2015 Honda Crosstour

First released in 2010, the Honda Crosstour strives to offer comfort and convenience for midsize families without the full-size nature, and price tag, that accompanies most modern crossovers and SUVs. This amalgamation of wagon-esque space and sedan-like foundations manages to tick a few boxes, but a decrease in demand hints at this not being the ideal recipe. While 2015 Crosstour cars have a history of excellent dependability and an available V6 powerplant, mediocre gas mileage and unimpressive cargo room certainly don't do it any favors. Is it worth your hard-earned dollars or should you pass it over for a three-row competitor instead?

The Crosstour isn't an unappealing vehicle, but there's not much that really tickles our fancy about the way it looks. The front end boasts a bold grille that is typically Honda, while the parting view is a divisive attempt at merging a wagon with sportback styling. Entry-level autos have 17-inch alloys, stepping up to 18s on the EX V6. There is a one-touch moonroof for all iterations, however, and there are heated, body-colored power mirrors with an expanded mirror on the driver's side. Speaking of which, other than the basic White Diamond Pearl and Crystal Black, it can be had in a handful of other colors including Alabaster Silver, Kona Coffee, or Basque Red.

There is a pair of engine choices to consider for 2015, with a 2.4-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder stock-fitted to all variants making 192 horsepower. But, each of the basic grades can be fitted with a 3.5-liter iVTEC V6 instead, which also switches out the factory-fitted five-speed automatic transmission for a six-speed slushbox with Sport mode and paddle shifters, and adds a much-appreciated 86 hp. Torque is augmented to 252 lb-ft with the latter, and there's a substantial improvement in acceleration as a result, allowing for a 0-60 mph dash of around 6.7 seconds - there's no fuss in accelerating up to speed on the open road or when initiating passing maneuvers. It's not a performance sedan by any means, but it's more than enough to get you where you're going at an acceptable pace. We'd recommend choosing the bigger motor as there is a bit of heft to lug about, and the six-cylinder is certainly more effective at doing this.

The range has front-wheel drive as default, but AWD can be had on the EX-L V6, which the manufacturer calls 'Real Time 4-Wheel Drive'. The system is designed to detect slippage and respond by channeling power to the rear corners to give better grip during bad weather; so, while it's termed 4WD, there's no off-road benefit from it.

Sharing traits with its Accord sibling, the Crosstour succeeds at providing a smooth, pleasant and remarkably quiet ride - steering is accurate, and despite a higher center of gravity and some extra weight, it handles well around the bends, although it's not particularly athletic. The automatic-exclusive Sport mode tries to create some excitement, at least.

The most frugal Crosstours are those with the four-pot and FWD, which the EPA rates at 22/30/25 mpg city/highway/combined. Opting for the stronger mill sees these figures drop slightly to 20/29/23 on the same cycles, while gas mileage for the four-wheel driven cars works out to 19/27//22. These aren't particularly impressive, and fall short of the Accord's estimates. Admittedly, if you're after economy as a priority, you'd fare better with a hybrid instead.

Based on the same platform as the Accord sedan, the Crosstour's interior is roomy enough to house four occupants with one more at a push - more than two in the back may be tight.

There's ample head- and legroom up front, though, and with ten-way power adjustment for the pilot - which includes power lumbar support - most will feel at home inside. The mid-level trims upgrade the cloth upholstery to leather, while including dual-zone climate control, and electric settings for the passenger up ahead. If you're wanting a little more room and the option to ferry around larger groups of people, you'll likely do better with an SUV with a 3rd-row. Cars like the Crosstour do well for the daily school run, although there's not quite as much cargo capacity as expected. But, with the perches folded down, there is 51.3 cubic feet for bags, groceries and the dog - this might be more than a regular sedan or hatch, but it's not as good as what you'd find in a crossover or true wagon. Still, there's an under-floor compartment to mitigate this somewhat, and loading is easy with a wide aperture and low liftover height.

At entry level, the Crosstour is slightly stingy on features; there is no infotainment screen, although a six-disc in-dash sound setup with seven speakers and an AM/FM radio, USB, and MP3 compatibility via an auxiliary jack are included on the EX. There is also a backup camera display on the rearview mirror, steering-wheel mounted controls, a power sunroof, Bluetooth Hands-Free, and power accessories for those behind the wheel. From the EX-L trim upwards, you have climate control settings displayed on an eight-inch high-resolution monitor, front seats with heating, and a premium audio unit with SiriusXM. Satnav is equipped to the EX-L with Navigation, as the name suggests, while the EX V6 throws push-button start and keyless entry into the mix.

Neither of the authorities performed comprehensive reviews of the Honda Crosstour, with only a few key areas subject to crash tests. The NHTSA rated the Crosstour at four out of 5 stars in rollover trials, and notes that three recalls have been issued for both 2015 and the previous year's models for a variety of issues including airbag malfunctions. The IIHS awarded top results of Good for the four evaluations of the car.

Standard specs include six airbags across the lineup, stability assist with traction control, and a rear camera. Forward collision warning, lane departure and a multi-angle rearview camera are included as of the EX-L trim, as well as Honda's LaneWatch.

With the bleak thought of impending discontinuation on the horizon, the 2015 Honda Crosstour's original MSRP of around $27.5k may seem exorbitant to some, especially considering the bottom-rung trim is rather bare-bones. Fully-loaded trims, including the much more potent V6 powertrain, up the tally too, and the top-end Crosstour is priced in the region of $37k. However, if buying a new Honda Crosstour is out of your budget, you could easily pick up a used derivative for much cheaper. While there's nothing particularly offensive about the car, there's not much that makes it stand out, either; it's easy-to-live-with demeanor should be fine for you as a daily commuter, and it won't disappoint in terms of general comfort. Dwindling sales numbers are, however, a clear indication of the design's fading appeal, so we'd advise you to go for a pre-loved version, if you really have your heart set on one.