Restyled 2013 Honda Crosstour is Less Expensive, More Fuel-Efficient
Although the refreshed 2013 Crosstour continues on the previous-generation Accord platform, it gains several of the redesigned 2013 Accord's new technologies, including a blind-spot monitoring system, forward-collision warning system, lane-departure warning system, and a new HondaLink smartphone integration system. Additionally, the revamped 2013 Crosstour is equipped with a standard reversing camera system and a driver's side mirror shaped to show the blind spot on the driver's side of the car.
Under the hood, the standard 192-horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and its 5-speed automatic transmission are carried over from the previous car. Models with this engine are front-wheel drive and EPA-rated to get 25 mpg in combined driving.
The optional 3.5-liter V-6 engine is more powerful, and is now rated to generate 278 horsepower and 252 lb.-ft. of torque. A new 6-speed automatic transmission is bolted to this engine, and Honda offers its Real Time 4-wheel-drive system with the V-6.
The V-6 engine is also more fuel-efficient than the previous Crosstour, and wears Honda's new "Earth Dreams" appellation, which references the company's new family of fuel-efficient powertrains. The V-6 gains Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology, which in a bid to increase fuel economy allows the engine to operate on half of its cylinders under certain driving conditions. Honda says the EPA will rate the Crosstour's V-6 at 22 mpg in combined driving when paired with the optional Real Time 4-wheel-drive system.
In addition to the new safety features and powertrains, changes for the 2013 Honda Crosstour include new styling, updated interior, extra standard equipment, and a HondaLink smartphone integration system, which runs applications off the cloud. Honda also says that it has made changes to improve the Crosstour's roof crush strength, a factor that has kept the crossover SUV off of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's "Top Safety Pick" list for several years.
2012 Honda Crosstour Ratings
All Honda Model Ratings