Venza vs. Crosstour: Which Is The Better Grocery Getter?

You don't choose cars like these, you succumb to them. They creep up on you like thin hair and thick ankles. One minute you're rolling a 3 Series coupe, the next minute your wife needs room to haul her gardening stuff and the kids want rear doors and a DVD player.

It's about that time when wagon-style things like the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour and 2009 Toyota Venza start to look attractive. OK, plausible maybe.
 

With extra cargo room and a more comforting view of the road, these tall wagons are sort of like SUVs, only without the guilt of a gas-sucking V8 under the hood. You won't find any big, heavy truck parts underneath their skins either.

Granted, neither the Honda nor the Toyota is going to do much for your image. In fact, you can pretty much kiss good-bye whatever sliver of cool you still had left. There are no wheels tall enough nor tires wide enough to make either of these vehicles look tough. These are wagons, and it's what's inside that counts. Don't worry, though. Your friends may wince, but your family will love you.


2010 Detroit Auto Show Photo Gallery

2010 San Diego Auto Show Photo Gallery

2011 Toyota Sienna Photo Gallery

2009 LA Auto Show Photo Gallery

montyz81 - 1/19/2010 9:37:49 AM

0 Boost

Why isn't the Murano in this comparison. It started this category!

0to60 - 1/19/2010 11:14:44 AM

-1 Boost

Maybe because it is actually desirable... somewhat

91z4me - 1/19/2010 8:58:16 PM

+1 Boost

Or the Ford Edge.

LuxuryFan - 1/19/2010 9:46:53 AM

+5 Boost

The Venza seems less grotesque than the Crosstour, but I really couldn't care less about either vehicle.

Whelan - 1/19/2010 10:18:21 AM

+3 Boost

I love how the first half of this article offers no comparison whatsoever, just the writers lame opinion in comparing this to a 3 series coupe. It's called what happens when you have a family, so if you have issues with that, then you are on another planet. Personally I am 28 and think the Venza is a nice looking car for what it is. Granted I would not own one, but it would be on the list if I was looking for a family hauler and did not want a mini-van or SUV.

0to60 - 1/19/2010 11:15:54 AM

-1 Boost

I found the opening to be humerous and fitting.

Whelan - 1/19/2010 10:19:33 AM

+1 Boost

On second thought, is there even an article here? I don't see a link to click, so I take it back when I say this was a waste of typing, let me know when an actualy comparison or link to one shows up. FAIL.

g2ok - 1/19/2010 10:20:21 AM

0 Boost

Venza wins by a mile. Nice station wagon Camry.

Mason3Robert - 1/19/2010 10:54:53 AM

0 Boost

Ummm, I dont get it...have you seen the Crisstour???? LOL Looks like a Ugg...not too mention, the toyota can come with:
larger more attractive wheels
stiffer suspension
134 speaker 605 watt JBL (Honda has 7 speakers)
HID
4 cyl option
120 V power outlet


Also, this is a family vehicle..there is no need to compare to a sports sedan....

Noot too mention, less buttons. We all know Honda likes to make you belive your in a damn space shuttle...lol

Mason3Robert - 1/19/2010 10:56:41 AM

0 Boost

13 Speakers...my mistake lol

StickShiftCamry - 1/19/2010 11:15:11 AM

-2 Boost

It's like the author is forcing ppl to hate these wagons. A white Venza with proper deep-ultra lip 22's, HIDs and the lower sport suspension they offer in some markets look proper.

PlanB - 1/19/2010 12:56:21 PM

-2 Boost

I agree, a Venza done right isn't too bad on the eyes at all.

Mason3Robert - 1/19/2010 1:26:34 PM

+2 Boost

And BTW, this has to be the worse article I've ever read.....What do I gain from this post outside of Insideline realizing 2 new crossovers exist...?

Joe_Limon - 1/19/2010 1:38:20 PM

-1 Boost

Whoever thinks there is a difference between these vehicles and station wagons is seriously deluding themselves.

Mason3Robert - 1/19/2010 2:52:48 PM

+1 Boost

Apparently, 009, Insideline, myself and a slew of others think these are different....FYI

Joe_Limon - 1/19/2010 11:35:48 PM

+1 Boost

Are you one of those people who also thinks the subaru forester is an suv?

lexworld - 1/19/2010 3:25:27 PM

+1 Boost

...for the record: Ya'll do realize that Joe_Limon aint too bright? So do pardon his senselessness...."Man..talkin bout another planet this guy is on"!.....As far as he is concerned Toyota went bankrupt last year and their having those Toyota going out of buisness Tent Liquidation sales!!!!!!!!!!!!

Willis - 1/19/2010 3:49:07 PM

+1 Boost

I actually find the Honda to be very nice looking. Which of these two cars is better is irrelevant to me though.

Mason3Robert - 1/19/2010 4:55:18 PM

0 Boost

Well the Honda wont sell like the Toyota will and at the end of the day thats really all that matters.

Type707 - 1/19/2010 5:40:32 PM

+3 Boost

Land Rovers...so u can go offroad right after shopping

r_driver04 - 1/20/2010 2:21:39 PM

0 Boost

Venza hands down if I had to choose. The Honda is sooooooo ugly. There's no way it'll sell. It'll be the fastest depreciating Honda ever.

r_driver04 - 1/20/2010 2:28:50 PM

0 Boost

Venza hands down if I had to choose. The Honda is sooooooo ugly. There's no way it'll sell. It'll be the fastest depreciating Honda ever.

91z4me - 1/21/2010 10:20:48 AM

0 Boost

Huu, wouldn't the 1980 AMC Eagle be considered the 1st crossover with its AWD and car based unibody construction?