Nobody knew what to make of it. When the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour first hit the showroom floors, people stared at that massive, bulbous rear end and just scratched their heads. It was a weird era for car design. We were moving away from the boxy SUVs of the late 90s, but the "crossover" craze hadn't quite swallowed the entire industry yet. Honda basically took their most reliable sedan, stretched it out, gave it a lift, and created a fastback shape that looked like nothing else on the road.
It was polarizing. Some called it ugly. Honestly, the internet was pretty mean to it back then.
But if you look at the roads today, you’ll see BMW X6s and Mercedes GLE Coupes everywhere. Honda was doing the "coupe-styled SUV" thing before it was cool, they just did it with an Accord badge. If you’re looking at a used one now, you aren't just buying a funky-looking hatchback; you’re buying one of the most over-engineered vehicles Honda ever produced during a transition period for the brand.
What is a 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour anyway?
Think of it as the ultimate "halfway house" car. It shares a platform with the eighth-generation Accord, but it’s about 300 pounds heavier and sits significantly higher. You get about 6 inches of ground clearance. That’s not Jeep territory, but it’s enough to clear a nasty snowbank or a gravel driveway without wincing.
The 2010 model only came with one engine option: the 3.5-liter V6. This is the J35 series engine, which is legendary in Honda circles for being basically bulletproof if you change the oil. It pumps out 271 horsepower. That’s plenty. It feels punchy. Because it’s a V6, it has that smooth, linear power delivery that modern turbocharged four-cylinders just can’t replicate.
The interior is pure 2010 Honda. Buttons. Lots of them. It’s like a cockpit in there. Some people hate the "button waterfall" center console, but once you learn where the defrost is, you can hit it by feel without looking at a touchscreen. There's something to be said for tactile controls that don't require a software update to work.
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The Variable Cylinder Management headache
We have to talk about the elephant in the room: VCM. The 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour uses Variable Cylinder Management to save fuel. Basically, the car shuts off two or three cylinders when you’re just cruising on the highway. In theory, it’s brilliant. In practice, it caused some issues.
Owners started reporting fouled spark plugs and weird engine vibrations. The transition between three-cylinder mode and six-cylinder mode wasn't always seamless. Honda eventually extended the warranty on many of these engines because of a class-action settlement, but if you’re buying one today, that warranty is long gone.
The fix? Most enthusiasts just buy a "VCM Muzzler" or a similar aftermarket device. It’s a little harness that tricks the computer into thinking the engine hasn't reached full operating temp yet, so it stays in 6-cylinder mode all the time. Your gas mileage drops by maybe 1 or 2 mpg, but the engine runs smoother and your spark plugs don't get gunked up with oil. It’s a trade-off most owners are happy to make for long-term reliability.
Is there actually enough room inside?
The "fastback" roofline looks cool—or weird, depending on your taste—but it eats into the cargo space. If you’re trying to haul a washing machine, you’re going to have a bad time. The 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour has about 25.7 cubic feet of space with the seats up.
That sounds okay, right?
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Well, the wheel wells protrude into the cargo area quite a bit. It’s a narrow space. However, Honda did something really smart here. They put these levers in the back that let you flip the rear seats down instantly. When those seats are flat, the floor is huge. It’s perfect for a couple of mountain bikes or a week’s worth of camping gear.
There’s also a "hidden" removable utility box under the trunk floor. It’s plastic and waterproof. If you’ve got muddy hiking boots or wet beach towels, you toss them in there, then take the whole box out and hose it down later. It’s one of those "lifestyle" features that actually makes sense in the real world.
Driving dynamics: It's still an Accord
Despite the extra height, this thing handles surprisingly well. It doesn't feel like a top-heavy SUV. It uses a double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear setup. Most modern crossovers use cheaper MacPherson struts. Honda didn't cheap out here.
On the highway, it’s quiet. Really quiet. Honda used Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology in the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour. It uses the car’s speakers to emit frequencies that cancel out road noise. It works. It feels more like an Acura than a Honda when you're doing 70 mph on the interstate.
The Real Time 4WD system was an option in 2010. It’s a "slip and grip" system. It’s mostly front-wheel drive until the car senses the wheels spinning, then it sends power to the back. It’s not meant for rock crawling. Don't take it to Moab. But for getting home during a surprise April snowstorm in Ohio? It’s perfect.
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Common things to check before buying
- The Timing Belt: This is a 105,000-mile service item. If the owner can't prove it was done, you need to factor that into the price. If it snaps, the engine is toast.
- Power Steering Pump: Honda's of this era were notorious for whining power steering pumps. Usually, it’s just a $5 O-ring that needs replacing, but sometimes the whole pump is shot.
- The Rear View: Visibility out the back is... not great. The split rear window looks cool, but there’s a bar right in your line of sight. Most 2010 models didn't have back-up cameras unless they had the Navigation package. You might want to install an aftermarket one.
- Leather Wear: The side bolsters on the driver’s seat tend to crack if they weren't conditioned.
Why it's a "sleeper" value today
The 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour didn't sell incredibly well. People didn't get it. Because of that, they sometimes depreciate faster than the standard Accord or the CR-V. You can often find a well-maintained, high-mileage Crosstour for significantly less than a comparable Pilot or Highlander.
You're getting a V6, leather seats (usually), a sunroof, and a specialized chassis for a bargain price. Plus, because they weren't super popular, you don't see yourself at every stoplight. It’s a "connoisseur’s" Honda.
Practical steps for potential owners
If you are seriously considering hunting down a 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour, start by checking the VIN on Honda's recall website to ensure the airbag and VCM-related recalls were addressed. Once you buy it, your first $100 should go toward a VCM disablement kit; it’s the single best thing you can do for the longevity of that J35 engine.
Change the transmission fluid every 30,000 miles. Don't do a "flush"—just a drain and fill. Honda transmissions from this era are picky about fluid. Use the genuine Honda DW-1 stuff.
Lastly, check the tires. The 18-inch wheels on the EX-L trim use a specific tire size that can be a bit pricier than standard sedan tires. Make sure there’s plenty of tread left, or use it as a bargaining chip. This car is a tank if you treat it right, easily capable of 250,000 miles with basic maintenance.
Stop thinking of it as a weird hatchback. Start thinking of it as a lifted, V6-powered, luxury-adjacent wagon that just happens to have a Honda badge. In a world of boring, identical-looking SUVs, the Crosstour is a refreshing reminder that Honda used to take big, weird risks.