In the past few years, the number of cars on the country's roads has increased tens or even hundreds of times. Every day an increasing number of them are represented by SUVs, SUVs and crossovers. Large, roomy, with an interesting design, glossy and shiny, everyone likes them, but not everyone can answer the question, SUV - what is it, and name the differences between a crossover and a SUV or a crossover and an SUV. And you need to know them, because often, due to the ignorance of the townsfolk, manufacturers mislead them, calling SUVs crossovers, which, not only in the mud, are not always able to drive through the usual.

Definitions

So, SUV - what is it? It is impossible to give an answer to this question in three words, since attention should be paid to many criteria. The SUV is one of the Japanese brands with extended interior space, outwardly similar to a crossover, but without its mechanical characteristics. There is a misconception that SUVs, like crossovers, have increased cross-country ability. However, this is just a delusion. They are designed to drive on normal asphalt or, in extreme cases, on a rolled dry road.

A crossover is a hybrid of an SUV and a premium car. He, like an SUV, has a powerful engine and increased cross-country ability, and like a premium car - a glossy appearance. Accordingly, the patency of the crossover is significantly higher than that of the SUV. It is equipped and able to successfully cope with the routes of a light degree of weakness. However, this is more of a sports car than an off-road car. A crossover to an SUV is like walking to Moscow, so driving it along a badly broken, deformed track or a wet, muddy country road strewn with ruts, puddles and ditches is possible, but not for a long time. Much more characteristic of a crossover are “walks” along an asphalt road with infrequent trips out of town, which is explained by the relatively small margin of safety of its independent suspension.

The SUV is the king of any routes, even those that are not at all worthy of the name "road". Unlike a crossover, an SUV is designed specifically for off-road driving, its components have a huge margin of safety. All-terrain vehicles do not always have colossal dimensions, but they are necessarily characterized by high tractive power and maneuverability.

Differences in terms of mechanics

Judging only by appearance, all three categories of cars can be defined as SUVs, but due to how big the difference in their technical equipment is, it would be wrong to do so. In order to give the most complete answers to the questions: an SUV - what is it and how does an SUV differ from a crossover, you should consider in more detail the differences in their bodies, transmissions and suspensions.

A few words about the body

While crossovers and SUVs have only a load-bearing body assembly, SUVs are equipped with a frame structure with all units and assemblies. And, of course, the torsional rigidity of the crossover body is much higher than that of the SUV.

About transmission

A distinctive feature of the off-road transmission is the equipment with a reduced range of gears that allows you to overcome the conditions of bad roads. In addition, machines of this type have bridges that are forcibly connected, or all-wheel drive, a feature of which is

The transmission of crossovers is characterized by greater simplicity: they do not have a number of low gears and permanent all-wheel drive, it is connected only forcibly in the process of slipping.

The design of the SUV gearbox can be of two types: similar to that installed in a crossover or front-wheel drive, typical of an ordinary passenger car.

Suspension features

The SUV has a dependent suspension, which provides an increase in the degree of cross-country ability of the car. Its advantage is reliability, the disadvantage is that the comfort of driving an SUV is much inferior to a “walk” on a crossover or SUV.

SUVs and crossovers usually have a rear and front. The only difference is that the suspension of the latter is aimed at balancing successful use both off-road and on an ordinary asphalt track. You can get the most complete answer to the question, SUV - what is it, by making an attempt to drive a car off-road. If the crossover suspension has a sufficient margin of safety only for traveling on good paved or trampled sandy roads, then the SUV will not always go on an asphalt track if it is broken.

About wheels and patency

The most cardinal differences between SUVs, SUVs and crossovers are expressed in the features of their wheels and geometric cross-country ability.

The SUV is equipped with large wheels (from thirty inches in diameter and above) with a high sidewall. And crossovers and SUVs can have the usual low-profile, designed to drive traffic on asphalt.

SUV wheels must be of large diameter (from 30 inches) with a high sidewall. While crossovers and SUVs can be equipped with low-profile tires for driving on asphalt. The cross-country ability of SUVs has been significantly increased by reducing the overhangs of the stern and front of the car. This allows you to increase the exit and approach angles during sharp or unexpected descents and ascents. Crossovers and SUVs have lower cross-country ability, as they are equipped with fairly large overhangs. The reason for this is that in the design of SUV or crossover cars, the main indicator is the aesthetic moment, and not the physical one.

Mentioning the geometric patency, it is important to note that its main definition is the ability to overcome obstacles of varying complexity.

Main Representatives

The most prominent representatives of SUVs are Jeep Wrangler, Land Rover Discovery, Chevrolet Niva, VW Touareg, Range Rover, Niva, Mercedes-Benz ML / G-Class, and all models of the domestic UAZ.

The crossover family is proudly represented by the Jeep Grand, Infinity EX, Audi Q7 and Lexus RX.

The following cars are called SUVs: the new SUV Toyota RAV4, VW Tiguan, KIA Sportage, Nissan Qashqai (Murano, X-Trail) and Honda Pilot. We hope you can now see a clear difference.

Thinking about what a SUV and a crossover are, one cannot fail to mention cars that are at the junction of the above classes: Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Sport and Mercedes M-Class. They combine certain features of a crossover and SUV, that is, although crossovers usually do not have a number of reduction gears, the listed cars do have one.

If earlier the car was just a means of transportation, now it is a luxury that can be roomy or economical, with a beautiful design and with maximum comfort. In addition, the manufacturer produces cars of various bodies, for which ordinary drivers have come up with a lot of names. Today you will learn what an SUV is, and how it differs from an SUV.

Many people mistakenly confuse it with a crossover or even an SUV.. In fact, they are completely different machines. An SUV is called a car that has a fairly roomy space and is designed for family trips on ordinary roads. The crossover, although outwardly reminiscent of a SUV, is its combination with an SUV, which has a fairly powerful engine, and in some cases a transfer case. Some crossovers are equipped with all-wheel drive to improve cross-country ability.

If we talk about the SUV, then this is, as a rule, a front-wheel drive car that has similar dimensions to a crossover, but completely different characteristics, reminiscent of a regular sedan.

An off-road vehicle is also called a cross-country vehicle, which is designed to drive through mud, sand or stones, as well as to overcome high obstacles. The SUV must have all-wheel drive on all wheels, a transfer gearbox, as well as a sufficient diameter of the wheels. There is also a similarity with the SUV - it is a large and roomy interior, as well as similar dimensions.

Of course, the body shape and some of the external features of these three types of machines can mislead anyone, however, the technical characteristics will necessarily indicate otherwise.

body part

If the crossover and SUV have a conventional load-bearing body, then the SUV must necessarily have a frame structure, although there have been exceptions. The frame allows you to withstand huge loads and does not allow the body to deform when weight shifts.

The crossover has more torsional rigidity to be a little bit like an SUV. If we talk about the SUV, then it does not have such characteristics.

Transmission

Any SUV is equipped with two rows of gears, which are characterized as high or low. Downshifts are necessary to overcome most obstacles at low speed while using all the traction characteristics of the engine. In addition, a prerequisite is the presence of an interaxle differential lock, which eliminates slipping.

The crossover has the ability to connect all-wheel drive, when it is necessary to use all the capabilities of the car on difficult sections of the road, but it does not have a reduced range of gears.

The SUV has the simplest transmission used on conventional front-wheel drive passenger cars. It is characterized by increased simplicity, but has a very rigid clutch, which makes it easy to move a large machine. However, there are SUVs that allow the installation of a gearbox similar to that used on a crossover.

Chassis

Due to the fact that the SUV is operated on bad roads, it is characterized by an independent suspension that provides good cross-country ability under any conditions. However, such a chassis negates all ride comfort.

Things are quite different for the SUV and crossover. Since they are used mainly on asphalt roads, they tend to use independent suspension both front and rear. This approach provides high ride comfort, but if the margin of safety is low, then off-road driving will create big problems.

Wheel diameter

The off-road vehicle has very large wheels with a diameter of 30 inches or more. Moreover, the rubber has a high profile with rigid sidewalls and an appropriate tread. Tire pressure should be low to create good conditions for driving on loose ground, snowdrifts or mud.

Crossovers and SUVs can use large-diameter wheels, but with low-profile rubber, to increase the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe brake discs. In addition, low-profile tires have a fairly good performance when driving on asphalt.

Now you know what a SUV is, as well as what differences it has from a crossover and an SUV. Knowing this difference, you can make a choice in favor of exactly the car that will be used for personal needs. We wish you good luck on the road!

Everyone has probably heard the word "crossover", everyone has seen such cars, and some drive them. Many people know approximately what a crossover is - this is a car that "seems to be a jeep, but not quite a jeep either." The characteristic, frankly, is tensile, which can cover both the all-wheel drive VW Golf and the military Humvee SUV, for example (not to mention the fact that Jeep is generally primarily a brand, not a type of car). Moreover, the classification of cars is generally rather conditional. For example, the four-door Nissan Skyline could have been a family sedan, if not for the engine power and dynamics of a sports car. However, there are a number of signs by which you can understand that this is a crossover, and not something else. Don't you think Mitsubishi Outlander SUV? Here you go.

Now a crossover is considered an independent model of a comfortable station wagon on a passenger chassis, with a load-bearing body, high ground clearance and a predominance of all-wheel drive models in a number of modifications. Or, in the words of The Wall Street Journal, "a car that looks like an SUV, but drives like a passenger car." In fact, a crossover is a car designed for a variety of urban conditions.

The very name "crossover" (from the English cross over - to cross) speaks of its task - to be the first in a modern dynamically developing city, where road infrastructure may not keep up with population growth.

domestic cars

The idea of ​​combining the comfort of a passenger car and off-road qualities in one car occurred to many automakers, especially after the Second World War. Moreover, during the war years, the Gorky Automobile Plant produced the world's first all-wheel drive sedan GAZ-61 based on the legendary Emka (M1).

Then the Soviet industry produced small batches of all-wheel drive "Victory" (GAZ M-72) and "Moskvich" (Moskvich-410) with increased ground clearance based on their serial rear-wheel drive models. They turned out to be very useful on poor-quality Soviet roads, but "childhood diseases" in the conditions of the Soviet administrative-command system turned out to be incurable.

The only time the system did not interfere, and during the years of Kosygin's reforms it helped, was with the release, as many believe, of the world's first Niva crossover (1970s) - then the most comfortable car with a 4x4 wheel arrangement. It was the only Soviet car that was exported to Japan. With minor upgrades, it is still produced today, while foreign manufacturers have gone far ahead.

Foreign cars

The American AMC Eagle (late 1970) can be considered the first foreign crossover, but it used a body from the AMC Concord passenger car. It had increased ground clearance, permanent all-wheel drive with a viscose clutch, which made it possible to redistribute torque between axles and block the center differential during slip. The first full-fledged crossovers abroad are considered to be the Japanese Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV-4.

Also, the SUV concept was strongly influenced by the American heavy all-wheel drive station wagons (the same Jeep Cherokee). In addition, traditional SUVs have followed the path of increasing comfort for the driver and passengers and improving road performance.

What is a crossover and its difference from an SUV and SUV?

First of all, this is a car with a station wagon body and increased ground clearance, which makes it similar to SUVs. The body is load-bearing, which was at one time the main difference between a crossover and an SUV, the designs of which were frame. We can say that the watershed was along the line - "frame - SUV, load-bearing body - SUV." What is an SUV, let's say a little lower, but first we note that the border between a crossover and an SUV is gradually blurring.

The development of technology and the automotive market does not stand still, and, for example, the Mitsubishi Pajero Pinin with a monocoque body belongs to SUVs. The Lada 4 × 4 crossover, which was considered the world's first crossover, that is, the Niva familiar to all of us, was also “sent” there. The reasons were not only the appearance of SUVs with a monocoque body, but also permanent all-wheel drive, because for crossovers it can be switched off, and the main drive axle for crossovers is front, as in an average passenger car. Moreover, there are even crossovers with a 4x2 wheel formula. Perhaps the ascetic interior of the Russian car also said its word. Ironically, it was the Niva that at the time of its creation was the most comfortable all-wheel drive station wagon in the world and actually gave rise to this class. But the SsangYong Actyon with a liftback body is considered a crossover, although it has a frame structure and is not a station wagon. "Guilty" city purpose of the car.

We basically decided on the design, then we can proceed to the appointment. The crossover is designed for those who use all city roads, but in theory it can also go off-road. It makes no sense to expect “jeeper” behavior in the mud from a crossover, but at least it has much less chance of getting stuck than an urban sedan. But the SUV is happy to ride through the mud, but for the city it is not economical enough, and for high-speed mode it is not stable enough on the highway.

What is a "SUV"? In general, this is not a type of car, but a nickname for an insufficiently “off-road” car with a claim to “jeepers”. Both an SUV (especially with low-profile tires) and a crossover can fall into this classification. So called even Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ford Explorer. Sometimes even a Hummer with “urban” bells and whistles can be called that. What the Hammer has in common with SUVs is unknown, but what is, is. On the other hand, the Renault Sandero Stepway is also called an SUV, although it is more of an urban hatchback with "extended powers", such as increased ground clearance. This model does not have all-wheel drive yet.

Examples of representatives of crossovers

Classic modern crossovers are such cars as: Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Kia Sorento, Hyundai Creta, Skoda Yeti, Renault Duster, Hyundai ix35, Chery Tiggo, BMW X3, Mitsubishi ASX, Subaru Forester, Nissan Qashqai, Ford Kuga, Mitsubishi Outlander, Honda Pilot, Bentley Bentayga, Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Sport, etc.

Most Popular

The most popular crossovers in the world and Russia are the Japanese pioneers of the crossover workshop - Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, as well as their eternal competitor Nissan X-Trail. Kia cars also have a lot of fans, especially in Russia, where Sportage and Sorento are respected, but the full-size Mohave has not yet found its admirers. On the other hand, manufacturers from China are establishing themselves both on the world and on the Russian market. Chinese Haval H6 is one of the most popular crossovers in the world.

The products of Volkswagen AG are highly respected in the post-Soviet space - especially the Volkswagen Touareg, Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne, built on a common platform.

Most affordable

Renault Duster can be considered the cheapest crossover in Russia, at the beginning of sales it cost less than half a million rubles, and now it costs from 619,000 and even in the most expensive configuration it costs less than a million. Ford Ecosport, which is sold at a price of 890,000 rubles, has not gone so far from it. Numerous Chinese are moving further and further away from the ultra-budget segment to simply economical ones, but they are also worth paying attention to - Lifan X60 can be purchased from 590,000 rubles.

For patriots, the choice is not so great - classic Russian-designed crossovers are not yet available. However, from 600 to 800 thousand rubles can be paid without regret for Lada x-Ray (front-wheel drive model, which is closer to ordinary cars) or Chevrolet Niva with claims to true "off-road". There is also a choice - Vortex Tiggo, this is a Russian brand and Russian assembly, but the constructive origin of the car is from China.

The most reliable

It is believed that these are cars made in Japan and South Korea. However, it should be remembered that a car is different for a car, and different generations of the same model may have diametrically opposed characteristics. According to Russian motorists, Renault Duster, Nissan Juke and Nissan Qashqai get the highest marks. In addition, these cars are also inexpensive and consume little fuel. The "Germans" are still respected - Mercedes M and GL-series, BMW X-series, and the VW-Audi-Porsche trio. There are few negative reviews about Skoda cars.

The availability of spare parts is also important. Renault and Nissan treat this issue more carefully than others.

The most economical

Small fuel consumption is characteristic of small cars, but not only. For the same Renault Duster, Nissan Juke and Nissan Qashqai, the average fuel consumption does not exceed 7 liters per 100 km. But perhaps the most economical one can be called the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4, with a diesel-electric hybrid power plant. Its fuel consumption does not exceed 4 liters per 100 kilometers, and it can be charged both from the generator and from the network. One "but" - in Russia it is not sold, like most "hybrids".

Conclusion

A crossover is a great choice for those who want to feel great behind the wheel of their car on any road. The main thing is to remember that “on any road” is not “off-road”.

The word "crossover" comes from the abbreviation CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle), in the US this abbreviation means a cross-country vehicle. For the first time, the well-known American company Chrysler began to use the word "crossover" in 1987 after it bought AMC and, along with it, the well-known Jeep brand.

"Crossover" as a full-fledged term, automakers began to actively use only after 3 years, and then in relation to cars that are currently called SUVs.

This was due to the fact that until the early 2000s, all cars for daily driving around the city were built on the basis of passenger platforms, and cargo platforms served as 4 × 4 all-wheel drive vehicles. At the beginning of the 2000s, a number of reforms of the international car market were initiated, after which, in fact, the term “crossover”, familiar to us, appeared, which implied new standards.

The first modern crossover came off the assembly line in 1994, it was the Japanese Toyota RAV4, a year later the Honda CR-V was born.

Appearance and features. What does a crossover look like?

A crossover is a cross-country vehicle that incorporates all the best from an SUV, minivan and hatchback. It combines a wide variety of design innovations and developments. These machines, as a rule, have four-wheel drive, a high seating position, and a large clearance. The crossover has the economy of a passenger car and the cross-country ability of an SUV. However, despite the increased cross-country ability, heavy obstacles are still too tough for him.

Why a crossover?

Some crossovers are similar power plants with sedans and station wagons. But with all this, they differ significantly from their passenger counterparts, including fuel consumption. Also a disadvantage, although controversial, is the large size of the car. But all the disadvantages are at times overlapped by the advantages of the machine. The SUV, as the crossover is also called, although not a full-fledged SUV, overcomes the bumps and bumps typical of domestic roads with ease. Given the known state of our roads, the crossover is perhaps the most sought-after option.

A few words about choosing a crossover

A crossover is a car that combines the advantages of an SUV and a simple passenger car. It is perfect for people who live in the countryside and constantly travel to the city, as well as those who want to forget about problematic sections of the road. This is the perfect car for the middle class.

Some useful tips to help you choose the perfect crossover model for you:

1. Before buying a car, clearly define the budget, including the associated costs that will be associated with the purchase (insurance, possible maintenance of a used car, etc.).
2. Check with the manufacturer. It is very important to weigh all the advantages and disadvantages of a particular brand, so take your time and analyze all the options available to you.
3. Try to choose a model with the maximum width of the wheels, this is an important factor in ensuring the most efficient ride over rough terrain.
4. When buying, pay attention to the ride height. The higher the bottom of the car above the obstacle, the greater the chance that you will not hook it.
5. A great plus is the plug-in all-wheel drive, it will help you save a lot on fuel consumption.
6. If you have a family and children, pay attention to the size of the luggage compartment and cabin, as well as comfort in general.
7. And last but not least, look at the design and external “bells and whistles”, since the crossover is not a convertible and you can save a little on elegance.

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The type of car is a crossover, it is also a SUV - what kind of car is it?

Almost every well-known automaker is trying to include this type of car in its lineup. However, there is no single definition of what a crossover is. If everything is clear with or sedans, then today a crossover is called a variety of types of cars, it is enough, for example, to compare models such as Skoda Fabia Scout, Renault Sandero Stepway, Nissan Juke - they all belong to this type of car:

• Scoda Fabia Scout and Renault Sandero Stepway are off-road versions of hatchbacks, the so-called pseudo-crossovers;
• The Nissan Juke is a mini crossover based on the Nissan Micra hatchback platform.

That is, in simple terms, a crossover is a modified version of a hatchback, station wagon or minivan, adapted for driving not only in the city, but also on light off-road.

While you shouldn't confuse a crossover with an SUV, even an all-wheel-drive crossover won't be able to take the routes that an SUV can handle without problems.

According to the American classification, crossovers are classified as CUV - Crossover Utility Vehicle, which translates as a cross-country vehicle. This is the middle link between SUVs and hatchbacks. There is also an SUV class - Sport Utility Vehicle, which can include both crossovers and SUVs. For example, the bestseller Renault Duster is a compact crossover SUV, and belongs to the SUV class, that is, it can give odds to any urban crossover.

You can delve into various classifications and terms for a long time. We’d better try to point out the main differences between crossovers and SUVs, so that you can easily deal with this issue.

The SUV must have:

• four-wheel drive, downshift, center differential;
• high ground clearance - at least 200 millimeters;
• frame structure - the frame carrier system is the main feature of an SUV, and the body and all the main units are already attached to this frame;
• reinforced suspension, durable shock absorbers, adapted for difficult off-road conditions.

You can also call the increased size of the body, but this is not a prerequisite - although the UAZ-Patriot belongs to, while having a relatively modest size. UAZ, Nissan Patrol, Mitsubishi Pajero, American Hummer all-terrain vehicle - these are samples of real off-road vehicles.

Now let's take a look at them

Four-wheel drive - is present in some models, while it is not permanent. A crossover is a city car and all-wheel drive in the city is not particularly needed. If there is four-wheel drive, then there may be no reduction gear or center differential, that is, an additional axle can be used only for a short period of time.

More than hatchbacks, the average value is up to 20 millimeters, with such a clearance, you need to take into account the geometry of the body, and if you can still drive along the curbs, then you can very easily “sit on your belly” on the road, because the ramp angle is not enough to drive on the hills and take the climbs.

In such cars, it is mainly not a frame structure that is used, but a load-bearing body - that is, the body either performs the function of a frame or is tightly connected to it. It is clear that such a design is ideal for the city, but you can’t go far on a frameless off-road.

Reinforced suspension - sure, it's stronger than sedans or hatchbacks, but short suspension travel isn't good for off-road use. Among drivers, there is such a thing as diagonal hanging - this is when, when driving over bumps, one wheel can hang in the air. The Jeep has enough suspension travel to deal with this situation, while the crossover will have to be pulled with a cable.

The most famous representatives: Toyota RAV4, Mercedes GLK-class, Volkswagen Tiguan, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Qashqai, Opel Mokka, Skoda Yeti.

You can divide them according to various criteria, but they are usually divided into types depending on size:

• mini;
• compact;
• medium-sized;
• full size.

Minis are very common in cities today, because they are ideal for driving through narrow streets, and besides, their cost is not so prohibitive, so many buyers choose them to be able to travel on equipped autobahns and occasionally go off-road.

Nissan Juke, Volkswagen Cross Polo, Opel Mokka, Renault Sandero Stepway, Lada Kalina Cross are all prime examples of mini crossovers.

Chery Tiggo, KIA Sportage, Audi Q3, Subaru Forester, Renault Duster are compact crossovers.

Mercedes M-class, KIA Sorento, VW Touareg - mid-size.

Toyota Highlander, Mazda CX-9 - full size.

You can also often hear the name "SUV". SUVs are usually called front-wheel drive crossovers.

Advantages and disadvantages

Despite the fact that this type of car only slightly resembles an SUV, they are very popular. How can this be explained? First of all, love for everything powerful. It is not for nothing that the RAV fourth or the Nissan Beetle are in such demand among women - such cars will undoubtedly stand out among compact hatchbacks and prestigious sedans. And now, when China has come to grips with the production of crossovers, it will be difficult to stop the influx of cheap cars in this category (and no one cares that some Lifan X-60 cannot even drive up a hill that a Chevy Niva or Duster can take without difficulty ).

The pluses include a spacious interior, the ability to drive through curbs without fear of damaging the bottom. On light off-road, you need to drive carefully, especially in winter, when the roads are covered with snow - you can not calculate your strength and get very deeply bogged down.

The disadvantages of these cars include increased fuel consumption, although if you take mini and compact, they consume about the same amount as class B cars. Well, don't forget that