Crossovers look like SUVs, but are far cheaper and rose to popularity mainly because they were stylish and comfortable to drive around the city than their larger, heavier-duty competitors. But what is the most compelling reason to buy a crossover?
Keep reading to find out!
Style
Because of the way crossovers are thought of, manufacturers usually sell them as an upgrade from a sedan or a station wagon. Some even sell them as a more city-friendly downscale from a full-size or luxury SUV. In either case, you get a very stylish vehicle with a whole lot of advantages that include sport utility features in Compact SUVs and All-Wheel Drive (AWD) options.
Efficiency
Some automakers are using the crossover market to experiment on how far they can take this segment without compromising its efficiency. Giving up some features makes crossovers lighter, which helps with better fuel economy than minivans and full-size SUVs. While they are significantly less capable of doing heavy-duty hauling or off-roading, SUVs tread the middle ground gently. They offer some car-like comfort and SUV functionality while the unibody frame also allows manufacturers to design roomier cabin spaces. While some of them aren’t the most fuel-efficient, some hybrid options can achieve EPA ratings of 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg highway. Even opting for the four-wheel-drive system reduces it by just one mpg.
Pricing
Manufacturing costs for most crossovers’ are lower than those of SUVs because unibodies are less expensive to manufacture than body-on-frame automobiles. Since early crossovers aimed to fit in between segments, manufacturers realized that the trick was to keep the base price low and offer a catalog of features that users could add as per their taste and budgets. Even today, an attractive base pricing strategy keeps most base models in the $20,000 to $21,000 band.
Options
Today, finding an AWD option is easier than before as are features like fold-down seats, best in class electronics and gadgets to entertain both busy parents and media-hungry children. Few of these are new, but when you’re making an inexpensive upgrade from a sedan, they can be precious.
Third-row Seating
While third-row seating has become an essential differentiator for vehicles in this class, they aren’t always the most comfortable. Much like being stuck in a cramped coach seat, in many cases, the third-row value is only made possible by manufacturers who put in an aisle or sliding seats in the second row. While entry and exit to this last row are tight and a bit difficult if you’re older or disabled, families who love their crossovers find it invaluable.
Overall, it’s clear the SUV killed the minivan, and the Crossover threatens to do the same to the sedan. As long as automakers refresh older models periodically and give newer models more exciting features, crossover sales will continue to be strong in this decade.