Honda confirms Accord-based Crosstour CUV


Our spy photographers have been sending us pictures of Honda’s forthcoming crossover since November of last year, but the Japanese automaker has finally confirmed the upcoming Toyota Venza fighter. As expected, Honda’s Accord-based crossover will be called the Crosstour.


In response to Toyota’s recently launched Venza crossover, Honda is preparing a new CUV based on the Accord. Although visually similar to the upcoming Acura ZDX, the Crosstour will not ride on the ZDX’s platform.

Based on a modified Honda Accord chassis, this all-new crossover vehicle will start production in September of this year at the East Liberty factory in Ohio (the ZDX will be produced in Alliston, Ontario). The Accord CUV will slot in-between CR-V and Pilot and will look to do battle with Toyota’s new Venza CUV.

These early-production prototypes are powered by Honda’s 3.5 i-VTEC engine, but earlier this year, we observed powertrain mules testing alongside a 2010 Acura RDX. We also noticed these mules accelerating rather briskly, so the 2.3L four-cylinder turbo motor from the RDX may also have a chance of making it into the Accord CUV.

One thing we can say for sure about this vehicle is that AWD will be an option. A close look at this prototype reveals that it has a rear differential. More than likely, this means the car has Honda’s VTM-4 AWD system.

Look for the Honda Crosstour to bow at an upcoming auto show before hitting the market this fall as a 2010 model.