Despite questionable sales and previously poor customer reception Honda unveiled a re-thought and re-designed Crosstour today at the New York Auto Show.

As part of its strategy to sugar-coat what has otherwise seemed to be a bitter pill to most American consumers, the 2013 Crosstour has sharper  lines, improved engines across the board and a standard six-speed automatic transmission for the V6 and five-speed automatic with the four. Though not offered on the four-cylinder, V6 customers will also get paddle shifters.

Among the other changes offered in the 2013 Crosstour, improved interior material and a new eight-inch infotainment display are meant to improve the driving experience from a comfort standpoint.

Although the 2.4-liter inline four cylinder isn’t any more powerful, Honda says both engines will be more efficient and the V6 will also see a power gain, though actual horsepower ratings aren’t available yet.

This fall when it goes on sale, the 2013 Crosstour will be safer to drive too, but only if you decide to pay for the added safety options like lane departure and front collision warning.

Gas mileage will also improve to offer class-leading V6 fuel economy according to the automaker, which is good because previous Crosstours haven’t offered particularly attractive fuel specs, which probably compounded the less-than-popular reputation the car suffered.

The latest iteration brings a more crossover-styled experience which might serve to spur improved sales, though the vehicle has a difficult history: to contend.

With a less-than-impressive track record and generally poor customer reception, it’s remarkable that Honda continues to work on making the Crosstour a palatable vehicle. 

Nonetheless, the Japanese automaker is soldiering on, most recently announcing today that it will debut the 2013 Crosstour concept at the upcoming New York Auto Show.

It’s been a sad tale — that of the frankencar Honda originally branded as an Accord, but the Crosstour hasn’t just stayed in the company’s lineup. Instead it’s enjoyed continued evolution in an insistant effort by the company to make the car sell, despite dissenting consumer feedback.

The most recent of those evolutions was an added four-cylinder engine, which was meant to make the not-crossover appealing to a wider audience. Unfortunately, the smaller engine gained inconsequential gas milage and dropped dismally in its power rating.

Worse yet, the car (seen above) is ugly. That’s why it’s not surprising to see Honda announcing new styling for the car. The real question is whether or not that will be enough for customers to revisit the idea of buying one.

GALLERY: 2012 Honda Crosstour

The Honda Crosstour (pictured above) is seeing lackluster sales and disappointing American Honda president and CEO Tetsuo Iwamura.

Iwamura said in a roundtable event related to the Tokyo Auto Show with journalists that it was a bad idea to originally bill the car as the Accord Crosstour because it made the CUV less individual.

Sales are down almost 36 percent at 16,679 for the Crosstour compared to last year when it sold 25,927. Those numbers were still far from Honda’s originally expected 40,000 unit figure. We liked the 2010 Crosstour when we reviewed the 2010 model despite how ugly we found it— something Iwamura wouldn’t agree with.

He sounded surprised by the poor sales numbers, calling the Crosstour a car with “beautiful styling.” Regardless of how you feel about the Crosstour’s looks, Iwamura pledged to make the Crosstour a successful vehicle in the future so it probably wont disappear any time soon.

Gallery: 2012 Honda Crosstour

[Source: Autoblog]

Just last week we reported on Honda’s upcoming Accord-based Crossover and now thanks to VWVortex member GoVdubSPEEDGo, we have these amateur spy photos of the vehicle taken in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

There is no denying the car’s relation to the Accord, with the exterior taillights and that strong line running across the sheet metal on the side of the car.

The CrossTour, as it has unofficially been named, would slot in above the CR-V and below the Pilot, as a V6-powered 5-seater. Both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions are expected.

Designed to compete with the Toyota Camry-based Venza, the CrossTour certainly looks more car-like and appears lower to the ground – which would make sense with Honda’s more sporting character. The CrossTour is expected to be just 2.5-inches taller than the Accord, but a significant 7-inches longer than the Venza – space which will be used for a more functional trunk area.

The Honda CrossTour could be in dealerships as early as this October.

GALLERY: 2010 Honda CrossTour

[Source: VWVortex]

We’ve been waiting for Honda to come up with an Accord-based crossover since the moment Toyota pulled the wraps off its Camry-based Venza concept at the North American International Auto Show last year.

It’s no surprise that Honda would build a vehicle to go head-to-head with the Venza (pictured above) and apparently the company isn’t willing to let Toyota build up a dominating market presence, as the CrossTour (as it is reported to be called) will hit dealerships as early as October 26th. Some rumors, however, have the launch date set for early 2010. 

As expected the CrossTour will be based on the Accord platform, and will be just 2.5-inches taller that the popular sedan. It will also be 7-inches longer than the Venza, opening up the possibility that it could have a third row. Considering the Venza doesn’t however, the CrossTour will most likely stick to just to rows of seats.

The added space will allow the rear of the CrossTour to function more like a truck bed. And Honda will offer a hard plastic bed liner as an option.

Unlike the Venza the CrossTour will not be offered with a four-cylinder powerplant – just the V6. There will aso be no manual option.

Most likely the reason for the lack of a four-cylinder is due to Honda pushing up the car’s launch date. As the curb weight is certain to be a few hundred pounds over that of the Accord, the Accord’s inline-four would most likely not be up to the task. After all, the four-cylinder in the Venza is a larger and more powerful motor than in the Camry. That being said, there’s a possibility that a four-cylinder will be made available in the future. 

Both a front wheel drive an all-wheel drive model will be offered as well as options like a power liftgate.

[Source: Temple of Vtec]