Every family wants an SUV today. Or at least a car that looks like an SUV. For most people, crossovers and SUVs are the same things. However, there are some basic differences between the two types. Let’s see what they are.
SUV
SUVs have existed since the 1930s, and the acronym stands for Sports Utility Vehicle. One of the earliest ones was the Chevy Suburban. But it was the 1969 Chevy Blazer that sparked the SUV craze we still see today. Traditional SUVs are built using a rigid frame or chassis as the foundation. The suspension, wheels, engine, and drivetrain are attached to this frame. The body is then mounted on it. That’s why this type of construction is called body-on-frame. It’s mostly used in commercial applications on a smaller scale with pickups and SUVs. This rigid platform boosts towing and hauling capabilities. SUVs also have higher ground clearance, rear-wheel drive, or four-wheel drive.
Crossovers
Crossovers often get referred to as SUVs. While they look the same and offer similar passenger and cargo-carrying capabilities, they are different. The fundamental difference is their construction. Unlike SUVs, crossovers use a unibody architecture. Cars also use this type of construction. It’s cost-efficient and offers more opportunities for built-in safety systems like crumple zones. Since these vehicles look like SUVs, can carry up to seven passengers but are built like cars and handle and drive like cars, they’re called crossovers. Crossovers also have smaller engines and are fuel-efficient as compared to SUVs.
Mixing terms
When people use the term SUV for a crossover, they’re referring to a body style. They may not know or even care about the differences between the two as long as the vehicle performs the functions they need. You’ll even find the term used interchangeably in magazines and websites that publish content about them. Look online for a list of the best compact SUVs or the best compact crossovers, and you’re likely to find the same cars on both lists.
But thanks to this evolution in automotive construction, you now have SUVs/crossovers for every size and budget available. They differ in terms of functionality. Most SUVs come with RWD or 4WD, whereas most crossovers have FWD or AWD.
