Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[IIHS performs rollover test on 12 mid-sized SUVs]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/02/iihs-runs-rollover-tests-on-mid-sized-suvs/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/02/iihs-runs-rollover-tests-on-mid-sized-suvs/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/02/iihs-runs-rollover-tests-on-mid-sized-suvs/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

IIHS rollover tests for midsized SUVs - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has completed a round of rollover testing on 12 mid-sized SUVs (though most are technically CUVs, but whatevs), and the results show that some carmakers are exceeding federal rollover standards. Six of the haulers scored a Good rating, led by the 2010 Jeep Liberty, one scored Acceptable, and the remaining five were Marginal. The Good rating means a tested car has a roof that is twice as strong as the current government safety standard.

Five of the top six - the Chevrolet Equinox, 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Highlander and Venza, and Kia Sorento - also scored Good marks for front-, side- and rear-occupant protection, and so earn the coveted classification of being an IIHS Top Safety Pick. If your CUV isn't listed, fear not, as the IIHS is testing them in groups.

Follow the jump for the full release, and you can have a look at the entire batch of tested vehicles in the high-res gallery below.


Gallery: IIHS Rollover tests for CUVs


[Source: IIHS]

Continue reading IIHS performs rollover test on 12 mid-sized SUVs

IIHS performs rollover test on 12 mid-sized SUVs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 chevrolet equinox2010 ford edge2010 honda accord crosstour2010 honda pilot2010 jeep liberty2010 mazda CX-72010 mitsubish endeavor2010 nissan murano2010 toyota higlander2010 toyota venza2010ChevroletEquinox2010FordEdge2010HondaAccordCrosstour2010HondaPilot2010JeepLiberty2010MazdaCx-72010MitsubishEndeavor2010NissanMurano2010ToyotaHiglander2010ToyotaVenza2011 jeep grand cherokee2011 kia sorento2011JeepGrandCherokee2011KiaSorentochevrolet equinoxChevroletEquinoxhonda accord crosstourhonda pilotHondaAccordCrosstourHondaPilotiihsInsurance Institute for Highway SafetyInsuranceInstituteForHighwaySafetykia sorentoKiaSorentoMazda CX-7MazdaCx-7mitsubishi endeavorMitsubishiEndeavornissan muranoNissanMuranorolloverrollover testRolloverTesttoyota highlandertoyota venzaToyotaHighlanderToyotaVenzaWed, 02 Jun 2010 10:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19499352/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/06/02/iihs-runs-rollover-tests-on-mid-sized-suvs/19499352/article-detail.xml 19499352 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/iihsrollovercuv_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/iihsrollovercuv.jpg <![CDATA[Review: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour hatches a new niche]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/07/review-2010-honda-accord-crosstour-hatches-a-new-niche/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/07/review-2010-honda-accord-crosstour-hatches-a-new-niche/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/07/review-2010-honda-accord-crosstour-hatches-a-new-niche/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2010 Honda Crosstour - Click above for high-res image gallery

Its introduction was a case study in how to bungle an automotive social media campaign. Badly. It had people running for thesauruses to find new and fascinating synonyms for "ugly." Its TV campaign has something to do with jazz music and animals. And yet, for all the hubbub, hysterics and lamentations that Honda had completely lost its mind, the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour quietly showed up and began finding customers.

Last month - its best sales performance to date - 2,587 people drove the odd-looking hatchwagon home. Recently, we took delivery of our own Crosstour EX-L tester, loaded-up with all-wheel drive and navigation, to see how we felt about spending a week with Honda's latest experiment.


Gallery: Review: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour


Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Review: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour hatches a new niche

Review: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour hatches a new niche originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20102010 honda accord crosstour2010 Honda Accord Crosstour review2010 honda crosstour2010 Honda Crosstour review2010HondaAccordCrosstour2010HondaAccordCrosstourReview2010HondaCrosstour2010HondaCrosstourReviewaccordaccord crosstourAccordCrosstourcrossovercrosstourfeaturedhondahonda accord crosstourhonda crossoverhonda crosstourHondaAccordCrosstourHondaCrossoverHondaCrosstourreviewWed, 07 Apr 2010 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19428119/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/04/07/review-2010-honda-accord-crosstour-hatches-a-new-niche/19428119/article-detail.xml 19428119 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/lead1hondacrosstourreview2010_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/lead1hondacrosstourreview2010.jpg <![CDATA[VIDEO: The answer to how Honda will market the Accord Crosstour? Animated jazz]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/video-the-answer-to-how-honda-will-market-the-crosstour-animat/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/video-the-answer-to-how-honda-will-market-the-crosstour-animat/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/video-the-answer-to-how-honda-will-market-the-crosstour-animat/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Click above to watch the video after the jump

We're not so sure about the Honda Accord Crosstour. It's definitely a Honda, so at least from a marketer's perspective, that''s a big plus, but the big crossover/hatchback//wagon/thing isn't exactly what we'd call pretty, and worse, it isn't even as functional as its competitors. We're not alone in our criticism of Honda's latest, as the Japanese automaker has heard more than its fair share of Crosstour complaints on the Internets. Like it or loathe it, though, the Crosstour is upon us, and Honda dealers need to sell it. We were curious as to how Honda might try to ply such an odd duck, and we have at least a preliminary answer waiting for you after the jump.

The commercial starts off with about 15 seconds of oddly animated polygon characters playing some smooth, Cosby Show-style jazz. Between 15 and 20 seconds we see the band's instruments fitting in the Crosstour's hatch (though oddly, they don't play up the car's chief storage trick, its hidden storage box). At the 20 second mark, we finally see the Crosstour in the flesh, and the spot wraps up with a few words from actor Kevin Spacey as always. We're far from convinced, but you'll want to hit the jump to judge the 30 second spot for yourself.


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour


Photos copyright (C)2009 Chris Paukert / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Honda]

Continue reading VIDEO: The answer to how Honda will market the Accord Crosstour? Animated jazz

VIDEO: The answer to how Honda will market the Accord Crosstour? Animated jazz originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 Honda Accord Crosstour2010 Honda Crosstour2010HondaAccordCrosstour2010HondaCrosstouraccord crosstourAccordCrosstouradvertisementcosby showCosbyShowcrosstourcrosstour adCrosstourAdhatchhonda commercialhonda crosstourHondaCommercialHondaCrosstourjazzKevin SpaceyKevinSpaceyFri, 20 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19247276/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/11/20/video-the-answer-to-how-honda-will-market-the-crosstour-animat/19247276/article-detail.xml 19247276 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/crosstour-commercial-630x_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/crosstour-commercial-630x.jpg <![CDATA[First Drive: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour goes down the road nicely... but is that enough?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/03/2010-honda-accord-crosstour-first-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/03/2010-honda-accord-crosstour-first-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/03/2010-honda-accord-crosstour-first-drive/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour - Click above for high-res image gallery

We hadn't been parked but a minute or two when it happened. After about a half an hour wringing out our test subject on what few curvy stretches of road suburban Detroit had to offer, we opportunistically pulled into a roadside fruit stand to snap a few photos before our ride got any dirtier. It was at exactly this point that a Lincoln MKZ rolled up, a window whirred down, and two gray-tufted heads popped out. "What is it?" inquired the couple in boisterous unison. Silence. "It's the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour," we eventually blurt out, my co-driver sounding suspiciously apologetic. "It's... it's gorgeous!" The late-sixty-something man isn't being facetious - in fact, he's gushing - taking his hands off the Lincoln's wheel and gesturing as if to reinforce his sincerity.

If we're lyin,' we're dyin.'

"It's absolutely beautiful."

More silence.

"Really? Would you like to take a closer look?" No sooner had we extended the offer than said window was rolled up and the MKZ hurriedly shepherded into a parking spot. Moments later, our curious seniors were all over Honda's latest like first-in-liners at an early bird all-you-can-eat buffet. They took in its daring fastback profile, sized up its cargo hold, fiddled with its power seat controllers and gooshed its soft-touch plastics. Not only were they clearly impressed, they loved the way it looked.


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour


Photos copyright (C)2009 Chris Paukert / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour goes down the road nicely... but is that enough?

First Drive: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour goes down the road nicely... but is that enough? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 Crosstour2010 Honda2010 Honda Accord Crosstour2010Crosstour2010Honda2010HondaAccordCrosstouraccordaccord crosstourAccordCrosstourCrossOverCUVFeaturedfirst driveFirstDrivehondaHonda AccordHonda Accord Crosstourhonda crossoverHonda CrosstourHonda CUVHondaAccordHondaAccordCrosstourHondaCrossoverHondaCrosstourHondaCuvreviewedTue, 03 Nov 2009 11:56:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19217779/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/11/03/2010-honda-accord-crosstour-first-drive/19217779/article-detail.xml 19217779 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/17_hondacrosstourfd_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/17_hondacrosstourfd_opt.jpg <![CDATA[2010 Honda Accord Crosstour to start at $29,670]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/03/2010-honda-accord-crosstour-to-start-at-29-670/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/03/2010-honda-accord-crosstour-to-start-at-29-670/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/03/2010-honda-accord-crosstour-to-start-at-29-670/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour - Click above for high-res image gallery

UPDATE: Video of Accord Crosstour running footage added after the jump.

It's fair to say that the 2010 Accord Crosstour has caused Honda some heartburn in the U.S. already, but Japanese brand's new CUV has taken another step toward the showroom regardless. Honda has already given us some wheel time with the Crosstour, so keep your eyes peeled for our review at noon Eastern today. If that's not enough to keep you occupied, pricing for the 2010 Crosstour has just been released, and the new model starts just slightly under $30,000, running up to about $37,000. Honda has also released tons of new Accord Crosstour glamor shots (check 'em out in the gallery below).

EPA efficiency numbers are also included with the pricing, helping buyers understand what the care and feeding of an Accord Crosstour will do to their wallets. An EX-L loaded up with all-wheel drive ("4WD" in Hondaspeak), all the luxury goodies, and navigation earns an EPA estimated 20 mpg combined. Honda's 3.5-liter V6 with Variable Cylinder Management earns 25 mpg on the highway and 17 mpg city. Front-drive ("2WD) Crosstours muster 18/27, which are competitive figures for its class. Speaking of classes, don't forget to check out our First Drive at noon to see if the Crosstour is the Valedictorian or in need of remedial instruction.


Gallery: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour


[Source: Honda]

Continue reading 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour to start at $29,670

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour to start at $29,670 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 honda accord crosstour2010HondaAccordCrosstouraccordaccord crosstouraccord crosstour pricingAccordCrosstourAccordCrosstourPricingcrosstourcrosstour pricingcrosstour videoCrosstourPricingCrosstourVideohondahonda accordhonda accord crosstourhonda crosstour videoHondaAccordHondaAccordCrosstourHondaCrosstourVideopricingvideoTue, 03 Nov 2009 09:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19218353/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/11/03/2010-honda-accord-crosstour-to-start-at-29-670/19218353/article-detail.xml 19218353 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/2010-accord-crosstour-011-ex-lk_optab_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/2010-accord-crosstour-011-ex-lk_optab.jpg <![CDATA[Honda Accord Crosstour to be built at East Liberty, Ohio plant]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/11/honda-accord-crosstour-to-be-built-at-east-liberty-oh-plant/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/11/honda-accord-crosstour-to-be-built-at-east-liberty-oh-plant/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/11/honda-accord-crosstour-to-be-built-at-east-liberty-oh-plant/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour - Click above for image gallery

This week, Honda marked the thirtieth anniversary of the start of motorcycle production in the United States with a tree planting ceremony and a new production announcement. Legions of Facebook "fans" of the new Honda Accord Crosstour will surely be thrilled to learn that the company's new lifted hatchback thingy will be built at the East Liberty, OH assembly plant. East Liberty already builds Accord sedans and coupes, making it a natural to build the new bodystyle. As with other American-built Hondas, most of the major components are also locally sourced. Honda's nearby Anna, OH engine plant will ship over the V6 engines while the Russells Point facility will build the transmissions.

The Marysville plant that got motorcycle production started three decades ago is now being transformed into a consolidation center to feed parts and systems to the other nearby assembly plants. Honda has decided that it makes more sense for them to focus on building cars in America than bikes. Whether it makes sense to build this particular car anywhere, however, will be determined not on Facebook, but on dealer forecourts.


Gallery: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour


[Source: Facebook]

Continue reading Honda Accord Crosstour to be built at East Liberty, Ohio plant

Honda Accord Crosstour to be built at East Liberty, Ohio plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20102010 crosstour2010 honda2010 honda accord2010 honda accord crosstour2010Crosstour2010Honda2010HondaAccord2010HondaAccordCrosstoureast libertyeast liberty ohioEastLibertyEastLibertyOhiohondahonda accordhonda accord crosstourhonda crosstourHondaAccordHondaAccordCrosstourHondaCrosstourohioFri, 11 Sep 2009 10:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19157805/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/09/11/honda-accord-crosstour-to-be-built-at-east-liberty-oh-plant/19157805/article-detail.xml 19157805 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/crosstourred_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/crosstourred.jpg <![CDATA[Reader Spy: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour caught out again]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/08/reader-spy-honda-accord-crosstour-in-the-metal-you-know-how-th/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/08/reader-spy-honda-accord-crosstour-in-the-metal-you-know-how-th/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/08/reader-spy-honda-accord-crosstour-in-the-metal-you-know-how-th/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


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.


Gallery: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour Spy Photos


Photos Copyright (C)2009 Jackson De Oliviera/DriveTo Escape.com. Used with permission.
[Source: CNET.com | Images: Drive To Escape]

Reader Spy: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour caught out again originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 honda accord crosstour2010HondaAccordCrosstouraccordcrosstourhondaspy photosSpyPhotosTue, 08 Sep 2009 11:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19153435/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/09/08/reader-spy-honda-accord-crosstour-in-the-metal-you-know-how-th/19153435/article-detail.xml 19153435 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/deolivieracrosstour_lead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/deolivieracrosstour_lead.jpg <![CDATA[Officially Official: This is your 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/01/officially-official-this-is-your-2010-honda-accord-crosstour/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/01/officially-official-this-is-your-2010-honda-accord-crosstour/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/01/officially-official-this-is-your-2010-honda-accord-crosstour/#commentsFiled under: , ,


2010 Honda Accord Crosstour -- Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda has released two highly brushed up photos of the Accord Crosstour, and we can finally see its snout in full view. As the test car spy shots have migrated from altered Accord wagon to final Crosstour, the car has gotten ever funkier. This picture, though, is the funkiest of all.

We have a feeling it is down to the excess effects, but the Crosstour looks a tad bit ungainly. It's almost as if the front and rear of the car are in a different scale - the grille and front wheel look exceedingly large compared to the tail. Since we've already seen the car in the flesh, except for its nose, we're pretty sure it'll be another mellow piece of Honda kit when it's revealed in 35 days. Until then, feel free to check out the official shots we have in the high-res gallery below. Hat tip to Sean!


Gallery: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour


[Source: Honda]

Officially Official: This is your 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Honda Accord Crosstour -- Click above for image gallery

The Honda Accord Crosstour has been essentially seen in several spy shots, but its front end remains something of a mystery. Honda has dispelled a bit of that with the release of two frontal pics, and it looks like the front could match the back for curves versus its Accord sedan stablemate.

The grille takes an Accord shape, albeit with a different application pattern for the chrome trim. Although having a slightly different layout, the headlights look to have the sleekness of the Accord Coupe's lamps matched to a more stylized version of the Accord sedan's fog lamps. If you want more of the piecemeal reveal routine, you could always join Honda's Facebook page... or you could just wait for the full reveal, happening in a couple of days.

The Accord Crosstour goes on sale later this year as a 2010 model.


Gallery: Honda Crosstour teaser crops

crosstourcropsheadlight_crop_824grill_crop_820

[Source: Honda]

Honda teases new Crosstour on Facebook originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 accord crosstour2010 crosstour2010 honda accord2010 honda accord crosstour2010AccordCrosstour2010Crosstour2010HondaAccord2010HondaAccordCrosstouraccordaccord crosstourAccordCrosstourcrosstourcuvfacebookhatchbackhondahonda accord crosstourHondaAccordCrosstourwagonWed, 26 Aug 2009 15:20:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19140322/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/08/26/honda-teases-new-crosstour-on-facebook/19140322/article-detail.xml 19140322 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/crosstourcrops_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/crosstourcrops_opt.jpg -1 2