Written byHonda is dusting off a label that had always been polarizing but, for better or worse, never short on ambition. The 2026 Honda Crosstour is back, and it’s looking to rattle the mid-size SUV segment once more with a bold redesign, fresh tech, and hybrid power.
A Long-Awaited Comeback
Honda introduced the first Crosstour in 2010 before removing it from the market after the model year 2015. The original was a strange car that straddled the border between sedan and SUV. It gained a cult following but never went mainstream. Over a decade later, Honda is willing to take another crack at it—but this time, in a dramatically different market.
The 2026 Crosstour could be a mid-size crossover SUV, blending a coupe-like design with SUV utility and hybrid tech. Sharing its debut date with the model, the vehicle is set to hit showrooms in the first quarter of 2026, just above CR-V and just below Passport in Honda’s expanding lineup of SUVs.
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Design Overhaul – Sleek, Sporty, and Sophisticated
The old Crosstour’s biggest problem was its controversial styling. Honda is rewriting that story for 2026 by incorporating more of a coupe-like character while not giving up in the practicality department.
Exterior Design Highlights:
- Athletic body creases, a bold wide front end
- Sloping rear roof to evoke luxury SUV shapeliness as in the BMW X6
- Modern signature lighting with LED headlights and taillights
- 18-inch wheels are standard; 20s on upper trims
- Bold black exterior accents and roof rails give a sport-inspired, outdoorsy appeal
Honda also improved rear visibility and access to the tailgate, two big gripes among owners of the previous-generation Crosstour.
Interior: A Premium Cabin Experience
The 2026 Honda Crosstour’s cabin will likely mirror the design language of the brand’s most recent offerings—minimalist, horizontal lines, simple tech, and more premium materials.
Interior Features (Expected):
- 12.3-inch digital driver display Infotainment touchscreen
- Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come in the wireless variant.
- Optional heads-up display and wireless charging pad
- Upper trims get premium leather upholstery
- Sport Touring trim 12-speaker Bose sound system
- Cargo capacity with rear seats folded—up to 70.8 cubic feet
The new Crosstour will boast competitive rear legroom oriented towards families and road trips, a blessing the longer wheelbase and clever packaging create.
Performance and Engine Options
On the performance front, the 2026 Crosstour will balance between fuel economy and driving fun. Honda will likely source familiar powertrains from its portfolio.
Expected Engine Options:
- 2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4
- Power: 252 horsepower
- Transmission 10-speed auto
- Available with front-wheel or all-wheel drive
2.0L Hybrid Powertrain (from CR-V Hybrid)
- Combined Power: 204 hp
- Transmission: e-CVT
- Hybrid grades come standard with all-wheel drive
Honda will also offer drive modes (Normal, Eco, Snow, Sport) to tailor performance and traction to driving conditions.
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Fuel Economy: A Major Selling Point
The new Crosstour should excel in efficiency, particularly with hybrids. Honda has been perfecting its hybrid setups for some time, so expect to see advances here as well.
Estimated MPG:
- Gas-powered Crosstour: 26 City / 32 Highway
- Hybrid Crosstour: 40 mpg city/38 mpg highway
These figures would give Crosstour a leg up on most gas-only competitors and set it apart from hybrid rivals such as the Toyota Venza and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid.
Trims and Pricing – What to Expect
Final pricing won’t be made official until nearer launch, though industry insiders agree that Honda will have a four-trim offering like other SUVs with the marque’s badge.
| Trim Level | Estimated Price | Key Features |
| EX | $32,000 | 18″ wheels, Honda Sensing, cloth seats |
| EX-L | $36,000 | Leather-trimmed seats, power liftgate |
| Sport Touring | $40,000 | 20″ wheels, sport styling, premium audio |
| Hybrid Touring | $42,000+ | Hybrid powertrain, panoramic roof, HUD |
Look for AWD to be offered across the lineup and standard on Sport and Hybrid Touring.
Safety First: Honda Sensing 360 Suite
The 2026 Crosstour will emphasize safety. Honda Sensing® 360 suite is also likely to bring with it a few upgrades on their vehicle, which include:
- Collision Mitigation Braking System® (CMBS®)
- Adaptive cruise control with low-speed tracking
- Lane-Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
- Blind Spot Information System (BSI)
- Traffic sign recognition and rear cross-traffic alert
Honda’s continued emphasis on safety will resonate with families and commuters.
How It Compares: Crosstour vs. the Competition
At a price point in an already crowded mid-size SUV segment, the new Crosstour strikes a unique offering with its coupe-like design, stout hybrid credentials, and Honda reliability.
Key Competitors:
- Toyota Venza: Stylish hybrid, but no turbocharged option
- Subaru Outback: Rugged utility, standard AWD, less refined interior
- Hyundai Santa Fe: Bold new design, hybrid and PHEV models
- Nissan Murano: Smooth ride, aging platform, no hybrid variants
So, the Crosstour comes back into Honda’s line to appeal to buyers who want a sleek, space-efficient alternative to more staid, boxy SUVs.
Expert Analysis: Is Honda Making the Right Move?
The Crosstour is one of several hatchback-style SUVs, and reviving the nameplate may be a long shot, considering that the original wasn’t a high-volume seller. However, the market is much more flexible toward odd SUV shapes these days (Toyota Crown, Hyundai IONIQ 5, Ford Mustang Mach-E).
Honda, for example, is playing it safe, according to industry analyst Rajiv Pradhan. The crossover-coupe segment is gaining momentum with younger buyers and city families. It’s time for an ideal Flashback tech-based return of the Crosstour.
The hybrid success of the Accord and CR-V shows customers are willing to trust Honda’s electrified tech. In the proper context, the 2026 Crosstour could fill a void between need and want between utilitarian SUVs and vehicles prioritizing design.
Customer Anticipation and Market Buzz
Rumors of the Crosstour’s return have been swirling around automotive forums and social media for some time now. For returning owners, the nameplate’s revitalization is exhilarating, and for first-time buyers, its combination of sophistication, spaciousness, and contemporary tech captures attention.
At least one major auto blog poll found that 67 percent of respondents would prefer the new Crosstour to its competitors if the nuggets were priced and got the right miles per gallon.
The new launch will also appeal to urban professionals, small families, and hybrid-first buyers looking for SUV utility without the full-on SUV size.
A Stylish Comeback with Real Substance
The 2026 Honda Crosstour is a nod to almost a decade ago, but it also represents a bold specialty crossover option that many automotive fans still wish for these days. It combines traditional stylish design with functionality, performance, and efficiency. The Crosstour grafts upon its turbocharged and hybrid engine variants, premium interior, and a host of safety features that should help it succeed where the others failed.
Either way, this all-new version should put the reborn SUV on many lists for those looking for a stylish new crossover, whether they came from a Crosstour or were shopping elsewhere. Look for its full debut in late 2025, and in 2026, you can be the new Crosstour’s passenger.
