At first glance Crosstour well prepared for the road – 205 mm ground clearance, nothing sticks out from the bottom. But the sump completely defenseless.

The car was originally designed for North America, where it is sold in the fall of 2009. Eloquent dimensions: Length – 4999 mm, width – 1900 mm, wheelbase – 2797 mm. In the U.S., “Japanese” said Honda Accord Crosstour, because, in fact, is a modification of the transatlantic Accord. We have also introduced such a name would be to mislead – European Accord has with his American namesake little in common. For Russia, the suspension Krosstura tightened due to other springs and shock absorbers with internal rebound damping. In general, the Japanese have done for us, a decent job, “the Russian» Crosstour got electric folding mirrors, rear sofa and interior with higher quality materials, finishes. Primarily in the American specification no.

The bright, Honda is also good. It is assumed that in Russia Crosstour will choose most of the men (they will contribute to 70% of sales) in the age 36-38 years.

But the power unit on both sides of the ocean one – a tandem engine V6 3.5 and five-step “automatic.” “Six» J35Z2, familiar to us by the model Pilot, is equipped with a proprietary mechanism for adjusting the height of valve lift i-VTEC 275 hp and develops and 339 N • m Feature of the motor – the system VCM (Variable Cylinder Management), capable of shutting down two or three cylinders, depending on the load. By the way, in the U.S. Crosstour can be front wheel drive, but we have – only 4 × 4. Transmission – like the Honda CR-V: electrohydraulic clutch with improved cooling system to drive the rear wheels spin, connect them at the front.

The instrument panel design with no frills, but it is easy to read. By the way, the car is not yet available bortkompyutera – consider the average fuel consumption is necessary most. Promise to introduce later to Russia.
Navigation system thinks fast, but the display resolution is woefully low, and on the cards Navteq notebook is designed only in Central Russia and Ukraine. Not everything went smoothly and with a rear camera – yellow lines on the screen remain fixed when you turn the steering wheel.

From theory – to practice. Nice heavy door, closes with a thud expensive. Inside – a pleasant smell and is not a bad plastic. Get a wide leather chair without problems. Seal under the upholstery optimal hardness, adjust settings enable you back almost vertically, and pillow – as low as possible. Yes, it is a bit short, but the outstretched legs not too tired. Comfortable steering wheel, clear instruments and hidden from the sun a large central display good. It is impossible for the climate control unit: its keys are spaced along the edges console and readings are displayed on a narrow strip of a secondary display. On the way to control the microclimate spend more attention than we would like.

Planting for a car of this class is unusual: sitting in sports is low, but in the hands – a vertically mounted drive. Wide seat, large armrest, sea space above the head and in the foot – front racers complain of overcrowding.
On the back of the couch also a lot of free space (for two), there is a two-stage heated seats (activation button near the ashtray) and air on the central tunnel. Although the same Pilot, for example, the inhabitants of the second row has its own climate control unit.

According to the manufacturer, 275-horsepower engine should bring a car weighing 1906 kg to around 100 km / h after 8.9 seconds after the start. But, the feelings, it takes about ten seconds. In the first moments of a five-step “automatic” even in Sport mode for too long thinking, and the engine pulls the rubber to the 3000-3500 r / min. But after switching to “cardinality” cam cam engine comes to life and a juicy metallic crescendo fun gaining 6800 r / min, giving a steel pin convincing acceleration. Thaws and transmission: the transmission rate change quickly and smoothly. You can switch the level manually, but only in the S «automatic” transmission keeps on reaching maximum speed.

Slowdown, unlike overclocking, definitely. The brake pedal in Krosstura certainly more than, for example, the Civic or Accord. But the habit of effort dosed accurately.

Let Honda’s engine plant, but the driver should not be got. Crosstour rides expensive, and power, not supporting sporting spirit. The main thing – to get on his wave. On the international radio station “Voice of America» – Crosstour taught to go on overseas books. Pyatidverka sighs gently on the waves of asphalt, not hesitating diagonal swing in turns. But this does not scare rolls. On the rudder responds with the lazy, but the nature enables precise draw some information about the road. An arc machine is tenacious, not straying from the path the irregularities. Feels like a cross between their pilots and our Accord.

In shallow turns, analyzing information on the status of the steering wheel and accelerator, the transmission control unit is able to lock up the “machine” in the current program, in order not to leave the driver without traction.

Against this background, attention is drawn to the playful setting the rear suspension: a gas discharge in a fast bend Honda gently but categorically goes into a skid. The stabilization system does not wait for the correction steering wheel and the car catches a moment later a loud crunching sound of brakes. Electronic assistant is completely off, but the result of such an operation – a meaningless titillation of nerves that has no relationship to what the British call driving pleasure.

Need for additional noise insulation is especially noticeable in inclement weather – the water roars in the arches.

Hondovtsy were right, that did not try to make the five-meter calf weighing nearly two tons driver’s car. When working on Krossturom they have focused on comfort. Even with adapted suspension shocks and jolts from the pits, potholes and all kinds of thermal seams blanked high profile tires and energy efficient shock absorbers. The wind “squats on ears” passengers only after 140 km / h But the picture is not perfect: Honda is responding to the large cracks with sharp edges. Noise isolation rear could be better – more useless here to hear the motor vehicle and the rustling of nearby strangers tires.

Length of 457-liter trunk in a Five version – 1415 mm. A comfortable seat easily folded arms (forming a flat floor), this figure can be increased to 1918 mm (volume increases to 757 liters). Sorry, too much arch issued to the salon.
The volume of the underground boxing – 54 l. Under it – the tools you need to change a wheel. A 17-inch dokatka hanging from the bottom.
Rear view camera lens wipe will often – in vnutrisalonnoe mirror almost nothing is visible.

So what Krossturu shines in Russia? Legends of fate or laurels Pilot? We see a third option – to sell new product will be better than both of them. Legend has ruined price indistinct image of close business-class car and the lack of choice modifications. Talented had a car. But Crosstour – even though Honda – not even trying to claim a place in the elite class E, and serves niche segment. Spacious interior, roomy trunk and clearance of 205 mm – where are you, Audi A7 Sportback Allroad? But even with V6 priced from 1,799,000 rubles.

For standard equipment Elegance (six airbags, stability, fabric seat trim) Dealers asked to 1,799,000 rubles. Option Executive (leather, xenon, rear view camera with display in the salon mirror) will cost 1.92 million rubles, and we’ve tested Executive NAVI (a media center with navigation and a seven-inch screen) will cost another 130,000 more.

Sane despite the price tag, the plans of the Russian office of Honda cautious: in 2011 plan to sell 1000 Krossturov. We somehow do not doubt that the new product will overcome this bar and take over. Judge: favorite Russians Honda Pilot SUV is estimated at 1,758,000 – 1,952,000 rubles, and for the past two years in Russia ran 5118 machines. And with all due respect to the Pilot, Crosstour – a machine of another level. Higher quality, comfortable and interesting. If all goes according to the best scenario for Honda, Acura Russia will in the next three to four years. Do not forget about it, gentlemen!

Underlying Krosstura – U.S. Accord platform: double wishbone suspension front and rear chetyrehrychazhka. Curiously, the size of the wheelbase sedan wins – 2799 mm to 2797 mm at the crossover. Vary both vehicles and parts steering: gear ratio is at Krosstura 15,2:1 (steering wheel does lock to lock 2.76 turns), while chetyrehdverki sharper drive – 2.56 turns (13,08:1 ). For Russia, strengthened undercarriage components, the machine is equipped with other springs and dampers and a thicker (1 mm) stabilizer bars.

Body model Honda Crosstour stiffer than the sedan Accord. Force structure of 46% is made up of high strength steels. Japanese reviewed and crumple zones. As a result, both the sedan Accord, Crosstour was rated “excellent” by security of the American Insurance Institute IIHS.

The engine in the range of one – cylinder capacity 3471 cm ³. The unit belongs to the family of J, which traces its history back to 1996. “Jay-engines” originally designed for cars Acura, and then began to put on a Honda for the North American market. Under the hood Krosstura – modification J35Z2 with cast aluminum cylinder block, fuel injection system and four valves per cylinder. Similarly, the “heart” in 2008 and got a Pilot, but Krossture “six” is more powerful, but less of the torque: 275 hp and 339 N • m instead of 249 power and 347 N • m Tractive unit, great sound and also has a system off two or three cylinders under light loads. The latter, by the way, is included in the work each time the driver takes his foot off the accelerator or enjoy a monotonous drive on the highway. The gas pedal of this should be recorded. Barely pushing through – and Eco indicator light on the instrument panel goes out.

Real Time 4WD transmission borrowed from the crossover Honda CR-V. When Chuck slips electrohydraulic clutch connects the rear axle. The mechanism works without the “preload” – Steering wheel manage to crank out before the aid come back. It takes a while when you start on the asphalt and prevent off-road. The machine is easy to dig in the snow. But Honda Crosstour does not claim the laurels of the SUV – this is typical of urban crossover. But, unlike the model CR-V, due to improved cooling sleeve it’s not too hot during prolonged slipping.

Crosstour show near Moscow, along with other Honda’s new clothes, of which we describe. That evening at dinner the chef rolled out for a test drive another Honda, on a silver tray – made of cream and soaked in syrup test. The car was sold for parts in seconds.