2015 Honda Crosstour Starts at $27,530

2014 honda crosstour ・ Photo by Honda

Even as the next-gen Honda Accord continues to build sales momentum, memories of the previous model—along with a significant chunk of its hardware—will carry on beneath the skin of the 2015 Honda Crosstour. In fact, the 2015 Honda Crosstour is on sale now with an MSRP of $27,530 (representing a $150 premium over the entry point of the 2014 model).

Now, as some folks may remember, the Crosstour originally debuted as the Accord Crosstour, and was designed to serve as a slightly more crossover-ish alternative to the now-defunct Accord wagon. As such, it was built on the same platform as the previous generation Accord, which, just to be clear, launched as an all-new model earlier this year.

So you could say the 2015 Honda Crosstour relies on a proven architecture, then builds on that foundation with standard features like:

• A rearview camera with guidelines
• Bluetooth Hands-Free Link
• Premium audio, with seven speakers (including subwoofer), 360 watts of power, USB and auxiliary inputs, and steering-wheel-mounted controls
• Filtered air conditioning
• Power windows, locks and heated exterior mirrors
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Chrome accents
• Active noise cancellation

The result is a fairly lux package that is further complemented by a surprisingly versatile cabin: Leveraging a 60/40 split folding rear seat, the 2015 Honda Crosstour offers 51.3 cubic feet of storage space—nearly as much as vehicles like the Ford C-MAX or Hyundai Tucson. And while those traditionally designed entries may offer a bit more room, they can't match the driving dynamics of the 2015 Honda Accord, with its sophisticated double-wishbone front suspension, multi-link rear setup, and stabilizer bars both front and back.

Motivating the 2015 Honda Crosstour is a choice of two engines, each mated to its own automatic transmission. The starting point is a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder powerplant matched with a five-speed automatic for 192 horses, 162 lb.-ft. of torque, and EPA grades of 22 mpg city/31 mpg highway/25 mpg combined; a more powerful 3.5-liter V6 is on the menu as well, paired with a six-speed paddle-shifting automatic, and that powertrain provides 278 hp, 252 lb.-ft. of torque, and an EPA line of 19/28/22.

Customers for the V6-powered 2015 Honda Crosstour also can add the automaker's "Real Time 4WD" all-wheel-drive technology for a bit more confidence in rough driving conditions.