Crossover vs. SUV: Pros and Cons Explained

Some people who are unfamiliar with cars assume that crossovers and SUVs are one and the same. It’s an easy mistake to make — they’re both large vehicle types with similar body shapes that can be driven around in the city with relative ease.

Still, the two are more different than some might think, especially if you consider their intended purposes.

SUV vs. Crossover: What’s the Difference?

Crossovers and SUVs have a lot in common, like their high-ground clearances, large cargo spaces, and ample interior space. However, they also have major differences.

SUVs have a higher ride height on average and are more well-suited to off-road driving compared to crossovers. They handle rough terrain with ease while carrying heavier loads. This comes at a cost because their large size and heavy components mean they consume a lot of fuel.

Structure-wise, crossovers offer handling and drive quality similar to sedans because of their unibody construction. On the other hand, SUVs are more rugged and more well-suited for off-roading because of their body-on-frame construction.

A Deeper Dive into SUVs: Pros and Cons

Sports utility vehicles or SUVs are significantly larger than sedans and combine the features of common passenger cars with rugged off-road vehicles.

What differentiates SUVs from other vehicle types is their drivability in the wilderness, far from roads and civilization. Their large size, superior suspension, and high ground clearance make them suitable for going over rough and rocky terrain.

Advantages of SUVs

SUVs have a lot to offer drivers, especially those who love going on adventures off the beaten path.

Great Carrying Capacity

SUVs are powerful daily drivers. They can carry heavy cargo, making them ideal for drivers who often transport a ton of gear and equipment. Some models can also seat up to nine passengers and most can haul trailers without any problems.

Increased Visibility

SUVs are large and have a high ground clearance. These not only make them difficult to ignore but also give drivers a good view of their surroundings.

Impressive Off-road Capabilities

One of the biggest reasons drivers go for SUVs is their exceptional off-roading abilities. These vehicles are designed to drive over rough and rocky terrain safely and effectively, thanks to their high-ground clearance and all-wheel drive functionality.

Disadvantages of SUVs

Are you considering an SUV as your next daily driver? Be sure you’re aware of this vehicle type’s downsides to know what to expect once you’re behind the wheel.

Poor Handling

One of the biggest cons of using an SUV is the fact that they aren’t as agile and easy to drive as sedans and crossovers. Their size and weight can make them unwieldy and difficult to maneuver, making their handling and agility poor.

High Emissions

SUVs aren’t as fuel efficient as other vehicle types because their engines use a lot of gasoline. As a result, they tend to have increased emissions, which contributes to pollution and global warming.

Expensive

Due to their incredible size, weight, and capabilities, SUVs are expensive to purchase and maintain. It also doesn’t help that they aren’t very fuel efficient, meaning you’ll need to spend significantly more than the average car owner on gasoline.

A Closer Look Into Crossovers: Pros and Cons

Crossovers are the midpoint between smaller sedans and rugged SUVs, hence the name. They’re maneuverable and fuel-efficient, though not as much as sedans. Likewise, they’re large and powerful, but not to the same degree SUVs are.

Advantages of Crossovers

A crossover might be a good fit for you if you’re looking for a daily driver with the following traits.

Versatility

Crossover cars are a mix of some of the best traits of SUVs and sedans. Not only do crossovers have high ground clearance for on- and off-road driving, but they’re also highly customizable. This makes them incredibly versatile, giving drivers an easy time tailoring their crossover to their tastes.

Significant Cargo Space

Because crossovers are larger than sedans, they have room for more cargo. They’re perfect for large families and people who bring lots of gear with them.

Fuel Efficiency

Crossovers are smaller and lighter than SUVs, making them more fuel-efficient. This means drivers can spend less money on gas and get more mileage out of their vehicle per gallon of fuel.  It’s worth mentioning, however, that there are some crossovers and SUVs with similar sizes, making them closer in terms of fuel efficiency.

Comfortable Driving

Another big draw to crossovers is that they’re designed with comfort in mind. This typically means they have spacious interiors and offer a smooth driving experience.

Improved Safety

Crossovers typically perform well in crash tests due to their large and durable frames. They provide drivers and passengers alike with a lot of protection in the event of an accident.

Disadvantages of Crossovers

No vehicle is perfect, and crossovers are no different. Here are some of the reasons why some think twice about getting one.

Costly

Crossovers are bigger and more expensive than sedans. Because of their size and complexity, they have high maintenance and repair costs. Their size and weight also mean they use more fuel compared to sedans but less than SUVs.

Low Maneuverability

Though crossovers are by no means unwieldy, their size and weight make them more difficult to drive than a sedan despite the fact that both of them use unibody constructions.

Crossovers handle better than SUVs and trucks but they won’t be as agile and maneuverable as smaller vehicle types.

Decent Off-Road Capabilities

Though crossovers have decent off-roading capabilities, they’re not as effective at driving off the beaten path compared to SUVs. This is because they’re designed with urban functionality in mind. However, this doesn’t mean they can’t be driven in the wilderness.

Difficult to Park

Crossovers can be tricky to park because of their size, especially in tight urban areas where the parking spaces are much smaller.

Crossover Cars vs. SUV: Choosing the Best Vehicle for You

Because of the differences between SUVs and crossovers, it’s important to choose the right vehicle for you. People have different lifestyles, which means one will always be more suitable for specific tasks than the other.

Before committing to either a crossover or an SUV, make sure to consider what you plan on using your vehicle for.

Why Get a Crossover?

Crossover vehicles are perfect for city drivers who want or need a large vehicle.

Crossovers are more fuel-efficient and ideal for on-road urban driving than SUVs, all while offering tremendous cargo space, carrying capacity, and passenger room. They’re also more suited for everyday use compared to SUVs.

Why Get an SUV?

Drivers in need of a sturdy vehicle for heavy-duty activities, such as hauling cargo or off-road driving, might want to get an SUV over a crossover.

SUVs are perfect for people who live more adventurous lifestyles and find themselves going off the beaten path, carrying heavy cargo all the while. Much like crossovers, they’re suitable for everyday use, however, they use significantly more fuel due to their tremendous size and weight.