The Difference Between SUVs and Crossover Cars

Big cars are all the rage in the UK right now and these vehicles are very easy to spot whether you are driving in the city, on the motorway or in the countryside. Their size, ride height and style make them a good choice for a wide range of motorists, plus there are dozens of excellent models currently on the market.

One area which seems to be confusing some motorists when looking at larger vehicles is the difference between a crossover and an SUV. So, what exactly is the difference and why does it matter?

Nissan Qashqai – SUV

SUVs

SUVs have always been large automobiles that were designed to allow motorists to traverse different terrain or to tow other vehicles. In recent times, we have seen SUVs become smaller with more of a focus on style than off-road ability. To meet new motorists demands, medium SUVs were built and then small SUVs like the Nissan Qashqai, which is now one of the most popular cars on the roads and available for affordable prices from places like AA Cars.

Crossover

Crossover automobiles tend to have the styling of an SUV with increased ride height, good visibility and easy access, but they borrow a lot from much smaller and more practical hatchbacks. They tend to have small and economical engines and do not take up much height (despite having the look of a bigger car), although they are available in different sizes. This also means that they are much more affordable and cheaper to insure than SUVs.

SEAT Ateca – Crossover

Platform

The difference between an SUV and crossover also comes down to the platform. Supposedly, an SUV has the chassis of a truck whilst a crossover has a car platform. This means that SUVs have a body on frame design as opposed to a body and frame as one piece.

This can all be quite complex and one person’s definition may differ to another’s. When in doubt, the term SUV is a safe bet as this is used to describe any all-wheel-drive vehicle with raised ground clearance.

SUVs have exploded in popularity in the UK in recent times with many fantastic models available. This demand lead to the development of crossovers, which share many of the same features as an SUV but are, typically, not designed to go off-road. With this in mind, an SUV is a good choice if you need a rugged vehicle that can handle difficult terrain, whilst a crossover is better suited to those that like the style of an SUV but need something more practical.