What is a crossover?
A crossover is an SUV built on a car platform, with the body and frame as one piece (unibody). It gives you an SUV's height, liftgate, and cargo room with a car's smoother ride, easier handling, and better fuel economy. Most vehicles sold as SUVs today are crossovers.
Key traits.
- Unibody construction, shared with or adapted from a car platform.
- SUV proportions: a tall roof, a high seating position, and a rear liftgate.
- Five to seven seats; compact crossovers seat five, midsize crossovers often offer a third row.
- Front-wheel or all-wheel drive, with AWD common and built for rain, snow, and gravel rather than rock crawling.
- Car-like manners: independent suspension, a smoother ride, and better efficiency than a truck-based SUV.
Crossover sizes, with examples.
| Size | Seats | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Subcompact | 5 | Mercedes-Benz GLA, BMW X1, Honda HR-V, Toyota Corolla Cross |
| Compact | 5 (some 7) | Mercedes-Benz GLB and GLC, BMW X3, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Lexus NX |
| Midsize | 5 to 7 | Mercedes-Benz GLE, BMW X5, Lexus RX, Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot |
| Large | 6 to 7 | Mercedes-Benz GLS, BMW X7, Audi Q7 |
Why most SUVs are crossovers now.
Buyers wanted the height and space of an SUV without the fuel bill and truck-like ride, so manufacturers moved nearly all of their SUVs to unibody platforms. Automakers and dealers usually just call them SUVs. The true body-on-frame SUVs that remain, such as the Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, Toyota 4Runner, and Mercedes-Benz G-Class, are built for towing and hard off-road use. See the side-by-side comparison.
Pros and cons.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Smooth, car-like ride | Tows less than a body-on-frame SUV |
| Better fuel economy than a truck-based SUV | Not built for serious off-road trails |
| High seating and easy entry | Costs more than the matching car |
| Available AWD for all-weather driving | Third rows are tight in smaller models |
Who a crossover fits.
- Most families, most of the time.
- Drivers who want AWD for weather, not rock trails.
- Anyone who wants a higher seat without truck-like driving.
How a crossover compares.
Quick answers.
What is a crossover car?
An SUV built on a car platform, such as the Mercedes-Benz GLC, Toyota RAV4, or Honda CR-V: SUV height and a liftgate with car-like ride and efficiency.
Is a crossover an SUV?
Yes, a crossover is a type of SUV. The difference is construction: a crossover is unibody like a car, while a traditional SUV is built on a separate truck frame.
Crossover vs SUV
A crossover rides more smoothly and uses less fuel; a traditional body-on-frame SUV tows more and handles hard off-road use better.
Crossover vs hatchback
A crossover is essentially a taller hatchback with more ground clearance and available all-wheel drive. A hatchback sits lower, handles better, and usually costs less.
What is a crossover vs a compact SUV?
They are usually the same vehicle. Most compact SUVs, such as the Mercedes-Benz GLC, Toyota RAV4, and Honda CR-V, are crossovers.