Honda Accord Crosstour

Derived from the Accord sedan, the Crosstour is a four-door hatchback with a raised ride height. It combines the appearance and versatility of a wagon and a hatchback, providing a SUV alternative. Seating is comfortable front and rear and the hatchback enhances cargo-loading versatility. But many design details hurt practicality. Rear visibility is difficult; look for a Crosstour with a rear backup camera. (Previously only available with the optional navigation system, it became standard in 2012.) The shape of the cargo area and the sloping rear roofline means larger items won't fit. Early Crosstours had just one engine, a strong 3.5-liter V6 that returns 20 mpg with the optional all-wheel-drive. Later Accords added a four-cylinder engine for front-wheel-drive models. Steering is responsive, but feedback is a bit vague. Emergency handling is more SUV than car, with lots of body lean and little grip. Fortunately, the standard stability control intervenes as needed. The ride is steady and taut, damping out road bumps with muted kicks, and road noise is lower than in most Hondas. Controls are spread out but well-labeled.

Generation summary from Consumer Reports. Year-specific figures appear below; missing values mean unavailable, not zero.