What’s the Difference Between Crossovers and SUVs?

SUVs and crossovers each deliver a very different driving experience. The goal of a crossover is to combine many of the advantages of a car with the advantages of an SUV. Ideally, the disadvantages of each get left behind. Modern engineering allows more efficient use of space, stronger materials, and better handling for larger cars. Each of these ideals helps draw car and SUV strengths together in a crossover.

Key Build Differences

SUVs are built on what’s called a ladder frame. This relies on attaching the body of the car to the frame only after the frame’s been put together with the engine and drivetrain. You can tell the difference when you’re driving. SUVs are prone to letting their momentum slip them sideways on a turn, removing some of the driver’s control. They may even start to body roll when taking a tight corner at speed.

By contrast, crossovers are built more like cars. This allows a tighter construction where the chassis is built as one piece, resulting in a lower center of gravity without reducing the ride height. This leads to safer, more nimble handling, smoother ride, and all-around tighter driving experience.

Crossover Advantages

Crossovers are able to maintain many of the strengths of an SUV – number of passengers, cargo space, simple head and leg room. Yet the build philosophy means that they perform more similarly to cars – returning control to the driver and allowing for smoother, safer rides.

SUVs and crossovers are built differently from the very start, and it shows in the control you get as a result. SUVs will typically retain a little more room for cargo, but crossovers deliver many of an SUV’s strengths with the better control and driving capabilities of a car.

Filling a Wider Array of Needs

To this end, crossovers fulfill most of the spectrum between cars and SUVs. You can find smaller, coupe-inspired crossovers that are exceptionally fun drives, and you can find larger SUV-style crossovers that are geared more toward passengers and cargo space. In that way, crossovers also tend to offer a wider range that can fulfill very specific needs.