The vast automotive industry is divided into several segments. Each segment fully addresses the needs and desires of customers from all over the world in different categories. Some of the automotive types include:
- SUVs;
- Sedans;
- Hatchbacks;
- Coupes;
- Crossovers.
What Are Crossovers?
Crossover is a relatively new concept in the world of automobiles. These vehicles are built on the same platform as passenger vehicles. It is, however, a novel concept, as SUVs typically share platforms with pickup trucks.
Thus, crossovers are also known as car-based SUVs because they have the elevated ride height of SUVs alongside the comfort of passenger cars.
The global demand for crossovers is on the rise. The below chart provides a good idea of the number of crossovers sold during the past few months.
Advantages Of Crossovers
Some of the advantages of crossovers are as follows:
- Increased Ride Height
Passenger cars have relatively low ride heights. This might be easier for older people as getting in and out of such vehicles is easier. However, most people, including youngsters, prefer the higher ride height of SUVs.
As crossovers have elevated heights, they are in high demand and snatching a significant market share from passenger cars.
- Road Presence
Due to their relatively larger bodies, crossovers benefit from extra road presence.
- More Storage Space
Crossover vehicles have more storage space than passenger vehicles. Furthermore, the rear seats of these crossovers are typically foldable, providing ample storage space.
- Reasonable price
One of the most significant advantages of purchasing a crossover over an SUV is that they cost a fraction of the price while providing a comparable experience.
Crossovers are thus a much better value for money than cars and SUVs because they combine the best of both categories and offer it to car enthusiasts who want to own an SUV but can't afford one.
- Better Fuel Mileage Than SUVs
Because crossovers have smaller engines than SUVs, they consume less fuel. Consider the KIA Sportage, a terrific crossover with a 2.0-liter MPI engine. As a result, the vehicle's fuel consumption averages 9.2 liters per 100 kilometers.
The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, on the other hand, has a fuel average of 11.3 liters per 100 km due to its 4.0-liter gas-guzzling engine.
Disadvantages Of Crossovers
Crossovers also have a few disadvantages. Here are a few of them:
- Less powerful
While crossovers try to follow the design language of SUVs, they are bound in terms of output and performance.
This is predominantly because the engines of these vehicles are less powerful.
- Limited off-roading capabilities
The lack of 4WD mode on the crossovers means that they are just elevated passenger cars with little off-roading capabilities.
- Poor fuel average than cars
Crossovers are higher than cars. This means that they have a poor drag coefficient, resulting in a relatively poor fuel average than cars.
- Difficult accessibility
Because of their elevated height, crossovers are typically more challenging to enter. This is especially difficult for the elderly, who often suffer from backaches and other health issues such as joint and knee pain.
Final Verdict
The crossover market is thriving. This is because many SUV fans regard them as less expensive alternatives that may not provide all of the benefits of SUVs but do offer several of them.
