TUCSON, Ariz. — A traffic signal on Speedway Boulevard, the east-west thoroughfare slicing a bee-line path across sprawling Tucson in the Arizona desert, switches to green and we tap the go-pedal on a 2012 Honda Crosstour five-door hatchback and lurch ahead.

This large-scale vehicle packs an enthused V6 powertrain and mixes the plush comforts and easy-driving performance of Honda’s refined Accord sedan with the cargo space and flexibility of a crossover utility vehicle like Honda Pilot.

The front-wheel-drive platform of Accord supports the slick aerodynamic structure of the shapely Crosstour hatchback, which houses four flank doors like a sedan and flexible seating for five riders in a plush cabin plus vast cargo space (more than 50 cubic feet) in the aft bay with access through a tail-side liftgate.

Crosstour’s body measures 2.7 inches longer, two inches wider and 7.6 inches taller than Accord, yet it shares Accord’s 110-inch wheelbase length.

The passenger compartment contains comfy seats (two front buckets and a three-place rear bench) as the back bay with rear seatbacks down has 51.3 cubic feet of stow space.

Standing two inches higher off the pavement than the Accord for better clearance of bumpy-road obstacles, the FWD Crosstour lists an automatic four-wheel-drive (4WD) system as an option on the top trim.

Honda trims Crosstour in two versions — EX and EX-L (that L tag denotes leather upholstery).

For 2012 issues, Crosstour EX acquires new features like automatic on/off headlights, a rearview camera, Bluetooth hands-free phone link and USB audio interface.

Crosstour EX stocks a long list of gear including dual-zone automatic air conditioning, a one-touch power moonroof, power controls for windows and door locks, cruise control, driver’s seat with 10-way power adjustments and a folding rear seatback split 60-40.

The EX also has a 360-watt AM/FM/CD6x audio system with seven speakers and audio controls mounted on the steering wheel, a removable utility box concealed below deck in the cargo bay, front foglamps, chrome door handles and body-colored power side mirrors with internal defroster, and 17-inch aluminum wheels with 225/65R17 all-season tires.

Crosstour EX-L brings luxury trappings like the leather upholstery with heated front seats, leather wrapping the steering wheel and shifter knob, memory functions for the driver’s seats and side mirrors, automatic day/night dimming rearview mirror, auto on/off headlights, a privacy cover for the cargo area, audio kit upgrades such as Kevlar cone speakers and aluminum dome-type front tweeters and USB interface, HomeLink transmitter and 18-inch aluminum wheels with 225/60R18 all-season tires.

Optional equipment exclusively for Crosstour EX-L includes the 4WD system and a satellite-linked navigation system which also brings a backup camera with guidance lines integrated into the display.

Only one V6 powertrain applies to Crosstour.

The single-overhead-cam (SOHC) plant with an aluminum block displaces 3.5 liters and uses Honda’s i-VTEC (variable value timing and lift electronic control) valvetrain to precisely manage engine breathing and combustion in order to maximize horsepower and disperse torque across a broad band.

It delivers strong numbers — 271 hp at 6200 rpm plus 254 lb-ft of torque at 5000 rpm.

Further, this engine employs Honda’s variable cylinder management (VCM) device to conserve on fuel by modifying the number of engine cylinders at work. The VCM can switch from six to four or even down to three cylinders, depending on the power demand at any particular moment, by closing the intake and exhaust valves of a particular cylinder while also shutting off fuel injectors on that cylinder.

And the operation is totally automatic and virtually transparent to the Crosstour driver, with a dashboard light glowing when the VCM is working.

Federal EPA fuel consumption numbers on the 2012 Crosstour look good — up to 27 miles per gallon for highway travel with FWD traction or 25 mpg for the 4WD version.

Sole shifter teamed with the V6 is Honda’s electronic automatic with five forward speeds, lateral G-force gear hold control and RPM rev-matching for downshifting.

Honda’s optional automatic 4WD system is designed to improve tire grip. Note, though, that the absence of protective undercarriage plates and a lockable differential with low-gear range signify that Crosstour’s four-wheeling intent is directed at improving traction on rain-slick pavement or in winter weather rather than off-road forays.

The suspension system employs a double wishbone design up front with modifications to enhance ride and handling traits by reducing fore-aft body movement when accelerating and braking and checking lateral sway when rounding corners. At the rear, a multi-link suspension has stamped steel upper arms with tubular steel lower links and nitrogen gas-filled dampers. It also uses a subframe which supports most of the rear suspension and the rear axle drive unit.

Brakes involve power-assisted ventilated discs up front and solid discs in back. Also, there are electronic ties to Honda’s vehicle stability assist (VSA) equipment operating in conjunction with an anti-lock brake system (ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and electronic brake assist (EBA) plus a traction control system (TCS).

Honda sets MSRP figures for the 2012 Crosstour at $29,990 for the 2WD EX. Crosstour 2WD EL-L goes for $32,890 and Crosstour 4WD EL-L tallies to $34,340.

2012 HONDA CROSSTOUR HATCHBACK SPECIFICATIONS

• Description: Large-Car 5-door hatch
• Model options: EX, EX-L
• Wheelbase: 110.2 inches
• Overall length: 196.8 inches
• Engine size: SOHC 3.5-L V6/VCM/i-VTEC
• Transmissions/speeds: Auto/5
• Rear/front drive: 2WD/Front, 4WD
• Steering: Power rack and pinion
• Braking: Power 4-disc, ABS/EBD/EBA/VSA/TCS
• Air bags: 2 (front), 2 (side), 4 (side curtain)
• EPA mileage est. city/hwy.:
  • 2WD: 18/27 mpg
  • 4WD: 17/25 mpg
• MSRP:
  • $ 29,990: Contour EX 2WD
  • $ 32,890: Contour EL-L 2WD
  • $ 34,340: Contour EL-L 4WD