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New car reviews » 2011 Honda Accord Crosstour EX-L

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Better than: Acura ZDX
But not as good as: Accord Wagon
GRM Bang For The Buck Index: 72.30  

Don’t confuse this with the Acura ZDX. Honda insists that the Accord Crosstour and ZDX aren’t mechanically related.

This means the Honda family has two distinct undefinables in its product stable. Instead of making an Accord wagon—Americans have avoided station wagons for decades—they designed this hatchback for sedan shoppers wanting a bit more utility.

With an MSRP of nearly $35,000, the Crosstour EX-L commands a $3000 premium over a similarly equipped Accord sedan. The base Accord’s four-cylinder engine isn’t available. Neither is a manual transmission. That means all Crosstour buyers get the Accord V6’s 271-horsepower engine driving the front wheels through a five-speed automatic.

Four-wheel drive is only available as a $1500 premium on the top-spec EX-L trim, but its highway fuel economy score only takes a 1 mpg hit. Our tester was a front-wheel-drive EX-L, which is rated at 18 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.

Other staff views:

David S. Wallens Editorial Director:

For just driving around by myself, I liked this one. It’s comfortable and nicely equipped. I’m not saying that it’s my dream vehicle for hauling around people or tons of stuff, though.

I can see a place for these new slope-back SUVs, though: empty-nesters. If you think of them as SUVs built for two, then they kind of make sense. Kind of.

Still, I’d love to see us get a real Accord wagon. You know, like the one we used to have a billion years ago.

Alan Cesar Associate Editor:

If this is the shape you’re looking for, look no further. No, don’t click on to that hunchbacked freak show that is the Acura ZDX. It’s a waste of time. The Crosstour hits all the high points—which, for starters, is a modicum of utility. I fit my bike in the back without hassle, and without removing any wheels. I can’t say as much for the ZDX.

The interior is Honda nice, but not over the top. Understated is the word of the day. After the ZDX, this car-type thing feels light, nimble, and quick. The door handles are in the right place, and there’s no pretense of a sport mode. Sure, it’s not four-wheel drive, but the extra weight and cost of that system would just be a feel-good option in this vehicle. It’s entirely unnecessary.

Reader comments:

1. MadScientistMatt: — Nov 21, 2011 10:44 a.m.
   

   Is the Crosstour’s back seat actually usable, or did they make it cramped or hard to get into as well? With a real back seat, it might be a useful family car.

2. belteshazzar: — Nov 21, 2011 11:01 a.m.
   

   it reminds me of a SAAB with no personality.

3. nderwater: — Nov 21, 2011 12:31 p.m.
   

   After driving one for a bit, would you honestly say this is a better car than an Accord or CRV?

4. ultraclyde: — Nov 22, 2011 8:16 p.m.
   

   For some reason I really like these in concept and looks but if I’m going to settle for a semi appliance it should get better mileage than my mustang

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