(December 22, 2011) TORRANCE, Calif. — Honda announced Wednesday that the slow-selling Accord Crosstour hatchback will get a four-cylinder engine option for the 2012 model year. The Crosstour, introduced in 2009 as a 2010 model, has been sold with only a V-6 engine.

Two new four-cylinder, two-wheel-drive Crosstour models are set to go on sale next month, broadening the vehicle's appeal through a lower price point and EPA-estimated fuel economy that increases 3 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway.

Equipped with a 2.4-liter i-VTEC inline four-cylinder engine producing 192 horsepower, the newest Crosstour is available in two trim levels, including the Crosstour EX and leather-upholstered Crosstour EX-L. A Honda Satellite-linked Navigation System is available on the Crosstour EX-L.

EPA-estimated fuel economy on the four-cylinder Crosstour is 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, a significant increase from the 271-horsepower 2WD V6 model's EPA estimated 18 and 27.

With the launch of the new four-cylinder Crosstour models, some useful features are now standard across the entire Crosstour family, which first debuted for the 2010 model year with V6 power. Standard features now include an automatic dimming rearview mirror, a rearview mirror back-up camera display for improved rear visibility (non-Navigation models), convenient auto-on/off headlights, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink and USB audio interface.

The starting price of the 4-cylinder model was not announced.