Temple of VTEC Rumors and News - New Four-cylinder 2012 Honda Crosstour EX and EX-L Combine Affordability, Fuel Efficiency and a Slee

As we reported back on January 7th, 2011, Honda has officially announced that the Crosstour is getting a 4-cylinder option. In the Crosstour, Honda's familiar 2.4L DOHC i-VTEC 4-banger cranks out 192hp and 162lb-ft of twist. Equipped with the 4-cylinder, the CrossTour delivers an estimated 21mpg city and 29mpg highway on the EPA cycles. This is a +3/+2mpg improvement over the 271hp 3.5L V6 that was originally the sole engine offered in the CrossTour. The full press release and PR photos follow. It looks like the spy shots we screen-capped out of the CR-V spy video this past summer were in fact the 4-cylinder Crosstour, so I guess you can say we scored an exclusive on that. Woot!

New Four-cylinder 2012 Honda Crosstour EX and EX-L Combine Affordability, Fuel Efficiency and a Sleek Crossover Design

The four-cylinder model delivers an EPA-estimated 29 mpg highway

12/21/2011 - TORRANCE, Calif.

Two new four-cylinder, two-wheel-drive Honda Crosstour� models are set to go on sale next month, broadening the vehicle's appeal through a lower price point and EPA-estimated fuel economy that increases 3 mpg¹ in the city and 2 mpg¹ on the highway.

Equipped with a 2.4-liter i-VTEC inline four-cylinder engine producing 192 horsepower, the newest Crosstour is available in two trim levels, including the Crosstour EX and leather-upholstered Crosstour EX-L. A Honda Satellite-linked Navigation System² is available on the Crosstour EX-L.

EPA-estimated fuel economy on the four-cylinder Crosstour is 21 mpg¹ city and 29 mpg¹ highway, a significant increase from the 271-horsepower 2WD V6 model's EPA estimated 18 mpg¹ city and 27 mpg¹ highway.

With the launch of the new four-cylinder Crosstour models, some useful features are now standard across the entire Crosstour family, which first debuted for the 2010 model year with V6 power. Standard features now include an automatic dimming rearview mirror, a rearview mirror back-up camera display for improved rear visibility (non-Navigation models), convenient auto-on/off headlights, Bluetooth�³ HandsFreeLink� and USB audio interface.

Bold Exterior and Functional Interior
Honda Crosstour approaches the crossover SUV formula from a distinctively sleek, sporty and fuel-efficient perspective, while also maximizing the interior's cargo capacity, versatility and premium feel.

The exterior design emphasizes a bold, aerodynamic look that also conceals an accommodating rear cargo area. The four-cylinder model includes body-color door handles and unique 17-inch alloy wheels with P225/65 R17 all-season tires. Two new colors are available on all 2012 Crosstour models: Twilight Blue Metallic replaces Glacier Blue Metallic, and Basque Red Pearl II replaces Tango Red Pearl.

Premium interior styling, appointments and details extend from the passenger compartment all the way through the cargo area. An under-floor storage area in the rear of the vehicle adds functionality, while reversible cargo floor panels accommodate dirty objects.

Efficient Four-cylinder Powertrain
The new four-cylinder Crosstour models come with a 2.4-liter, 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC� engine for power and efficiency. The engine produces 192 horsepower at 7,000 RPM and 162 lb-ft. of torque at 4,400 RPM, while achieving an EPA-estimated city/highway/combined fuel economy of 21/29/24 mpg¹. To maximize efficiency, a technologically advanced 5-speed automatic transmission with Grade Logic Control is standard equipment.

Comprehensive Feature List
In addition to auto-on/off headlights, Bluetooth³ HandsFreeLink�, USB audio interface and rearview mirror back-up camera display with integrated guidelines, additional standard features on the new four-cylinder Crosstour EX include projector-beam headlights, a moonroof, body-colored power side mirrors with defrost, auto-up/down driver and front passenger side windows, and rear privacy glass. Inside are air conditioning with second-row ventilation, a 360-watt AM/FM 6-disc audio system with seven speakers, steering wheel-mounted cruise, audio and phone controls, an easy fold-down 60-40 split rear seatback, a hidden removable utility box and more.

Crosstour EX-L adds leather-trimmed seating surfaces with heated front seats, a memory driver-side seat and memory-linked side mirrors with reverse gear tilt-down capability, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob, dual-zone automatic climate control, an automatic dimming rearview mirror, a premium audio system with Kevlar� cone speakers and front aluminum dome-type tweeter speakers, XM� Radio and more. Also available on the Crosstour EX-L is the Honda Satellite-linked Navigation System² which includes a rearview camera with guidelines integrated into the display.

Safety Assets
Safety technology includes the Advanced Compatibility Engineering� (ACE�) body structure, a Honda-exclusive body design that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal collisions. Additional safety equipment on the Crosstour includes Vehicle Stability Assist� (VSA�), anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist, side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor, driver's and front passenger's side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags, and active front seat head restraints.

The Crosstour is assembled in Ohio at the Honda of America Mfg., Inc., East Liberty Auto Plant using domestic and globally sourced parts.

Warranty
The 2012 Honda Crosstour is covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile new-car limited warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, and a 5-year/unlimited-mile corrosion limited warranty.

¹Based on 2012 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
²The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System� is available on the Crosstour EX-L model in the United States, except Alaska. Please see the navigation system manual for details.
³The Bluetooth� word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., is under license.