2013 Honda Crosstour Concept Maintains Status Quo At New York Auto Show

• More powerful V-6.
• Slight styling tweaks.
• Safety upgrades.

• Honda Crosstour sales have slumped, so something had to be done.
• Honda is determined to make the Crosstour ‘work.’

• Honda LaneWatch blind spot monitoring system.
• Optional Real Time four-wheel drive.
• Improved interior materials.

2013 Honda Crosstour Concept Debut: Styling

The 2013 Honda Crosstour Concept looks quite a bit like the first generation of the crossover with the addition of a more aggressive front end treatment as well as a few other changes to the vehicle’s trim.  The inside of the car is a styling mystery thanks to Honda’s blacked-out windows and locked door policy, but the company insists that improvements are on the way in the form of paddle shifters, keyless entry and an eight-inch, dash-mounted LCD display.

The 2013 Honda Crosstour Concept is motivated by either a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine offering up 192 horsepower or a revised 3.5-liter V-6 that will offer more than the 271 ponies available in from the similar motor currently found in the Crosstour.  A five-speed automatic transmission is standard with the four-cylinder while the V-6 gains a six-speed auto and cylinder-deactivation technology to help with fuel economy.

2013 Honda Crosstour Concept Debut: Competition

It’s really hard to say what vehicles are cross-shopped against the Crosstour Concept, because although Honda positions the vehicle as a mid-size premium crossover the market sees it very differently.  Fans of mid-size wagons could conceivably be interested in test-driving the Crosstour.

We admire Honda’s determination to show mid-size crossover buyers why the 2013 Honda Crosstour Concept should not be overlooked – we just wish that they had brought a more compelling design to the New York Auto Show.