A crossover SUV – also called a crossover utility vehicle – is a type of sport utility vehicle of unibody construction. Crossovers are often based on a platform shared with a passenger car. Compared to truck-based SUVs, they typically have better interior comfort, a more comfortable ride, superior fuel economy, and less off-road capability. Many crossovers lack all-wheel drive, which, in combination with their lesser off-road capability, challenges their definition as "sports utility vehicles". Furthermore, there are inconsistencies about whether some vehicles are considered crossovers or SUVs; therefore, the term "SUV" is often used as a catch-all for both crossovers and compact SUVs. In the United States, crossover models comprised more than 50% of the overall SUV market. Crossovers have become increasingly popular in Europe also since the early 2010s. Forerunners of the modern crossover include the 1977 Matra Rancho and the AMC Eagle introduced in 1979.
Definition
The difference between crossovers and other SUVs is sometimes defined as a crossover being built using a unibody platform, while an SUV is built using a body-on-frame platform. However, these definitions are often blurred in practice, since unibody vehicles are also often referred to as SUVs. Also, "crossover" is a relatively recent term, and early unibody SUVs are rarely called crossovers. Due to these inconsistencies, the term "SUV" is often used as an umbrella term for both crossovers and SUVs. Outside of the United States, the term "crossover" tends to be used for C-segment or smaller vehicles, with large unibody vehicles—such as the Audi Q7, BMW X7 and Volkswagen Touareg—usually known as SUVs rather than crossovers. In the United Kingdom, a crossover is sometimes defined as a hatchback with raised ride height and SUV-like styling features.
History
Introduced in 1979, the AMC Eagle is retroactively considered to be the first dedicated crossover automobile that made its debut prior to the terms "SUV" or "crossover" being coined. The mass-market Eagle model line was based on a unibody passenger car platform, with fully automaticfour-wheel drive and a raised ride height. Some cite the front-wheel drive 1977 Matra Rancho as a slightly earlier forerunner to the modern crossover. Though it is not part of the modern linear evolution, and only fifteen were built, some stretch the definition and history of the "crossover" to regard the off-road racing 1936 Opel Geländesportwagen as the first of the class. The 1994 Toyota RAV4 is credited as the model that expanded the concept and the crossover market segment. Essentially a shrunken SUV, the RAV4 was based on the platform used by the Toyota Corolla.
Size categories
Subcompact crossover
Subcompact crossovers are usually based on the platform of a subcompact passenger car. They typically have limited off-road capabilities, with some differing from the standard hatchback model with only a bumper hinge and more ground clearance.
Compact crossover
Compact crossovers are usually based on the platform of a compact passenger car. The first compact crossovers included the 1994 Toyota RAV4, 1995 Honda CR-V, 2000 Nissan X-Trail, 2000 Mazda Tribute and 2001 Ford Escape. The number of compact crossover models offered has rapidly increased since 2010. In 2019, it was stated by Car and Driver that "so many of these vehicles are crowding the marketplace, simply sorting through them can be a daunting task".
Full-size crossovers are usually based on full-size cars. They are the largest crossovers which offer three rows. The first full-size crossovers include the 2007 GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook and the 2008 Buick Enclave.
Sales
Europe
Since the early 2010s, sales of crossover-type vehicles have been increasing in Europe. By 2017, European sales of compact and mid-sized crossover models continued to surge.
United States
Sales of crossovers increased 30% between 2003 and 2005. By 2006, the segment came into strong visibility in the U.S., when crossover sales "made up more than 50% of the overall SUV market". Sales increased in 2007 by 16%. In 2013, the Audi Q5 became Audi's second best-selling vehicle in the United States market after the Audi A4 sedan. Around half of Lexus' sales volume has come from its SUVs since the late 1990s. American manufacturers were initially slow to switch from their emphasis on light truck-based SUVs, and foreign automakers developed crossovers targeting the U.S. market as an alternative to station wagons that were unpopular there. But by the 2010 model year, American car manufacturers had caught up.
