Crossover vehicles are the dark horse of the
automobile industry. Minivans had their day, but soccer moms demand more.
Actually, soccer dads are probably demanding more too. With automakers' recent
struggles, it's amazing that anyone is buying anything anymore. It used to be
that SUVs were the go-to vehicle for families. The problem is that, while SUVs
have size, they don't have fuel efficiency and they also aren't always
comfortable.
Enter, the crossover. It's a mix between a
car and an SUV, and it has many of the attributes of a minivan without the
stigma of "mom jeans."
They're
Stylish Now
Styling isn't always the most important
factor, but no one really wants to drive around in a box or something that
looks like it came from the '70s. Car manufacturers are keen to the importance
of style, and have updated it in their new offerings. They're also
experimenting on consumers. Some companies are making their crossovers smaller
than the previous market standard. Others are testing the idea of larger
vehicles. What does this mean for you? It means more choice.
They're
Better With Gasoline
Old SUVs used to get 13 MPG, but that just
won't do today. gas prices are rising, and they might keep going in that
direction if oil refining doesn't pick up soon. On the other hand, if you need
to tow a boat behind you, the old crossovers can't "man up" to the
job.
Today's crossovers offer more power, yet they're
easier on your wallet at the pump. Part of the innovations here come from a
switch to more conservative engine sizes. The Toyota RAV-4 is a 4-cylinder that
boasts 22MGP in the city and 28MPG on the highway. The company's Highlander
Hybrid mates an electric engine with a traditional gasoline one, and achieves
280 horsepower with an EPA rating of 28 MPG on the open road.
There
Are Lots of Extras
Gone are the days of crank windows and no
A/C. Even with SUVs, you had to sacrifice some of the creature comforts. But,
with the new generation crossovers, you actually get as many options as you do
with cars. For example, the Chevy Traverse has a towing capacity of 5,200 lbs.
That's enough to tow just about anything except a semi.
All-wheel-drive is another important
feature than manufacturers are adding to many of these vehicles. When you look
at the Outback vs Forester,
you suddenly realize that both are good choices, and one of the reasons why is
because the manufacturer has gotten smart about what will be important to a
family - namely, safety. And, there are few recent technological innovations
that are safer than AWD.
The
Third Row
Unlike being the third wheel in a group of
friends, there's nothing social awkward about having a third row in a vehicle.
In fact, having one makes it a lot easier to transport kids - even ones that
aren't yours. And, that's a reality in today's world. You trade off taking kids
to soccer or baseball or whatever. You might also arrange play dates or take
your kid's friends out with you.
Robert
Navarro is a car connoisseur with a passion for innovation and practicality.
When not researching trends and auto tech, he enjoys blogging about the ins and
outs of the industry.
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