Honda Crosstour Concept Looks Just Like the Old Crosstour

Honda's big concept at the New York Motor Show this year is the Crosstour concept, but there is a big problem because it looks exactly like the current model. 

Honda says that it will go on sale this fall with either a four-cylinder or V6 engine, and it will have better fuel economy due to the new six-speed manual. But it seems that someone forgot to tell them that concept are meant for people to conceptualize future models. This just looks like the car that anyone could buy right now. 

 "The 2013 Crosstour Concept shows how Honda will strengthen the styling and add even more content to one of the most efficient offerings in the class," said said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda.

The new Crosstour sits slightly higher with body cladding around the edges to give it an off-road look. The concept wears 19in wheels, but the production version will come standard with 18in rollers. Honda says the interior of the new Crosstour will offer an 8in LCD touch screen, but it did not show the interior for the concept. A rearview camera and blind spot monitoring will also be available. 

The engine lineup remains the same with either a 3.5l V6 with a six-speed automatic. The setup now offers cylinder management to improve economy. The 2.4l four-cylinder engine gets a five-speed automatic.

Honda seems to have really dropped the ball with this concept. It does not offer much new to buyers. The Honda Fit offers more total cargo space with its rear seats down than the current Crosstour offers with its rear seats down- 57.3ft³ versus 51.3ft³ respectively. That is incredibly poor for a vehicle being sold for its versatility. Even the Acura TSX Sport Wagon which is 7.6in shorter offers 66.2ft³ of cargo while offering better fuel economy. Granted, Honda has not released cargo specs for the new Crosstour, and it may improve. 

The RLX Concept may be boring, but at least Honda is trying something new with it. This seems like it barely tried.