Reader Spy: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour caught out again
2010 Honda Accord Crosstour spy photos - Click above for a high-res image gallery
Reader Jackson De Oliviera dropped us a line this weekend to let us know he caught the highly-controversial Honda Accord Crosstour out in the wild and had posted the shots he took on his blog, DriveToEscape.com. Jackson was kind enough to allow us to reprint those photos in our gallery below. In short, Jackson's pics probably aren't about to change any minds regarding the Crosstour's looks.
In its coverage of the ongoing Crosstour Facebook debacle, Automotive News (posting to CNET's CarTech blog) notes the open revulsion the car has been met with on Honda's dedicated Facebook page, as well as in the comment sections of blogs like the one you're reading right now. AN also repeats the hastily-assembled Honda PR narrative that the negative reaction of "enthusiasts" is to be expected, and that market research indicates that the Crosstour will fare well with the "crossover intenders" that Honda views as the image buyers for the car.
This may well turn out to be true, but it wasn't so long ago that Honda's styling once had an inherent, universal appeal – to enthusiasts and casual observers alike. That, however, has given way to a stream of increasingly polarizing designs culminating with the Accord Crosstour. Polarizing can sell; just ask BMW. But judging by the peanut gallery's comments and many of our staffers murmurings over here, we'll take Honda's old-style elegance and understatement over seemingly forced weirdness any day. Designing the Crosstour specifically for "crossover intenders" may deliver a vehicle that niche buyer will happily pay for, but it all remains to be seen.
Photos Copyright ©2009 Jackson De Oliviera/DriveTo Escape.com. Used with permission.
[Source: CNET.com | Images: Drive To Escape]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
Chris 11:35AM (9/08/2009)
I really like these. I know a ton of people are posting hate, but I think they're practical looking, and great for a semi-utility vehicle for the family.
Reply
MaX PL 11:37AM (9/08/2009)
which division of honda do you work for?
Rich 11:39AM (9/08/2009)
"practical looking" Yes. That's the most positive thing anyone can say about its looks.
I know a lot of people don't buy a car for its looks, but good looks are a bonus, right? And you just have to look back a decade and a half along this very car's lineage to see how looks were a *big* bonus. Now it's turned into the most hideous monstrosity we've ever encountered.
Chris 11:43AM (9/08/2009)
nope, not for Honda. Don't think I'd work for a car company unless I could drive the cars. A lot...
FOREX 12:00PM (9/08/2009)
Practical? It would be practical if it was a wagon. It would probably look a lot better too. I love practical cars, but this one is just ugly.
akboss302 12:01PM (9/08/2009)
It is funny looking, and I question what the rear visibility would be like, but I have to admit its a good concept. It offers a lot of what people want in bigger 4x4's while removing a lot of the drawbacks, and if it turns out to be a good driver, Honda could have another winner.
Tool 12:32PM (9/08/2009)
I agree with the author's contention that polarizing vehicles can sell. But that usually applies to a halo vehicle where you want people to either love it or hate it.
To have such an ugly mainstream vehicle that I am sure Honda wants to get 75,000+ units out of is strange.
The real problem, however, is Honda's general designs lately . . . they are all ugly.
Patrick 12:56PM (9/08/2009)
Well, can I say that out in the wild, it at least looks a little more...interesting?
And that front end view looks kinda Ford-like. Like the new freshened Edge maybe.
daleam 1:32PM (9/08/2009)
GOD MY EYES!! *gouge*
Paul 1:50PM (9/08/2009)
Is is pretty? No. But with all the new pics, the ugliness seems limited to inelegant proportions and wheels that don't fit the vehicle's size (which Honda is notorious for).
Beyond that, I think people are just venting hate that has more to do with their personal lives than with Honda. This is classic "dog pile" behavior by people who want to join in and beat the dead horse.
But having said that, if people think those defending Honda work for them, then they really screwed up the launch. You can't lose that trust and expect your brand to stay healthy.
anonymous j 1:54PM (9/08/2009)
Not a fan, but I think it still looks better than the X6 at least...
the4thheat 4:52PM (9/08/2009)
Actually I don't think it's practical looking because a REAL friggin' wagon back would have been much more practical since it would have allowed far more cargo room than whatever half-a$$ed "it's not a wagon" CUV bullcrap Honda decided Americans must want.
I am seriously getting sick of this BS with auto makers being convinced that Americans won't buy wagons and then giving us this piece of dog excrement instead. I would rather be caught in a wagon 1000x over than being caught in this quasimodoish pig of a "crossover".
It was bad enough when they insisted on making decent-looking CUVs like the Edge or Venza just because "wagons won't sell", but this monstrosity has really just proven how ridiculous it's gotten.
It's real simple automakers: we don't like ugly and weirdly proportioned wagons, but a good looking wagon is about 1000x better than contrived crossovers. The Accord wagon is a hot, hot vehicle, why would you do this to us Honda?!
Aki 4:55PM (9/08/2009)
Therein lies the rub for this car. If it were ugly AND practical, then I'd agree that people would consider it.
But this is ugly and IMpractical, making it a car undesirable for anyone. Why would someone looking for practicality want a squashed rear end, when they can get a Subaru Outback with *gasp* a usable rear? Or a Toyota Venza?
They're trying to make some styling statement with the Crosstour, THAT is the biggest problem. Because that styling statement is not only epic fail, but it's at cost of the practicality that a plain'ol wagon could've offered.
Bman 9:33PM (9/08/2009)
Impractical. Ugly. Wrong. Ugly.
Practical wagons have a low, wide rear door (not tapered) with a squarish roof for packing in the cargo and being able to shut the door w/o breaking the rear glass.
The rear spoiler doesn't add anything, but confusion to the disgusting lines of the car. Probably doesn't help rearward visibility either.
One can only assume that Honda is hoping for a slice of the rental fleet market.
Philip Gray 2:51AM (9/09/2009)
practically fugly
Jim Dubois 11:35AM (9/08/2009)
It's even more FUGLY in real life
Doesn't matter if red, white or silver. This elongated egg shaped Honda is hideous!
Kill it with FIRE!!!
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James 11:59AM (9/08/2009)
Looking at a Crosstour can induce...impotence.
Jim 12:17PM (9/08/2009)
the arse looks like a bad copy of a Mercedes.
Polly Prissy Pants 12:19PM (9/08/2009)
It always amazes me when companies end up producing repulsive vehicles. How many people have to sign off on this thing before it goes out the door?
"AN also repeats the hastily-assembled Honda PR narrative that the negative reaction of "enthusiasts" is to be expected, and that market research indicates that the Crosstour will fare well with the "crossover intenders" that Honda views as the image buyers for the car."
I'm sure Pontiac said this about the Asstek too. What do you expect them to say? "Wow, what were we thinking? After looking at this more we agree that this thing looks like a big turd and have ceased production until a thorough redesign can be completed." Right.
Silly Pickle 2:57PM (9/08/2009)
Didn't Buick just kill something that people were not takin' a likin' too recently? So if they did it...why didn't Honda? I can't understand that they managed to find an entire focus group who loved it. Though truthfully, I can't find anyone I work with who doesn't like it. I work with a bunch of hose bags I guess.................................
pause for effect (and ten minutes later...)
.......................................I just stopped the prettiest girl in the office (kept her here for a bit :)), the one who wants an M3 rag top...would look so hot in a Porsche you'd stop talking to (or thinking about) your wife...the one who you'd probably give the wife the boot for (if only)...and she says it's gross. There you have it. Beautiful people and car guys don't like it. Must be ugly people who like it. There are enough of them for it to be succesful then I guess. If you see a pretty girl driving one...check her parents, or boyfriend/husband. Bet they're hard on the eyes. It wasn't her choice.