The Benefits of Buying A Crossover

Crossovers — loosely described as vehicles that combine SUV styling with sedan traits, such as a car-like ride — are rapidly dominating the market because many people find them appealing. Browse any auto magazine, and you’ll likely find at least an article or two about the overwhelming popularity of crossovers. Here are some major reasons why crossovers can be your best choice for a car.

New Style

Crossovers are vehicles that have been styled to resemble sport-utility vehicles but are cheaper and more fuel-efficient. The earliest crossovers sprang up due to a demand for SUVs. Due to the way crossovers are perceived by the car-buying public, automakers market the vehicles to customers in two ways: as a fashionable form of wagons or as socially acceptable downgrades from full-size or luxury SUVs. The styling cues of these vehicles are marketed as key selling points.

Greater Efficiency

In an effort to attract customers, automakers are making these smaller, lighter vehicles more fuel-efficient than minivans and full-size SUVs. The fuel economy of crossovers is improving but still is not much to boast about, at least compared to family sedans. Traditional SUV owners may find some consolation in lower gas costs.

Less Expensive

Crossovers are less expensive to manufacture than SUVs because unibodies are cheaper to produce than body-on-frame vehicles. Crossover manufacturers offer consumers a wide range of models priced affordably, and most crossovers allow for the option of including just the features and extras buyers need. Crossovers also tend to share parts with other vehicles in a manufacturer’s lineup, so they don’t need many interior accessories.

More Choices

Manufacturers have sought to recover from falling SUV sales by making their crossovers increasingly capable and attractive. The new models also provide many minivan-like amenities that appeal to both busy parents and media-savvy kids, and they offer third-row seating.

Third-Row Seating

Manufacturers that once produced minivans have moved their focus to the ever-larger and more versatile crossover segment. The main perk of a minivan—lots of comfortable seating that could fold flat to accommodate cargo—is now replicated in many crossovers. Despite the extra effort required, families enjoying the benefits of this feature are still a loyal customer base for crossover manufacturers.