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Keeping up with the automobile world means that you have to understand a lot of jargon that most other people do not know. For example, you may have heard the term ‘crossover’ a couple of times without knowing what it meant. What is a crossover car, and what specific features does this vehicle have that set it apart from other cars?
A crossover car shares a lot of similarities with SUVs in the sense that it has an increased ride height and a higher ground clearance. However, this vehicle also has some of the same features as a hatchback. Keep reading to learn more about crossover cars, including their defining features and how they differ from SUVs and other kinds of vehicles.
Table Of Contents
What Is A Crossover Car?
A crossover car is a mix between a traditional hatchback and an SUV, and it’s also known as a crossover SUV. A crossover has the same single uni-body structure as hatchbacks but comes with most of the features of an SUV. It offers a higher driving position and great visibility but is incapable of tackling very rough terrain like an SUV.
Key Features
The key features of a crossover car include:
- It has a unibody construction, which allows for easier handling in various road conditions.
- Crossover cars are taller, and they usually have a high driving position and ground clearance to ensure good visibility.
- Despite sharing a similar design to SUVs, they are usually lighter.
There are family-sized and compact crossovers to suit the needs of various people.
What Does ‘Crossover’ Mean?
Crossover means a vehicle that combines the features of SUVs with those of saloons or hatchbacks. The crossover market is a more recent one, so this term only gained popularity a few years ago. Crossover vehicles are popular among families looking for spacious, powerful vehicles that are more affordable than traditional SUVs. They are suitable for shopping trips, school runs and holidays.
Read more on ‘What is an SUV?’
Crossover Vs SUV
An SUV is a term that is used to describe a car with a high driving position and off-roading capabilities. Although most crossovers share several similarities with sports utility vehicles (SUVs), it’s important to note that they are not the same. Here are a few things to note in order to tell the difference between an SUV and a crossover.
- Structural design: Crossovers are unibody vehicles, meaning their body and frame are built in a single piece. SUVs feature a body-on-frame design. This means the frame and body are separate, and the car manufacturer joins them during the manufacturing process.
- Size: A crossover is built on a car platform, while a traditional SUV is built on a truck chassis. As a result, crossovers are smaller and easier to manoeuvre, whereas SUVs are larger and have more boot and seating space.
Crossovers perform better when powered by diesel engines because diesel engines have greater pulling power.
- Off-road capabilities: SUVs are designed with off-road driving in mind. Most SUVs have features such as four-wheel drive and rugged suspension systems to allow them to drive over rough terrain. On the other hand, most crossovers are either front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive. However, there are also all-wheel-drive and 4×4 models, which come with some valuable benefits.
- Fuel efficiency: Due to its smaller size and lightweight, a crossover is likely to offer better fuel economy than an SUV.
Read more about the difference between AWD and 4WD vehicles, as well as 4Motion.
Crossover VS MPV
MPV stands for ‘Multi-Purpose Vehicle’. These vehicles are also known as people carriers or minivans. MPVs are one of the most practical modern-day vehicles, as they are designed to transport people and cargo efficiently. Even though crossovers may share some similarities with MPVs, such as fuel economy and versatility, they are not the same.
- Space: MPV is a better passenger car than an SUV. MPVs usually accommodate seven or more passengers. Most crossovers can’t carry more than five people. MPVs also have more boot space.
- Design: Crossovers are usually very sleek and sporty, while MPVs have more boxy designs.
- Driving experience: Due to their compact design, crossovers offer a better driving experience, and they’re easier to manoeuvre than MPVs. MPVs offer a van-like driving experience.
Click here to learn more about MPVs.
The Popularity Of Crossover Cars
Crossovers have become popular in the past few years because they offer a combination of features that most people find appealing, such as fuel economy, easy manoeuvrability and versatility. For example, crossovers account for 45.1% of sales in the U.S. light vehicle market, more than any other vehicle.
The Most Popular Crossover Models In 2023
Almost every car manufacturer now makes their own version of the crossover, so there are numerous options to choose from. Modern crossover cars vary in price based on their capabilities, size and safety features. Some of the most popular crossovers from various car manufacturers include:
- Hyundai Palisade
- Kia EV6
- Mazda CX-5
- Honda CR-V
- Chevrolet Traverse
- Nissan Qashqai
Tip: The Nissan Juke and Renault Captur are great options for anyone looking for compact crossovers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does Crossover Mean In Cars?
‘Crossover” means that a particular vehicle is a cross between an SUV and a hatchback or a saloon. A crossover car is like a compact SUV, featuring the high driving position and visibility of a true SUV on a unibody structure. Crossovers tend to be smaller than SUVs, but they offer better fuel economy.
What Is The Point Of A Crossover Car?
The point of a crossover car is that you get a vehicle that provides the perfect balance between the utility of an SUV and the drivability of a traditional hatchback. Crossovers have more cargo capacity than most hatchbacks, yet they remain fuel-efficient and easy to drive. They also tend to be more affordable than SUVs.
What Is The Difference Between A Crossover And An SUV?
The difference between a crossover and an SUV is that a crossover is a unibody frame constructed on a car chassis, while an SUV is a body-on-frame built on a truck chassis. Due to their uniframe body construction, crossovers are more compact than SUVs. Also, most crossovers come with 2WD and AWD systems rather than four-wheel drive, which is more common in SUVs.
Is A Crossover Good For Beginners?
A crossover is good for beginners because it combines the best parts of most other vehicles. Unlike SUVs, crossovers are easier to manoeuvre and park, making them great for anyone just getting used to driving. Crossovers also have good safety ratings to ensure your safety on the road, and they are comfortable to ride in.
Does Mercedes Have A Crossover?
Yes, Mercedes has a crossover. In fact, it has more than one crossover vehicle, which comes with the luxury and performance that the brand is recognised for. Some of the Mercedes-Benz crossover models include Mercedes-Benz GLA, Mercedes-Benz GLA and Mercedes-Benz EQC. These vehicles fall within different price ranges to suit the needs of various buyers.
Conclusion
To answer the question, ‘What is a crossover car?’ A crossover is a vehicle that combines the best bits of an SUV and a hatchback. Crossovers are great vehicle choices for people who want the utility of SUVs and the drivability and affordability of hatchbacks or sedans. As the crossover vehicle market continues to expand, you have numerous options to choose from across different price ranges.
