The popularity of SUVs has exploded over the past few years. They are the type of vehicle that everyone wants. This popularity and demand has given birth to several new subtypes of SUVs, making them much more accessible to everyone. To understand which one is best for you, start by checking whether you’re looking for a traditional truck-chassis SUV or a newer car-chassis SUV. But that depends on the size of SUV you need. The sizes of SUVs available today include compact crossover, crossover, mid-size, and full-size. Then you need to figure out what type of engine and which features you need. Of course, each automaker will be attempting to provide their own distinct flavor with their SUV.
Understanding the sizes
Let’s clarify the deal about all the new SUV sizes. The segment of SUVs, called crossovers, is based on a car chassis. These are the smallest SUVs on the market and cover the subcompact and compact sizes. They also drive like cars rather than trucks and are powered by four- or six-cylinder engines. They can handle some basic off-road driving, but they aren’t really rugged. As compared to traditional truck-based SUVs, they offer much better gas mileage as they are usually smaller and lighter with engines focused on a balance of power and efficiency.
Mid-size SUVs are more like trucks than the smaller crossovers. They’re able to handle rougher terrain, and some even have four- or all-wheel drive. Mid-size SUVs are usually powered by six-cylinder engines but can also have eight-cylinder engines on certain trims. They also offer much more passenger and cargo space than sub-compact or compact SUVs. Some mid-size SUVs also have third rows, but these aren’t spacious and compromise on cargo space.
Full-size SUVs are very truck-like. They’re also based on truck chassis and will be similar to the manufacturer’s trucks. These full-size SUVs have the ability to tow and haul the most weight among all types of SUVs. They also have a higher driving position and high ground clearance. They feature four- or all-wheel drive, which makes them excellent off-road and in tricky conditions. But they can be challenging to maneuver and accelerate slowly. They’re not fuel-efficient and are often powered by big six- or eight-cylinder engines.