New Car: 2013 Honda Crosstour

Considering Honda's Accord is all new for 2013, you might expect that the Accord-based crossover called Crosstour would get a similar makeover. But the common folk's X6 carries on unswervingly. Just like the hurriedly refreshed 2013 Civic, Honda's affordable family crossover gets mostly cosmetic changes. But there also is a slightly more powerful V-6 engine, and a number of equipment changes to keep the crossover wagon up to date. While Crosstour customers may be few and far between, they are a loyal bunch, and Honda does well to keep them happy with modest changes. 

These changes, however, are easy to miss if you’re not paying close enough attention. For 2013, the grille is highlighted with a massive chrome frame, bringing it in line with the new Accord and face-lifted Civic. There now are vast amounts of unpainted cladding on the lower parts of the body, trimmed by a shiny metallic strip on the side and faux skid plates front and rear. Honda says it’s added a "more rugged" look to the Crosstour, and if this inspires you to go hunting or mudding, you will appreciate the reversible floor panels, which "accommodate messy cargo."

Whatever misadventure tickles your fancy most, chances are you won't get stuck out there, thanks to the Crosstour's 6.2-inch ground clearance and an all-wheel-drive system that is available on the V-6 model. The Crosstour's powertrain portfolio includes the essentially unchanged 2.4-liter four-cylinder—a pleasant, high-revving unit that makes 192 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque—and a new 3.5-liter V-6 with 278 hp and 252lb-ft of torque. Despite its Earth Dreams moniker, this engine is very much awake, serving up high levels of torque over a far wider stretch of the rev band than the previous V-6. Thanks to the car’s cylinder-deactivation system, it can run on three or six cylinders; the reward is decent fuel economy. The EPA estimates the front-wheel-drive V-6 will be good for 20 mpg in the city and 29 on the highway, while all-wheel-drive V-6 Crosstours will get marks of 18/28; the four-cylinder will be good for 22/31. 

Thanks to: Car and Driver