Spy Shots: Honda CrossTour caught in the Smokies
by Damon Lavrinc on May 29th 2009 at 12:30PM 
VWVortex forum member GoVdubSPEEDGo (presumably"M. Balisky") was vacationing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park when he came across a duo of Honda wagon/crossover mules. The crew over at Temple of VTEC have dubbed it the upcoming CrossTour, and tapped one of their sources to confirm the new CUV won't share the forthcoming Acura ZDX's platform.Coupled with the spy shots that surfaced last October, these newest images prove that Honda is well on its way to creating some kind of crossover that could slot in near the CR-V, although drivetrain details and a fall 2009 on-sale date are still speculative. As for the pseudo-wagon's styling, it's essentially your standard four-door Accord equipped with an elongated hatch and a sloping roofline. We'll leave it to you to pass judgment in the comments below.
[Source: VWVortex via TOV]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
click_playaz 12:35PM (5/29/2009)
No doubt! it's an ugly Accord, Venza is much better!
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chineyz954 1:38PM (5/29/2009)
Wow, the Honda Panamera!
Brandon 1:51PM (5/29/2009)
I think you're confused. All Accords are currently ugly.
Redline 2:06PM (5/29/2009)
US or Euro Accord?
Jei 4:05PM (5/29/2009)
They're kidding, right? Are they trying to mimic the Panamera in an attempt to offer a low-cost version for the masses?
There are rumors of an Acura version of the Honda CrossTour. This might be the Acura version. Don't matter, both mules are give quite a "special" peak at more questionable exterior designs.
sophie 2:11AM (5/30/2009)
@chineyz954,
yeah but Honda will say oh, it may look like we're copying the Panamera, but really Porsche just copied the original 1976 Accord and added doors to get the Panamera, so we're really only copying ourselves!
(parenthetical note to really drive home the obvious "2010 Insight copied Prius copied CRX & old Insight" reference)
and for those of you too lazy to google the 1976 Accord:
http://ow.ly/a1hE
my work is done here.
JH 6:06AM (5/30/2009)
I actually quite like this thing, although I am always a fan of the 4-door hatch, like the old 9-3, Elantra GT, Protege5. Although I will grant you this is too big, it's edging dangerously close to Honda Aztec territory.
tekd 5:30PM (5/30/2009)
It looks like Chrysler Crossfire rear ended a Nissan Maxima then got beat with the same ugly stick as the Panamera. Seriously, what's going on with Honda and their designs lately?! Between the Acura grilles, the Accord Sedan, and the Ridgeline I'm starting to think their designers have lost their minds. They're damned lucky the Fit and Civic apparently haven't caught whatever disease is destroying all the other designers' brains.
Andrew L 12:35PM (5/29/2009)
I thought this was going to be like a wagon.... but this? this is aweful... not needed
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garlick 1:00PM (5/29/2009)
I love the lines on the ZDX, but hate the lines on this thing.
They finally gave Acura the better looking vehicle on this one. That hasn't been the trend over the last few years.
garlinski 1:03PM (5/29/2009)
Completely agree.. the spy shot yesterday was a much better looking vehicle that this... looks like the ZDX and I'm not loving that at all.
geo.stewart 12:35PM (5/29/2009)
bleccchhh
either buy a wagon or SUV. this thing is all kinds of hideous.
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Bill 12:37PM (5/29/2009)
Puts me in mind of a BMW X6 more than a Venza.
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Franz 12:42PM (5/29/2009)
Whatever happened to plain old wagon body styles? Everyone and their Grandma seems to think that these Quasimodo looking things are they way to go... and IMO, they're not.
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John P. 12:57PM (5/29/2009)
I agree, the Audi wagons are particularly attractive, not just for a wagon, but as a car in general. I guess they just don't have enough market so they do this kind of stuff?
Jared 1:16PM (5/29/2009)
Agreed. Just give me a wagon, please. Wagons have more room, better visibility, and they are more attractive as well.
chconline 12:42PM (5/29/2009)
Seriously, bring over the Honda Stream. I've never really cared much for this vehicle until I'm in Hong Kong right now, and it's a very attractive wagon and I'm sure it would sell across the ocean. They don't even need to spend money to create a new car like this. What's the point? Save some cash and make the NSX and a real S2000 successor.
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AIL 1:02PM (5/29/2009)
Do you have any idea what you are talking about, what so ever?
Even if this is a flop for Honda, it will likely still yield and ORDER OF MAGNITUDE more money made than a hit NSX successor and a hit S2000 replacement combined.
The sales numbers for more "everyday" vehicles absolutely dwarf the cool vehicles. Why do you think Toyota made so much money? Camrys or MR-Spyders?
jgp 1:12PM (5/29/2009)
Volume is meaningless.
Why do you think Porsche is in a position to buy Volkswagen? Volume sales are a losing proposition; selling big-ticket, low-volume items is the most effective business plan.
Rich 4:02PM (5/29/2009)
@jgp: errr, they're not. Try to keep up, will you?