Is A Crossover Vehicle In Your Future? The Benefits
If you would like the utility of an SUV but could do without the huge size and tiny MPG ratings, then a crossover vehicle might be in your future.
Crossover vehicles are so named because they are a cross between a traditional SUV and a traditional car. Many people still refer to them as SUVs, but there is one fundamental distinction that sets crossover vehicles apart: whereas SUVs are based on truck platforms, crossover vehicles are built on car platforms.
You see, full-size SUVs are essentially converted pickup trucks. Because trucks are often asked to carry heavy cargo, they are built with a heavier frame and larger engine to handle the potential loads. The tradeoff is that they then get lower gas mileage and don’t handle as well, even when not carrying heavy cargo. When truck platforms are converted into SUVs, you still get those same downsides, even though most people will never try to load a thousand pounds of dirt into their hatchback.
Crossover vehicles, on the other hand, are converted sedans. Though they may look more like an SUV on the outside, underneath they are still driving on a sedan chassis. This allows crossovers to provide the best of both worlds.
With their SUV design, they are able to carry more people and more cargo than a typical car. But with their car platforms, they give you the handling, maneuverability, safety features and gas mileage of a sedan. They can still carry the whole family and handle those trips back from the home improvement store. But they will do so while saving you money, burning less gas and often having lower sticker prices than full-size SUVs.
Because of these benefits, crossovers have been increasing in popularity. Some of the popular new crossover models include:
- The Buick Enclave
- The GMC Acadia and Terrain
- The Lincoln MKX
- The Ford Edge, Escape, Explorer and Flex
- The Toyota Highlander, RAV4 and Venza
At NYE Automotive, you can check out all of these crossover vehicles for yourself, and find the one that is perfect for you. Contact us today with any questions, or stop by our Oneida showroom for a test drive.
I’m looking for a Crossover with the ability to haul ‘weekend’ loads like 60 landscape bricks, four sheets of 4′x8′ plywood, and ten to fifteen 8′, 10′, & 12′ 2”x4”s. I would call this a “Crossover Convertible” or “Crossover Pickup”. It would have a durable cargo floor that lies flat (durable walls & ‘gate’, too), and the space would be coverable when empty, to keep it clean. Of course I want to drive to work and church with nice clothes, with space for a driver and 3-4 passengers. I would like to take it on camping trips with room for full size air mattress (queen even better). I like efficiency, good fuel mileage and compact, when possible. Brand Name??? the Cargo Mobile or the Service Payloader.