2010 Honda Accord Crosstour priced from $29,670

If you’d like a new way to carry your motorized sleigh full of goodies over the river, snow banks and slush to Grandma’s house, consider the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour, which had an official on sale date of Nov. 20 with an MSRP of $29,670. Delivery and handling will be another $710.

Obviously a cross-over vehicle, thus the purposeful use of the word “cross” in the vehicle name, it appears as a cross of the sedan and the old Accord station wagon from years ago. Of course, using imagery of the ages old wagon or beach wagon to some and the minivan to others brings up instant images of scorn and worse.

Thus, Honda adds the verbiage to include the versatility of an SUV with the refinement of a premium sedan to create a different CUV or Crossover Utility Vehicle. (This is the exact blend of change that Subaru brought out with its Outback years ago, and that helped Volvo conquest sales from those who demanded the SUV to keep up with the neighbors and did go camping and hiking but found the rough ride and image too much to take after a few years.)

The Accord Crosstour is designed to fulfill multiple roles for both style and function. A bold and sleek exterior conveys a prestigious presence from the outside, while premium interior styling extends from the passenger compartment into the cargo area. Increased functionality is provided by an under-floor storage area in the rear of the vehicle and reversible cargo floor panels ideal for dirty objects. Cargo area access is further enhanced by a tailgate with a large opening and a low lift-over height.

Power for all Crosstours comes from a 3.5-liter, 271 hp, i-VTEC V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) that generates 254 lb-ft of torque at 5,ooo rpm. The 2WD models have 18/27 mpg numbers.

The VCM cylinder deactivation system runs upon 3, 4 or 6 cylinders, depending upon power requirements. A 5-speed automatic transmission is standard.

Those wishing for better traction or not living in a snow belt and not the sun belt can select Honda’s Real Time™ 4WD drive. EPA numbers from Honda dip a bit to 17/25.

Standard EX fare includes dual-zone automatic air conditioning with 2d row vents, 360-Watt AM/FM 6-disc audio system with 7 speakers, 60-40 split rear seat back, 17-inch aluminum wheels with 225/65 R17 all-season tires, hidden removable utility box, cruise control, moonroof, auto up/down driver and front passenger side windows, rear privacy glass, steering wheel-integrated audio controls, compass and outside temperature indicator, projector beam headlights with auto-off, fog lights, chrome door handles, body-colored power side mirrors with defrost, and more.

EX-L: The upscale trim line adds leather-trimmed seating surfaces with heated front seats, leather steering wheel, leather gear shift knob, auto day/night dimming rearview mirror, 18-inch aluminum wheels with 225/60 R18 all-season tires, auto on/off headlights, memory driver-side seats, memory side mirrors with reverse tilting capability, cargo privacy cover, HomeLink™ transmitter, Kevlar® cone speakers, aluminum dome-type front tweeter speakers and a USB audio interface.

Options: Available features exclusive to the Accord Crosstour EX-L include the Honda Satellite-linked Navigation System 3 and Real Time 4WD, available together or separately. The navigation system includes a backup camera with guidance lines integrated into the display.

Safety is bolstered with Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), commonly referred to as Electronic Stability Control; anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake distribution and brake assist; side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor; driver’s and front passenger’s side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); dual-stage, multiple threshold front airbags; and active front seat head restraints.

The Accord Crosstour is assembled in Ohio at the Honda of America Mfg., Inc., East Liberty Auto Plant.

Model Transmission MSRP1 EPA

City/Hwy/Combined2

Accord Crosstour 2WD EX 5-Speed Automatic $29,670 18/27/21

Accord Crosstour 2WD EX-L 5-Speed Automatic $32,570 18/27/21

Accord Crosstour 2WD EX-L Navi 5-Speed Automatic $34,770 18/27/21

Accord Crosstour 4WD EX-L 5-Speed Automatic $34,020 17/25/20

Accord Crosstour 4WD EX-L Navi 5-Speed Automatic $36,220 17/25/20

Consumer information is available at automobiles.honda.com.

1-MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $710.00 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.

2-Based on 2010 EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel economy methods beginning with 2008 models. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle. 4WD models achieve city/hwy EPA fuel economy of 17/25 miles per gallon.

3-The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ is available on the Accord Crosstour EX-L model in the United States, except Alaska.