Crossover

Crossover is a very interesting noun and it is used to indicate various things. Generally, crossover is a place at which crossing is made such as a train transferring from one line to another using a short connecting track. 

In music, “crossover” means the adaptation of musical styles by blending two or more elements to appeal to a wider audience.   In politics, a crossover candidate is someone who jumps from one Political party to another to seeking due advantage, skipping from the North to the South district perhaps to extend term?  hmmm… In entertainment, crossover pertains to movies that appeal to different demographic groups like Disney’s “Finding Nemo” which appealed to both adults and kids.  In the sport of basketball, it is an action used by players to pass defenders like CP3’s lightning quick change of direction. In cars, a crossover (or CUV - crossover utility vehicle) is a vehicle built on a car platform  and combining, in highly variable degrees, features of a sport utility vehicle  (SUV) with features from a passenger vehicle, especially those of a station wagon  or hatchback. 

This concept was introduced by American Motors Corporation (AMC) in the late 80’s when they created the AMC Eagle. This model in its “early man stages” looked more like lifted station wagons than SUVs.  Ever since its introduction, people have been finding it hard to differentiate a crossover from an SUV. One fitting definition of a crossover would be “a wagon that looks like a sport utility vehicle but ride like a car.” According to wiki, this is the fastest growing segment in the entire automotive industry.

 Even though a lot of crossovers are now driving the market like the award winning 2012 Honda CRV and the Toyota RAV4, you might be wondering why car manufacturers decide to fuse rough-and-tumble SUV looks with the car-based platform.

As it turns out, there are a number of benefits to a crossover vehicle design. With this type of platform, you get a higher, upright seating position, which can improve outward visibility- pretty much like an SUV. You also get lots of interior space without the bulky looks of an SUV, something a family man would appreciate.  The car platform fused with the ride height and sturdiness of the SUV combines for good crash protection.

So why not buy an SUV instead?   SUVs have a few downsides.   Because SUVs tend to ride on truck-based platforms, they’re heavy. This extra weight can make SUVs tough to stop, and it makes them have “less-than-stellar fuel mileage.” SUVs also have substantial suspensions built for off-road driving. On the road, however, these same suspensions can feel a bit sensitive and uncomfortable. Finally, with their tall stances, SUVs can be a bit top-heavy in corners, which make it a little tough to drive. Not to mention Grandpa’s riding ordeal.

By using a car-based platform, crossovers avoid these shortcomings, while keeping many of the things that people like about SUVs like passenger space. While crossovers are heavier than most cars, they tend to be lighter than SUVs. This helps them get better gas mileage. Also, with their car platforms, crossovers drive more like a car than SUVs do. In fact, once you get behind the wheel of a crossover you might feel like you’re driving a normal car. Their car-based platforms help make crossovers much more maneuverable in the city and in tight parking lots — something that can be tough in an SUV. Crossovers also tend to have smoother rides and better handling than SUVs do, making them comfortable enough for commuting.

While crossover cars are becoming increasingly popular, they do have some drawbacks.  SUVs are often meant to go on road and off road. That is one reason why they have a more rigid, heavier chassis, which is more durable. Crossover vehicles, which have car-unibody platforms, are not meant to go off road, at least not in a way that could be very rough on the vehicle. For those who have such cars, the rule of thumb is not to take it anywhere they would not take a normal vehicle.