Crossovers
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 653
Likes: 55
From: Lubbock, TX
We asked Autoweek senior road test editor Natalie Neff how Autoweek differentiates the two.
"The rule of thumb of unibody (built on a car platform) versus body on frame (built on a truck platform) is still what loosely guides the differentiation between a crossover and an SUV," Neff said.
Simply put, a crossover is more carlike and built on a unibody platform. That means the vehicle's structure is made of lots of welded-together sheetmetal parts. Unibody vehicles are very rigid and are lighter than a traditional body-on-frame truck since they don't need a heavy steel frame for support. At the same time, without a sturdy separate frame, unibody vehicles generally can't tow as much as heavier-duty vehicles.
That's where SUVs come in. They tend to be larger, more trucklike and built with body-on-frame construction--the way most pickup and work trucks are put together. However, it's increasingly common for larger SUVs, like the Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee, to take on unibody design, blurring the distinction.
"The notion of a crossover is a marketing tool more than anything," Neff said. "We (Autoweek and shopautoweek.com) tend to call anything trucklike--higher ground clearance, flat-loading cargo area, availability of all- or four-wheel drive--an SUV by generic definition, but if the vehicle is more car-based, more carlike, crossover is totally interchangeable."
Why would the term "crossover" be used as a marketing tool? As consumers began to sour on the original gas- and road-hogging sport-utility vehicles, the term SUV became synonymous with arrogance and excess. To help market a new crop of more-efficient large people movers, manufacturers turned to the term crossover to avoid the stigma of SUVs.
We took to the Web to see how a few of the largest automobile manufacturers display their crossover/SUV offerings. Ford's Web site has one tab labeled "Crossovers and SUVs" to cover the gamut of their vehicles that are neither cars nor trucks. Toyota uses the same single-tab strategy on its Web site.
General Motors uses an advanced search system where users can check a box to filter for either crossover or SUV options. Interestingly enough, all crossover models are also featured in the SUV-specific list.
To determine whether crossovers or SUVs are more popular today, we contacted Daniel Sherman, associate editor for ALG, a provider of residual-value information, analytical data, software and consulting for the automotive industry. Sherman agreed that the differentiation between the two categories is shrinking.
"We currently only differentiate between SUV and crossover in the midsize and premium-midsize categories," Sherman said. "It is likely that over the next few months we will eliminate any differentiation between the two, instead creating 'utility vehicle' segments."
Could this be the trend: One generic term to describe all things neither sedan nor pickup truck? As always, we'll keep you posted.
"The rule of thumb of unibody (built on a car platform) versus body on frame (built on a truck platform) is still what loosely guides the differentiation between a crossover and an SUV," Neff said.
Simply put, a crossover is more carlike and built on a unibody platform. That means the vehicle's structure is made of lots of welded-together sheetmetal parts. Unibody vehicles are very rigid and are lighter than a traditional body-on-frame truck since they don't need a heavy steel frame for support. At the same time, without a sturdy separate frame, unibody vehicles generally can't tow as much as heavier-duty vehicles.
That's where SUVs come in. They tend to be larger, more trucklike and built with body-on-frame construction--the way most pickup and work trucks are put together. However, it's increasingly common for larger SUVs, like the Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee, to take on unibody design, blurring the distinction.
"The notion of a crossover is a marketing tool more than anything," Neff said. "We (Autoweek and shopautoweek.com) tend to call anything trucklike--higher ground clearance, flat-loading cargo area, availability of all- or four-wheel drive--an SUV by generic definition, but if the vehicle is more car-based, more carlike, crossover is totally interchangeable."
Why would the term "crossover" be used as a marketing tool? As consumers began to sour on the original gas- and road-hogging sport-utility vehicles, the term SUV became synonymous with arrogance and excess. To help market a new crop of more-efficient large people movers, manufacturers turned to the term crossover to avoid the stigma of SUVs.
We took to the Web to see how a few of the largest automobile manufacturers display their crossover/SUV offerings. Ford's Web site has one tab labeled "Crossovers and SUVs" to cover the gamut of their vehicles that are neither cars nor trucks. Toyota uses the same single-tab strategy on its Web site.
General Motors uses an advanced search system where users can check a box to filter for either crossover or SUV options. Interestingly enough, all crossover models are also featured in the SUV-specific list.
To determine whether crossovers or SUVs are more popular today, we contacted Daniel Sherman, associate editor for ALG, a provider of residual-value information, analytical data, software and consulting for the automotive industry. Sherman agreed that the differentiation between the two categories is shrinking.
"We currently only differentiate between SUV and crossover in the midsize and premium-midsize categories," Sherman said. "It is likely that over the next few months we will eliminate any differentiation between the two, instead creating 'utility vehicle' segments."
Could this be the trend: One generic term to describe all things neither sedan nor pickup truck? As always, we'll keep you posted.
23 Years of daily F-150
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 625
Likes: 82
I have an edge and the build quality and space inside is impressive. It looks smaller then the old style escape but it has way more room and way better quality. My wife wanted an escape... Then we drove an edge. I'm not talking about the newest escape as I've never driven one but they look nice!
Anyone have more input on the Flex? It intrigues me some.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 801
Likes: 67
The Explorer is is more of an SUV than a crossover. The Explorer is on a truck chassis, and the Edge is a crossover on a car chassis.
My wife just traded her '08 Explorer Limited for a '13 Edge Limited. There is a noticeable difference in the ride quality. The Edge feels a good bit smoother. Her Explorer was a 6 cylinder and the Edge is an EcoBoost. The Edge feels every bit as powerful as that Explorer did, and the power delivery makes it easier and more fun to drive. We have a 17-month old daughter. In the Explorer, we had to scoot the passenger seat up a good bit so she had enough room for her feet. The seat would be moved up to the point where I didn't like sitting up there, and I'm only 5'6". I would always have to drive and my wife would sit in the passenger seat. The Edge, however, has plenty of room for our daughter in her car seat to have her space, while leaving enough room for the passenger seat to be in a comfortable position and not cramp the passenger. I never expected that. There was also enough room for plenty of luggage, big toys, play pen, booster chair, and a couple bags of stuff when my wife and daughter took a trip to come visit me (I work out of state). There is no third row seat in it, and I'm not sure if the Edge is even available with a third row seat. I can tell you that at first I was a little hesitant about the size of the Edge, but the space seems to be better utilized and actually feels more roomy inside than the Explorer. I haven't compared it to the new body style Explorer, though. But unless there is an absolute need for the third row seating, I'd give the Edge a strong consideration, especially with the EcoBoost.
My wife just traded her '08 Explorer Limited for a '13 Edge Limited. There is a noticeable difference in the ride quality. The Edge feels a good bit smoother. Her Explorer was a 6 cylinder and the Edge is an EcoBoost. The Edge feels every bit as powerful as that Explorer did, and the power delivery makes it easier and more fun to drive. We have a 17-month old daughter. In the Explorer, we had to scoot the passenger seat up a good bit so she had enough room for her feet. The seat would be moved up to the point where I didn't like sitting up there, and I'm only 5'6". I would always have to drive and my wife would sit in the passenger seat. The Edge, however, has plenty of room for our daughter in her car seat to have her space, while leaving enough room for the passenger seat to be in a comfortable position and not cramp the passenger. I never expected that. There was also enough room for plenty of luggage, big toys, play pen, booster chair, and a couple bags of stuff when my wife and daughter took a trip to come visit me (I work out of state). There is no third row seat in it, and I'm not sure if the Edge is even available with a third row seat. I can tell you that at first I was a little hesitant about the size of the Edge, but the space seems to be better utilized and actually feels more roomy inside than the Explorer. I haven't compared it to the new body style Explorer, though. But unless there is an absolute need for the third row seating, I'd give the Edge a strong consideration, especially with the EcoBoost.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 414
Likes: 11
From: Central Alabama
Flex !!! Drive an you will buy. We have owned 3 and the MKT.
Flex. It does have 3rd row seating. Flex. Like the NA better than the Ecobost.
Could not keep the foot out of the gas pedal. Check them out.
Flex. It does have 3rd row seating. Flex. Like the NA better than the Ecobost.
Could not keep the foot out of the gas pedal. Check them out.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 973
Likes: 131
From: Kitchener Ontario. Canada
Had an Enclave as "the family sedan". Had 200,000kms on it with no issues. Still would have it if I didn't get T-boned.
http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/...clavecrash.jpg
http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/...clavecrash.jpg