2013 Honda Crosstour Concept Front Right Side View

2013 Honda Crosstour Concept to Debut at New York Auto Show

March 21, 2012

By Edward A. Sanchez

Honda will unveil a concept version of the 2013 Crosstour at the 2012 New York Auto Show next month. The somewhat controversial crossover was introduced for the 2009 model year, powered exclusively by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine. Since its introduction, the Crosstour lineup has expanded with an available 2.4-liter four cylinder for customers seeking improved fuel economy.

Positioned just below the more truck-like Pilot SUV, the Crosstour has failed to catch on like its boxier big brother, selling only 17,974 units for 2011, compared to the Pilot's 116,297 for the same period. Crosstour sales hit their peak in 2010, when 28,851 units moved off dealers' lots. Despite the seemingly tepid sales of the Crosstour, Honda is quick to point out that it won J.D. Power and Associates award for the highest-ranked midsize crossover/SUV in the firm's Initial Quality survey for 2011.

It's unknown whether powertrain changes will accompany the expected mid-cycle styling refresh. The Accord concept shown at 2012 Detroit Auto Show featured Honda's new Earth Dreams suite of advanced technologies to be applied across Honda's next-generation four-cylinder and V-6 engines, with direct-injection being a key facilitator of improved efficiency and cleaner emissions.

Source: Honda