Journalists Dislike Honda Crosstour but Public May Disagree

Filed in archive Chrysler , Honda , Toyota on September 23, 2009

Not since the launch of the Pontiac Aztec have I seen a car so thoroughly trashed by the automotive press, even before the official introduction. Of course, we'll have to wait until it's on the street to provide an unbiased opinion but judging by the official photos, the new Honda Crosstour is notably unattractive. A far cry from the Hondas of old, all of which had a certain elegance to their design. Indeed, it is difficult to tell exactly what the Crosstour is supposed to be. A hatchback? Well, yes, since it has a hatch. A sedan? Certainly appears so. A station wagon? With the tall tail end and rear door it could qualify. I'm guessing it's intended to be all three, a family tourer with extra carrying capacity. As such there may be a market yet I can't help but wonder. The Chrysler Pacifica had the identical layout but flopped. Toyota's new Venza is very similar but it's too big and, like the Crosstour, lacks visual appeal. But you never can tell with the great buying public which, in this cautionary era, places function before form. Incidentally, the car will be built at Honda's East Liberty, OH assembly plant, which already builds Accord sedans and coupes.