The new Crosstour is Honda’s latest crossover. It is essentially a wagon based on the company’s popular Accord. Sadly, the

design doesn’t work for me, and not just because the vehicle looks like it has a swollen rear end. The rear end’s steep slant limits cargo space; I had difficulty fitting tall items into the hatch and closing the liftgate.

And the rear window is so steeply raked that visibility is limited. However, the Crosstour has some clever features. The storage space beneath the cargo floor, complete with removable bin, is an excellent idea, as is the release in the rear that folds the second row to expand the cargo space. And the Crosstour handles like a car and drives quite nicely — the V6 engine offers plenty of power with reasonable fuel efficiency. –

Perry Stern

Honda’s all-new Crosstour is an example of form following function as Honda adds functionality and cargo capacity to the midsize Accord. Unfortunately, the resulting form is a 5-door hatchback that is so ungainly and awkward-looking that the additional utility pales in comparison. There just isn’t

a good angle from which to view this vehicle, and the inner beauty is limited by the steeply sloped roofline, which limits the rear cargo area. On a positive note, the Crosstour is powered by Honda’s superb 3.5-liter V6 engine, which churns out 271 horsepower. But the overall driving experience is uninspiring. The Crosstour is all about utility, and that’s exactly how it drives. It does everything you need a vehicle to do, but just isn’t appealing. –

Mike Meredith

The new Crosstour looks like the offspring of tryst between a CR-V and an Accord. Unfortunately for Honda, the combination just doesn’t work visually: It’s an ugly baby. Nevertheless, the Crosstour is a solid utility vehicle. The overall exterior dimensions are short enough for agility in city commuting and parking, though long enough to provide a decent amount of cargo space. The trunk has good storage space, and with the seats down, the combined space is generous enough for most moderate hauling jobs. Like other Hondas, the Crosstour drives well and delivers decent gas mileage.

I achieved 24 mpg in mixed driving. The V6 engine produces 271 horsepower yet seems underpowered when merging and stepping on the gas. Passengers in the back seat should expect tight headroom, and the driver will struggle to see out of the narrow rear window. –

Joe Chulick