The Honda Crosstour, a bizarre sedan-coupe-SUV hybrid produced from 2010 to 2015, failed to attract buyers and was beaten by its more successful siblings, the CR-V and Pilot. According to a CarBuzz report, the Crosstour was a better Accord but went unnoticed.
The Honda Crosstour is one of the strangest cars Honda produced in the last decade. It combined coupe sedan lines with SUV height and optional all-wheel drive, but it failed commercially. According to a CarBuzz report, the Crosstour was a ‘better Accord’ but the public preferred traditional SUVs.
What was the Honda Crosstour?
Launched in 2010 as a replacement for the Accord Coupe, the Crosstour featured a bizarre design: a sloping coupe-like roof, long wheelbase, and large cargo space. It was available with a 4-cylinder or V6 engine, and optional all-wheel drive. The goal was to offer a sporty utility vehicle, but the design didn’t appeal.
Why did the Crosstour fail?
Controversial design
Critics described its shape as ‘incoherent,’ looking like an unnaturally raised sedan. The public didn’t accept the idea of a hybrid sedan-SUV.
Strong internal competition
Honda’s CR-V and Pilot were more practical and appealing, at similar prices. Buyers preferred traditional SUVs over the odd Crosstour.
How did it compare to the Accord and CR-V?
The Crosstour was longer and wider than the Accord, offering more cargo space (about 740 liters). However, it was heavier and less dynamic than the Accord, and less practical than the CR-V. The V6 engine with 278 hp was excellent, but it didn’t compensate for the design flaws.
Was the Crosstour a bad car?
On the contrary, it was a good car in practice: comfortable ride, powerful engine, all-wheel drive. But it came at the wrong time, as the market was shifting toward classic SUVs. Production ended in 2015 after weak sales.
Lessons learned
The Crosstour taught Honda that strange designs don’t sell, even if the car is good. Today, Honda focuses on more traditional designs like the CR-V and HR-V. The Crosstour remains a unique but commercially failed experiment.
Will the Crosstour come to Saudi Arabia?
The Honda Crosstour was never officially sold in Saudi Arabia, but some dealers imported limited quantities. Currently, there are no plans to revive it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Honda Crosstour a good car?
Yes, it was a good car in practice: powerful engine, comfortable ride, and large cargo space. However, its controversial design and market mismatch led to commercial failure.
Why did the Honda Crosstour fail?
It failed due to its polarizing design that didn't appeal to buyers, plus strong internal competition from the more practical and attractive Honda CR-V and Pilot.
Is the Honda Crosstour available in Saudi Arabia?
It was never officially sold in Saudi Arabia, but some dealers imported limited quantities. Currently, there are no plans to resume production.
What's the difference between the Crosstour and Accord?
The Crosstour was longer and wider, with more cargo space and optional all-wheel drive. However, it was heavier, less dynamic, and had a less conventional design than the Accord.
How much does a used Honda Crosstour cost?
Prices vary by condition and model year, but typically range between SAR 40,000 and SAR 80,000 in the used car market.
Sources
- CarBuzz — Honda's Most Awkward Sedan Was Beaten Badly By Its SUV Brother
