What is a Honda Crosstour classified as?
The Honda Crosstour is classified as a two-row, five-passenger crossover SUV built on the Honda Accord platform. It was produced from 2009 to 2015 and is generally described as a mid-size crossover that sits between a sedan and a traditional SUV in Honda’s lineup.
In practical terms, the Crosstour blends sedan-like dynamics with SUV practicality: a unibody chassis, higher ride height, and a rear hatch for cargo access. This combination places it in the crossover category rather than a conventional sedan or a body-on-frame SUV, a distinction that has shaped how buyers and critics understood it during its market life.
Classification at a glance
Here are the key points automotive references use to categorize the Crosstour:
- Crossover SUV: unibody construction designed for on-road use with some utility
- Two-row, five-passenger seating
- Based on the Honda Accord platform, sharing components with the Accord sedan
- Marketed as a mid-size crossover, positioned between the CR-V and Pilot in Honda’s lineup
- Available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive
Taken together, these attributes reinforce the Crosstour’s identity as a crossover SUV rather than a traditional wagon, sedan, or body-on-frame SUV.
Development, market positioning, and design
Platform and design
The Crosstour was developed to fill a gap between Honda’s two-row SUVs and its mid-size sedans. It uses a unibody chassis derived from the Accord family, paired with a hatchback-style rear door that enhances cargo access while maintaining a car-like ride and handling.
Market positioning and lifecycle
Introduced for the 2009 model year and discontinued after the 2015 model year, the Crosstour aimed to attract buyers seeking sedan-like comfort with SUV practicality. While it found a niche audience, its sales never matched Honda’s core models, contributing to its relatively short production run.
Summary
In brief, the Honda Crosstour is classified as a two-row, five-passenger crossover SUV built on the Accord platform. It embodies a cross between a sedan and a light-duty SUV, featuring unibody construction and a hatchback-style rear door, produced from 2009 through 2015.
