My neighbor took a walk-around of the Crosstour this morning. He works for a large Japanese automaker and likes to inspect whatever long- or short-term car ends up in the driveway. As he walked around the back to check out the rear cargo volume, reserving judgment on the car's design, I looked for the tailgate release around the driver's seat. Except, it wasn't there.
Looked around the dash. Nope. Scanned the center stack, steering column. Inside the center console; nope, just a USB cable and AUX input in there. I did find the traction control button next to an empty cubbie where you might stash a garage door opener or pack of smokes.
Really? A big old button and a spot for your American Spirits, but no hatch release?
So I Read The Fine Manual, but it only offered helpful instructions on how to get out and lift it yourself, pal. A minor quibble, I admit. But come on. There's no available power option, either. I await a fiery response from the IL reader who knows the secret location of the hatch release. If it does exist, my meager cognitive skills were strained to failure trying to find it.
I hadn't driven the Crosstour recently, but I recognized the ease of its steering effort instantly. And going through some of the old posts, it's one of the features the editors almost unanimously praise. It points nicely into crowded left-hand turn lanes, eases into U-turns and threads crowded parking lots. At speed, it offers good resistance.
It's still got the brake shakes - not an encouraging sign at still under 20,000 miles. Whatever the Crosstour's future in Honda's portfolio, I'm guessing it will remain popular on the used market. Its polarizing design will matter less as the cost to entry drops. If I was shopping a used car for a college-bound kid, I'd seriously consider it. Likewise if I just wanted a car for active weekend pursuits. Sure the sloping roof cuts down cargo room, as do the rear shock towers, barging their way into the rear hold. So what? It's still a good Accord, but now it's an Accord you can pile a bunch of stuff into.
And hey, what's this? Our twin!
Dan Frio, Automotive Editor
mustang5507 says:
03:38 PM, 02/ 3/11
not fiery, but the last Honda I was somewhat familiar with had a trunk release on the floor next to the driver's seat. Dunno if they still do that...
robert4380 says:
03:52 PM, 02/ 3/11
I believe that if the car is unlocked, then the trunk should be unlocked already. Most new cars with rear lift gates have them lock and unlock right along with the door locks. Try it. There might be a little button or switch under the lift gate's exterior handle.
bkapps says:
06:04 PM, 02/ 3/11
Honda product works like this, since the Odyssey is their "top tier" model, it gets the first option for the power tailgate on all the EX-L Models and above, then the Pilot gets it on the Touring Model. After that, though whatever model you get, wether that be Crosstour/ Insight/ CR-Z there is not a trunk release button, but there should be a button on your keyfob. Outside of that when the doors are unlocked the trunk release pull at the back of the car (electronic release) will get it to open.
bkapps says:
06:05 PM, 02/ 3/11
Honda product works like this, since the Odyssey is their "top tier" model, it gets the first option for the power tailgate on all the EX-L Models and above, then the Pilot gets it on the Touring Model. After that, though whatever model you get, wether that be Crosstour/ Insight/ CR-Z there is not a trunk release button, but there should be a button on your keyfob. Outside of that when the doors are unlocked the trunk release pull at the back of the car (electronic release) will get it to open.
hacefrio says:
06:28 PM, 02/ 3/11
@all - no lever, switch or button anywhere on the floor or near the driver. It does lock/unlock with the doors as far as I know.
Bkapps - no button on the keyfob, either. And we got the EX-L trim. Just curious that my wife's '05 Civic EX features a trunk release, but not an Accord family model.
Obviously not a huge deal. If you need something out of the hatch, you're probably at the back of the car anyway. Even if you're dropping someone off and they need to fetch something from the back, obviously not a major effort to lift the gate yourself. Just a curious omission of a feature that I think many of us have grown accustomed to - not unlike the fading fuel filler door release.
bc1960 says:
11:43 PM, 02/ 3/11
Name a hatchback that does have an inside release--Golf, Mazda2, Mazda3, Fiesta, Focus, SX4, Forte, Accent, Rio5, Lancer, Fit, tC, etc. Maybe there are some, but I can't even think of any historic examples--Corolla, Corona, Stanza, Accord, Mustang--even where the coupe or sedan version had an inside trunk release. I don't think minivans or SUVs did either, before the powered option appeared. Unlike trunk lids, hatches generally don't pop open and lift on their springs or struts, thus the usefulness of releasing the latch without being in proximity is limited, and unnecessary when one is in proximity.
hoosiergrandad says:
04:04 AM, 02/ 4/11
I missed not having the release,since my previous Accord sedan had a button on the key fob. Upon further reflection, I decided that ....oh well,I had to have a free hand to push a button anyway. Let us know if you develop a plan of attack tor the brake problem.
1487 says:
05:34 AM, 02/ 4/11
the lack of the release button isnt a huge deal, the mazda3 is like that too. The real problem is no power liftgate option on something that costs $38k. Ridiculous in this day and age.
milt721 says:
07:25 AM, 02/ 4/11
I'd pay extra NOT to have power doors or hatches.
allthingshonda says:
08:08 AM, 02/ 4/11
I don't know of any hatches that have an inside release except for power liftgates. The Crosstour probably doesn't have a power liftgate because Honda usually does not add features just for the sake of having a gadget. Like it or not they are really a company usually ran by engineers. (We see what happens when the designers are given more freedom, not good). Knowing Honda they probably see the power assist as needed only for taller vehicles to assist shorter drivers. The Crosstour's liftgate can be reached by anyone when raised so they probably didn't see the need to add it. If they get enough complaints or requests from customers they will eventually add it to the top model. Speaking of requests, Honda how about some Direct Injection and Turbos?
1487 says:
09:57 AM, 02/ 4/11
you cant be serious. Any company that offers a power liftgate doesn't place value on engineering? Really? Power liftgates are actually supposed to help folks with loaded arms who need to open the hatch and put something in the back. I wasn't aware that offering something like that was a gadget for the sake of a gadget.
ptcdawg says:
10:54 AM, 02/ 4/11
Count me out on power liftgates, doors etc. too much trouble in the long run. IF you can't open/close a door, you shouldn't be driving.
1487 says:
12:04 PM, 02/ 4/11
what is the track record of failure of power liftgates. Does that include the power liftgates on reliable vehicles like Lexi and toyotas? How is a power liftgate likely to be any less reliable than any other powered feature of a car?
goelectric says:
01:00 PM, 08/ 3/11
Shopping for new car. Considering 2011 Honda CR-V, however, I am not finding whether it has a power lift for the trunk? Not finding it on the specs. This really surprises me as our '94 Honda Civic has one! Grant it, it doesn't open the trunk to a complete open position, but nevertheless, opens the trunk. I cannot believe Honda did not put this on the current CR-V! Maybe they included it in the 2012?