Nearly every base model starts between $20,000 to 21,000 only a handful are considerably higher. Since the base prices are so competitive across the segment, shoppers have a lot to consider. To the owners of traditional SUVs, though, lower gas costs bring some relief. Fuel economy is improving across the segment, but still isn't much to boast about…at least, compared to smaller family sedans. And since crossover competition is so fierce, automakers are working to earn bragging points wherever possible. Giving up some features also makes a lighter vehicle, and a lighter design contributes to better fuel economy than minivans and full-size SUVs. Though they're smaller outside, crossovers' interiors are capable of hauling more passengers and cargo than their truck-frame-based counterparts. In addition to providing car-like comfort with some SUV functionality, the unibody frame also enables manufacturers to design cabins with more interior space. However, many were reluctant to downgrade from comfy interiors, more accessible seating and cargo areas, readily available all-wheel-drive, and lofty views from the cabin…so crossovers slotted neatly into that middle ground. But when gas prices began to climb, a lot of people appeared to realize they didn't exactly need such features. True, many cannot haul a boat or a trailer, and rugged off-road-capable looks are simply a styling trait. Keep reading to find out what lies inside a crossover.Ĭrossovers provide many of the perks of full-size SUVs, with fewer compromises. But there's more to a car than its exterior. Another anomaly is the Suzuki SX-4, which is among the smallest cars in the class, and is easily mistaken for a compact hatchback even though it's loaded with sport utility features and attitude.Īs long as automakers keep older models fresh and make newer models more exciting, crossover sales are expected to stay strong. Yet the Mini Cooper Countryman captures the driving experience of the sporty Mini Cooper. It boasts characteristic Mini cheekiness, but a bit more rugged than usual, and features Mini's first all-wheel-drive option. Larger than a regular Mini Cooper, but considerably smaller than some of its crossover competitors, the Countryman packs a lot of style into a tight package. The 2011 Mini Countryman is an example of the segment's changing dynamic. Some automakers are using the crossover market to experiment. In either case, the segment's styling cues are an asset. Because of the way crossovers are perceived, there are generally two ways to lure a potential buyer: sell the features as either an upgrade from a sedan or wagon, or as a socially acceptable move downscale from a full-size or luxury SUV. "Crossover" is now used almost interchangeably with "compact SUV," but some new entries are pushing those boundaries.Ĭrossovers are so heavily marketed based on style that many car shoppers mentally separate crossovers from SUVs based on aesthetics rather than technical benchmarks. What was once something of a catch-all category (tall wagons and sedans, rounded minivans, and compact SUVs) is now becoming more clearly defined despite a growing breadth of options. The term "crossover" came into the lexicon less than a decade ago, when car buyers didn't really know what they were - but they bought them anyway. Today, there are upwards of 70 crossovers sold in the United States. The crossover segment has enjoyed staggering growth, with a sales increase that's by far the highest in the industry, and automakers are still muddling the category with new contributions. There is a bright spot, though, and as a result, many families are happily cruising in style. The auto industry's recent struggle keeps making headlines, but it isn't exactly news anymore - sales have slumped, factories have shut down, and entire brands have been killed off.
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