Crossovers Compared To SUV's

In today’s vehicle marketplace, may segments of vehicles flood consumers with choices to match the ideal vehicles to the new owner’s tastes. Among the many segments of vehicles available, two of the most popular among consumers today are the SUV and crossover segments. And while the two segments have some similarities, consumers often get confused on the differences between the SUV and the crossover vehicles. Here, we will discuss some of the differences and similarities between the two segments.

Technically speaking, the biggest difference between an SUV and a crossover vehicle boils down to how the vehicle is constructed. An SUV is a built on the chassis of a truck and a crossover vehicle is built like a car where the body and frame are one piece. But, the marketing campaigns of some vehicle manufacturers sway from this thinking by marketing vehicles that are built on one body and SUV’s rather than calling them crossover vehicles, which makes the ability to distinguish the two vehicles apart even harder.

To better distinguish the two vehicles apart, a true crossover vehicle is a four-door hatchback vehicle that has extra ground clearance like an SUV. The name crossover generates from the fact that the crossover vehicles have components of both the car and SUV world in good gas mileage and the ride of a car along with the ability to tow, haul many passengers and often have all-wheel drive like a traditional SUV. Crossovers vehicles will usually ride higher than a car and more similar to an SUV. Crossovers come available in luxury crossover models as well, similar to the luxury SUV’s. When we compare luxury crossover vehicles to other, they sport an array of luxurious features found in top luxury manufacturers like Acura, Buick, Infiniti, Lexus and BMW to name a few. Interior and exterior amenities galore pamper drivers that compare luxury crossover vehicles to any other crossover vehicle. The luxury crossover class is one of the better growing classes of vehicles in the United States.

The large sized SUV’s like the Chevrolet Tahoe and the Toyota Sequoia distinguish themselves easy from crossovers with their capability to handles up to eight passengers and V8 engines that tow a great amount of weight behind the vehicle. But, the designation between the two classes of vehicles can get harrier when comparing a mid sized SUV to a crossover. Mid sized SUV’s like the Ford Edge, Honda Pilot and the Jeep Grand Cherokee often bear striking similarities to crossover vehicles, but the similarities are outweighed by the differences in the build of a vehicles being on a larger chassis and the SUV’s having larger motors and carrying capabilities.

Crossover vehicles definitely have found their niche with consumers that are looking to get into a vehicle larger than a car though. The bigger feel when behind the wheel while also maintaining sedan like gas mileage and driving capabilities has captivated a definite audience in the American vehicle consumer.