Autoblog

Honda may build CUV based on next Fit

Dan Roth — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 11:32:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Crossover, Hatchback, Honda

While some automakers are streamlining platforms and models globally, Honda is going the other way, with more locally developed variants of models. There is a new Honda Fit on the way for the 2013-2014 timeframe, says Automotive News, and Honda is reportedly hoping the platform will sell more than one million vehicles. Honda thinks the way to hit that volume is by basing a new crossover vehicle off the next-generation Fit.

Buyers in the U.S. and Eurpean markets have a substantial appetite for truckish anti-wagons, and Honda already manages to sell 800,000 Fit and Fit-based vehicles, including the eight-seat JDM Freed, but that's probably not what Honda means when talking about a small crossover. If a Fit-ute takes off, it will help Honda get a quicker return on its investment in a new plant in Mexico that's expected to open in 2014 and is already lined up to build the Fit hatch.

A smaller CR-V could be automotive hotcakes for Honda, though the Fit's 1.5-liter engine might need to hit the gym if it's going to keep pace.

Honda may build CUV based on next Fit originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jul 2012 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All-new Honda CR-V coming this fall?

Dan Roth — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Honda, Rumormill

Honda CR-V - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2012 Honda CR-V is coming, and you can expect the successful compact crossover to continue in its current mold despite being an all-new generation. There's virtually no official information on the next iteration of the popular CUV, but since the current formula outsells even the Toyota RAV-4 and is still among the top finishers in comparison tests, we wouldn't expect any wild departures.

Fuel economy is likely to improve from the current CR-V's figure; front-wheel drive models may even hit 30 mpg on the highway, up from the current 28 mpg. C/D suggests that the current CR-V's 180 horsepower output is probably not subject to change. And while it seems odd to be talking about what's staying the same on a new model, the CR-V's massive sales numbers make it a golden goose for Honda that must be handled very carefully, not unlike the conservatively recrafted 2012 Civic that was just revealed at last week's New York Auto Show.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Honda CR-V

[Source: Car and Driver]

All-new Honda CR-V coming this fall? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour hatches a new niche

Alex Nunez — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Hatchback, Honda, New Car Reviews

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

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.

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Edmunds data suggests Honda Crosstour buyers don't know what it competes against either

Dan Roth — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Wagon, Crossover, Hatchback, Honda, Design/Style

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

The 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour hasn't won too many fans amongst the automotive press, and while we're sure it fills the Accord Wagon space in Honda's lineup, the way the Crosstour has a foot both in the wagon and CUV realms still has us scratching our heads. Taking a peek at what's being cross-shopped against Honda's latest offering proves potential customers are in the same boat.

Fitting every car into a neat categorical box is a fool's errand, but the Crosstour is apparently making everyone wonder just where it belongs. According to early Edmunds' data, buyers seem to think the Crosstour competes most closely with the Toyota Venza, with ToMoCo's wagon-on-stilts being cross-shopping against the Crosstour more than any other vehicle. Other Honda models are also heavily considered against the Crosstour, according to Edmunds Auto Observer, as are a panoply of other cars. Luxury rides like the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series wind up in the comparison column, as do more traditional crossovers like the Chevrolet Equinox and Toyota RAV-4.

While the Crosstour has been called lots of unflattering things, it's clear that figuring out whether it's neatly described as fish or fowl is more of a thorny chestnut. That said, none of this is exactly important if the car is generating showroom traffic and moving units.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour

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

[Source: Edmunds Auto Observer]

Edmunds data suggests Honda Crosstour buyers don't know what it competes against either originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: Honda Accord Crosstour straps on some factory accessories

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:41:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Wagon, Crossover, Honda, Design/Style

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

Honda's 2010 Accord Crosstour doesn't yet appear on the Japanese automaker's accessories site, but a few images of aftermarket bits have been shared with an Element owner's forum (viewable below), and we now have some live shots straight from the show floor at SEMA.

On top are a rack and window deflectors and down below is a set of skirting that completely encircles the car. The effect, especially from the side, imbues the car with the kind of chunky brawn we used to associate with Subaru, before Subaru decided to dip its design pen into the inkwell of elegance. From the stock shots, the mods might even help, but our man Lavrinc on the show floor who took these live shots seems to indicate otherwise. In any case, as our first drive reviewer asked, is it enough? Thanks for the tip, Jubby!

Gallery: Honda Crosstour Accessories

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Honda Accord Crosstour with Honda accessories

[Source: H&A Accessories via Element Owners Club]

SEMA 2009: Honda Accord Crosstour straps on some factory accessories originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

Chris Paukert — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Hatchback, Honda, First Drives, Design/Style

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

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.

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Honda updates Crosstour Facebook page with official response

Jonny Lieberman — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Hatchback, Honda

Honda Crosstour - click image above for high-res gallery

Whoo boy! We would not want to be on the business end of the Honda whip this week. In case your head has been in the sand, Honda put up a Facebook page showing off their new Crosstour. General reaction was, to put it Orwellian terms, ungood. What's the problem with social media marketing if you're a corporation? You give up control of your message. As it turns out, sometimes you even give up internal control, too. Which is exactly what happened when Honda's light truck product planning manager Eddie Okubo posted a defense (or is that a defenestration?) of the much maligned new CUV without divulging the company he works for. Well, he got caught.

In a novel/strange/unprecedented move, Honda has gone and posted a clarification on its Crosstour page - about everything. Here's the short version, all bullet pointy like:

The images that everyone thinks are the second coming of the Aztek are actually akin to bad yearbook photos. Put another way, the Crosstour is better looking that it looks.New photos will set you all straight.
This isn't the European Accord wagon (as cool as Honda knows the Euro wagon to be) because it's an Americanized version of an American Accord wagon. i.e. bigger.
This next part bears copying and pasting, "Many of you don't like the styling: It may not be for everyone." Though, Honda thinks among CUV buyers, the Crosstour will do well.
Honda can't give out any more specs - sorry
Finally, Eddie's comment wasn't removed because Honda was embarrassed by it. His comment was removed because he violated a policy concerning personal opinions on Facebook.

And there you have it -- the odd state of PR in the Facebook/Twitter age. Our thoughts? Defending a vehicle's design on Facebook isn't smart chess. Meaning that unless the comments are turned all the way off, you're just inviting buckets full of further negative comments. Don't say you know how "cool" a car that you don't sell here is and then not sell it here. If it's so cool, why can't we buy one? It's probably best to provide more than two photographs, especially two that you admit are ungood. Assuming a Crosstour Facebook page could be a good idea, people need more to chew on. Finally, poor Eddie. Full response from Honda after the jump. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

Gallery: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Honda updates Crosstour Facebook page with official response

Honda updates Crosstour Facebook page with official response originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda Accord Crosstour officially confirmed for Fall 2009 as 2010 model

Chris Paukert — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Crossover, Hatchback, Honda

Honda Accord Crosstour spy shots - Click above for image gallery

In what is doubtlessly the briefest press release we'll read today, Honda has finally officially confirmed what we've known for some time now - the Japanese automaker will gain a new genre-crossing model called Accord Crosstour, with sales earmarked to begin this fall as a 2010 model.

Presumably, by calling it an "Accord Crosstour," Honda will also be able to neatly fold in the rakish new crossover/wagon/hatchback model's sales figures into that of the Accord upon which it is based - all the better to take on Toyota's Camry at the top of the sales charts. Check out Honda's official press release after the jump.

[Source: Honda | Images: M. Balisky]

Continue reading Honda Accord Crosstour officially confirmed for Fall 2009 as 2010 model

Honda Accord Crosstour officially confirmed for Fall 2009 as 2010 model originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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