Although SUVs and crossovers are similar, there are important distinctions between the two. Here are the key differences.
Foundations: SUVs are like trucks, while crossovers are like cars. SUVs usually use body on frame construction. Their body is bolted on to a frame. Crossovers have a unibody architecture, which means that the chassis and the body are one. Body-on-frame vehicles are typically more rugged, more capable off-road, more durable, better at towing, and excellent off-road. Unibody vehicles are lighter, fuel-efficient, more comfortable on roads, and car-like to drive. Most people don’t care about off-road capabilities. They just want something comfortable that looks the part.
Technology: Technology is improving day by day. It is also being used to improve SUVs. The new Defender is based on a unibody platform, but it is still amazing off-road. Its lightweight materials help engineers improve fuel economy too. Meanwhile, crossovers are gaining incredibly advanced systems with bells and whistles that help them off-road.
Performance: Only a real SUV will allow you to sprint through a desert or a forest. It keeps you stable when you’re off the road and ensures you’ll come home without breaking anything expensive. Trucks and SUVs are designed to tackle any conditions with ease. But if you’re more inclined to driving on the road, then a crossover will suit you well. It will be based on a car, so it will be sharp, quick, and fun to drive. Crossovers are also very fuel-efficient.
The best-selling vehicles in America last year were the Ford F-150, the Ram 1500, and the Chevrolet Silverado – all trucks. These are pickups built on the same body-on-frame architecture as SUVs. The next four spots are taken up by the Toyota RAV4, the Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, and Chevrolet Equinox. These are crossovers built on car-like unibody architecture. The final three spots are taken by sedans. Crossovers are clearly the more popular options today. The only SUV that came close was the Jeep Grand Cherokee at number 13. But even that isn’t a traditional SUV. It’s still based on a unibody construction but classified as an SUV because it’s extremely capable and durable. The Wrangler, a proper body-on-frame SUV, came in at number 17.