
Higher ground clearance with powerful engines also aids in handling steep angles and uneven terrain. The 4×4 drivetrain makes SUVs capable of handling rough trenches, mud, snow, or sand.
/2016_Lexus_RX_350_001_A40F15C6BDD92D9D0F31348BFC2F0388A6F89FF3-565b86f33df78c6ddf5b78a1.jpg)
Rugged build quality: SUVs are big and bulky machines designed to handle extreme road and weather conditions.Depending on the size and type of SUV, you can fit up to eight people inside or get more than 100 cubic feet of cargo space. Whether it’s cabin space or cargo space, SUVs are bigger in both areas.

Tons of space: The biggest advantage of owning an SUV is the extreme amount of space you get.Here is a list of advantages and disadvantages of SUVs. When put against cars, hatchbacks, or crossovers, SUVs have a lot of benefits, but they do have drawbacks as well. include the Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CRV, Ford Escape, Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4, and Lexus RX350. A crossover can handle urban, suburban, and off-road driving conditions, tow heavier weights, and even drive reasonably well on a racetrack.Ī crossover typically has an AWD drivetrain, but it’s not uncommon to find models with rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, or 4WD. Some of the most popular crossovers in the U.S. For many, crossovers are the best of both worlds. They are wider and more spacious than passenger cars while being smaller, lighter, faster, and more fuel-efficient than SUVs.

Simply put, when you merge a scaled-down SUV body with a car chassis, you get a crossover. Today, a crossover is defined as a passenger utility vehicle made on a unibody or car platform. Soon after, unibody construction became the dominant approach for all types of vehicles, including sedans and hatchbacks. While crossovers first began to appear in the 1960s, the first modern crossover is generally considered to be the 1980 AMC Eagle. Compared to an SUV, crossovers are smaller, lighter, and less off-road capable vehicles designed for more urban needs. This type of construction is lightweight and offers optimal cabin and cargo space, even in compact styling. Unlike the SUV, a crossover is built on a “unibody” or unitary architecture, which means the body and the frame are one single structure rather than two different units like body-on-frame. What is a Crossover?Ī crossover, crossover SUV, or compact utility vehicle is the same thing. Trust Auto Tip: Check out our article AWD Vs. While some modern SUVs feature all-wheel drive (AWD), a typical SUV is defined by a four-wheel drive (4WD) drivetrain, something built to handle extreme off-roading. It also enables vehicles to have higher ground clearance. This is why SUVs true to their genes, like the Chevy Suburban, Chevy Tahoe, Jeep Wrangler, Cadillac Escalade, and Ford Bronco, are still very sought-after vehicles.Īnother feature that distinguishes between SUVs and crossovers is the drivetrain. Plus, a body-on-frame structure allows for a more rigid build with better towing and hauling capacity. This type of construction was very prevalent in the 20th century but now is mainly used for trucks and heavy-duty machines. But what defines the difference is the body structure.Īn SUV is made on a “body-on-frame” architecture, a type of construction where everything from the engine to the body is put on a metal frame (chassis). An SUV is as fast and agile as a car, can carry and tow weights similar to a pickup truck, and can handle different terrains like an ATV (all-terrain vehicle).Ĭompared to a crossover, an SUV is usually a lot bigger, bulkier, more powerful, and can handle rough terrains while being more spacious and comfortable. What is an SUV?Īn SUV, which stands for a sport utility vehicle, is an automobile made to handle different types of work in different environments. Crossover: What’s the difference?” We will list some of the contrasts. So much so that it’s not weird for manufacturers to advertise one vehicle as both an SUV and crossover at the same time.īut SUVs and crossovers are inherently different. However, the continuous development of both platforms has blurred the line between them. SUVs and Crossovers are two types of multi-purpose vehicles that are primarily very different. Image by By Kennedy Paul via Drive Spark SUV Vs.
