We hear the terms ‘SUV’ and ‘crossover’ thrown about a lot but very few people can tell the difference between the two. If you’re in the market for a good family car, it’s important to know two things. First, the two terms aren’t interchangeable. Second, Knowing what differentiates one from the other could be the thing that decides which car is right for you.
What Is an SUV?
An SUV refers to a Sport Utility Vehicle and has been around a lot longer than crossovers. The Chevy Suburban was a pioneer model of this kind of vehicle and it made its debut in the 1930s. This car was followed by Willys Jeep Station Wagon which dominated American roads in the mid-1940s. After that, the 1969 Chevy Blazer began a manufacturing boom resulting in the modern-day SUV we see on roads today. What makes an SUV distinctive is the way it is constructed, with the body on the frame.
The chassis forms the foundation of the car. Suspension, wheels, engine, and the remaining drivetrain are all attached to the frame after which a separate unit – the steel body – is then mounted onto the frame. SUVs still use body-on-frame construction and in most cases are rear-wheel drives or four-wheel drives rather than all-wheel drives.
What Is a Crossover?
On the other hand, a crossover uses a unibody architecture. This means that it is made with a body and frame as a single structure. This technology is more recent and makes for a lighter vehicle and a more cost-efficient manufacturing process. It also allows for more built-in safety features like crumple zones. Examples of crossovers are the Kia Sorento and the Hyundai Santa Fe. Both these vehicles employ unibody construction.
What’s the Difference?
It’s easy to see why one kind of car is confused with the other. The difference is only important to the pedants among us. When you hear the term “Crossover SUV” (CUV) it refers to a multi-passenger vehicle with a unibody construction. There is an argument that crossovers, in general, are more comfortable, fuel-efficient, and a lot safer. However, SUV manufacturers roll out models that also boast these features.
In the end, the only thing we need to remember is that an SUV is not a crossover when it’s built like a truck, with a body-on-frame construction.
