel is tilt and telescoping with leather wrapping and includes audio and feature control buttons. Climate control is automatic dual zone with and air-filtration system while nice ambient lighting plus task lighting assists driver and passengers at night.

Technology includes the Honda Lane Watch system, Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation, Push Button Start, i-MID with 8-inch High Resolution Display, 360-Watt Premium Audio System with 7-speakers including a sub-woofer, audio system touch screen in the center stack, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth Streaming Audio, Bluetooth Hands-Free, Pandora compatibility, and MP3 Jack and USB Interface.

Safety features included on our Crosstour were Forward Collison Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control, Electronic Brake Distribution with Brake Assist, Tire Pressure Monitoring, Daytime Running Lights, and a high resolution Multi-Angle Rearview Camera with Dynamic Guidelines.

The 2015 Crosstour comes in just two styles EX and EX-L, 2WD and 4WD (V6 only) and a 2.4L four-cylinder or 3.5L V6 engine. The price ranges are $25,530 for the 2WD EX with four-cylinder up $35,290 for the 4WD EX-L with V6. The upcharge for the Honda Navigation system is $1,500 and to 4WD is $1,500.

Ride and Drive Impressions

The Honda Crosstour is a good drive – roomy with comfortable seating both front and rear. It is well powered by the V6 and six-speed automatic drivetrain with good handling characteristics coming in part, from the 18-inch wheels and the electric power-assisted steering.

Fuel economy is reasonable in the Crosstour powered by the V6 – rated at 19/28 mpg city/highway with an expected average of 22 mpg. The Real Time 4-Wheel Drive system is a plus on the V6 - giving the Crosstour a more solid road handling feel and responsiveness.

Honda also included their Honda Lane Watch system in our Crosstour which provides the driver a camera display screen view of the right road side of the vehicle each time the turn signal indicator is activated for a right turn. We think every manufacturer should be including a similar safety feature.

We were, however, concerned about a couple of things related to its quirky exterior styling. The slope of the rear roof and articulation of the hatchback make access to the cargo bay area a bit awkward for the taller person. A comparable CUV with a more vertical rear hatch placement (like the Honda CR-V) is easier to access and actually has more cargo capacity than the Crosstour. Additionally, the design of the sloping rear hatch frame and windows impair vision to the rear.

But we were impressed with the very practical large rectangular (and removable – lift out) storage compartment hidden under the deck at the rear of the cargo area.

On the inside, the Crosstour is just this side of ‘blah’ – especially in the black – reflecting the design of the last generation of the Honda Accord and use of very average materials and finishes. We did note that they have improved the acoustics soundproofing as the cabin is indeed quieter than previous generations of the Crosstour.

We also liked the dual display screens in the center stack, taking particular note of the placement of the top screen – properly shaded – so that it can easily be read bring sunlight or at night. Other manufacturers should take note.

Future of Crosstour

With sales continuing to slide for this quirky cross between a sedan, CUV and SUV - and with customer demand moving more to CUV and SUV type vehicles – we wonder if there is a next generation Crosstour in the offing for 2016.

The blogosphere has been alive with a lot of comment that Honda is committed to a revamped Crosstour for 2016, but offering very little detail other than vague references to exterior styling updates, interior materials upgrades and some improvement in the powertrains.

In 2015, we see the Honda Accord sedan continuing to lead its segment, the Honda CR-V four-door crossover hatchback further accelerating momentum and now, there is the new Honda HR-V two-door crossover hatchback coming to the market in 2015.

Reportedly, more information on a new Crosstour will be available late in 2015. We aren’t sure that the current Crosstour will survive that long. But maybe it will - limping along until Honda gives us a Crosstour that finally defines itself more crisply as a competitive CUV/SUV in that segment.

We think they will.
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