If you’ve been thinking about buying a car, it’s likely that you may have considered an SUV or a crossover. But, what is the difference between the two? Many people do not know and wonder why some models are called crossovers while others are SUVs while they look the same. In order to shed some light on the situation, some of the major differences between SUVs and crossovers have been listed below:
1. Platform
For those who love cars, the difference between a crossover and an SUV can be fairly simple. They contend that the difference lies in the platform. The crossover uses a car’s platform while an SUV uses the chassis of a truck. In a crossover, the frame and the body are a single piece; but, when it comes to an SUV, the body is built separately from the frame and the two are put together at a later stage. The SUV uses a “body-on-frame” design while the crossover has a “unibody” structure, wherein the frame and body are one single piece.
2. Is it all about marketing?
Many people use the two terms, that is, SUV and crossover, interchangeably. There are several unibody design cars that are referred to as SUVs like the Toyota Highlander or the Jeep Grand Cherokee or Ford Explorer. This is because of their strategic marketing and design elements. Many car makers have opted for the label of “crossovers” because of a misconception about SUVs that states an SUV, due to its large size, has poor mileage. Therefore, people used to refrain from buying SUVs.
3. Is it okay to call a car an SUV?
If you happen to be confused about the two terms and are unsure of whether your vehicle uses a unibody design or a body-on-frame structure, experts opine that you use the term SUV. An SUV is still used to describe anything that has higher ground clearance and an all-wheel drive. People who use the term “crossover” to describe a body-on-frame structure are technically incorrect. The Mercedes G Class and the Chevrolet Tahoe, for example, are still SUVs in that sense, wherein the term “crossover” doesn’t make any sense.
So when it comes to SUVs and crossovers and the major differences and their meaning, there are many terms that are blindly thrown around. Some include CUV or Crossover Utility Vehicle, SAV or Sports Activity Vehicle, and sometimes even the combination of “crossover SUV.” However, one must learn that the difference is strictly restricted to the name and that the above are all alternative names for a crossover.
It is important for buyers to understand the mechanics and intricacies of each different vehicle as many share attributes of both SUVs and crossovers. To make the right choice, you must undertake deep and thorough research before going in for the purchase.