UsedCarNews.com
May 6, 2019
Crossovers Sell, But What Exactly Are They? By Ted Craig
Rush - Dated Material
Crossovers have been one of the most popular segments for more than a decade, but they are also one of the hardest to deine. In the beginning, crossovers were SUV bodies on car frames. They ofered better fuel eiciency and a smoother ride while sacriicing some of-road capabilities. Today, manufacturers label a wide array of vehicles as crossovers. The category now includes everything from traditional CUVs to elevated hatchbacks. Some carmakers even label as crossovers what most called station wagons in the past. Ivan Drury, senior manager of industry analysis at Edmunds, said his irm uses factors such as ride height and trade-in data to categorize a vehicle as a crossover. Consumers mainly look for all-wheel or four-wheel drive and what they con- ALL IN THE FAMILY: Crossovers have evolved from the AMC Eagle, top left, to one of the hottest segments, but they remain hard to define. The Audi Q4, top right, is more of a hatchback. Ford calls the Explorer, bottom left, an SUV. But crossovers are so hot, even Porsche is getting in the game. sider good storage capacity. Crossovers are as popuMotors in the ‘70s, when this growth. Today, some ride and seniors appreciate lar with used-car buyers as prices. the company tried to maxi- crossovers actually get bet- the ability to easily get in But their loyalty is disthey are on the new side. Black Book reports cross- persed, said George Hofer, mize its investment in the ter gas mileage than sedans. and out of them. For the most part, Drury Still, like any market segover prices have held steady professor emeritus at Vir- Hornet platform by putting this year despite a surge of ginia Commonwealth Uni- a Jeep body atop the car said, they still lag in fuel ef- ment, individual versions frame. The project evolved iciency. of-lease inventory, indicat- versity. of crossovers face risks. The Will crossovers collapse biggest now is oversaturaNo one vehicle leads the into the Eagle, which used ing strong demand. like the once mighty mini- tion, as each manufacturer, the Concord platform. Crossover buyers prove segment. The development contin- van? Hofer doubts it. Hofer attributes this to very loyal, Drury said. They from economy to luxury, “I don’t see where these rank among the top repeat the slow evolution of the ued in bursts and some early versions, such as the Pon- vehicles become dated,” he comes out with a crossover. crossover. buyers. “More choices, more Unlike other new seg- tiac Aztek and the Chrysler said. “They’re not unique Crossover buyers also will problems,” Drury said. enough.” pay more for their vehicles, ments, like muscle cars Paciica, were awkward. Again, however, the lack They appeal to a wide But these types of vehicles Drury said. Manufacturers or minivans, there was no often ind themselves ofer- breakthrough leader that broke out in the last decade range of consumers, as well. of clear deinition helps. “If it sells, you can call it and grew to one of the larg- Men like the rugged look, ing more and more option everybody else followed. women like the sense of whatever you want,” Drury Hofer said the irst cross- est segments by 2006. packages to meet demand High gas prices helped safety provided by the high said. even as they increase the over came from American