NADA identifies increased interest in crossovers
The automotive information site NADAguides.com has seen a significant up tick in consumer interest towards crossovers or, if you prefer, CUVs. Beginning in January and ending at the end of August of this year, NADA claims to have seen a 37 percent increase in research traffic for CUVs and other smaller utility vehicles.
The NADA list of the most researched vehicles is:
1. Toyota RAV4
2. Ford Escape
3. Toyota Highlander
4. Saturn VUE
5. Nissan Murano
6. Dodge Caliber
However, when we think of CUVs, we envision vehicles like the Enclave (pictured), the Ford Freestyle and other middle ground, five-doors of that ilk. Those vehicles are new designs, specifically geared towards consumers stepping out of their SUVs and into a smaller, yet still practical, means of transportation. The RAV4, Escape, VUE and Murano, don't strike us as the revolutionary hope that crossovers are perceived to be. We've always considered them cute 'utes or soft-roaders.
Maybe the definition of crossover is too broadly defined, with anything falling in between an Accord and an Expedition adopting the moniker.
The Dodge Caliber, which NADA identifies as the most researched model in August, is supposedly a replacement for the compact Neon. But as anyone who's seen or driven a Caliber can attest, it is hardly compact. The amount of research obviously shows that Dodge has a hit on their hands, but is it really a crossover, or just another wagon?
We'd like your thoughts on the crossover market and what you believe a crossover is defined as. The 'comments' sections is open and your two pence are desired.
[Source: The Auto Channel]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Richard L. Benner, Jr. 8:30AM (10/04/2006)
I own a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica AWD. I think of IT as a crossover vehicle. The Dodge Caliber/Jeep Compass and all the other smaller vehicles are just that, smaller vehicles. I do not consider them as a crossover. A crossover (in my opinion) is a large vehicle that is taking the place of a SUV or even a mini van. It has almost as much room in them and have a V-6/V-8 engine. It is a COMPROMISE VEHICLE , that is, it is NOT and SUV but not a Minivan (excuse the phrase but a Soccer Mom Vehicle/Minivan). I know many women who say they would not drive a Minivan because of the Soccer Mom mentality (not that there is anything wrong with being a Soccer Mom). They drive large SUV's or Cross Over Vehicles such as the Pacifica or the Highlander or Murano.
My Humble Opinion
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David 8:39AM (10/04/2006)
I've always thought of SUVs as blown up station wagons, or as less space efficient minivans. CUVs strike me as tall station wagons or, less space efficient minivans.
I think if it's built on a car platform, is a box from the B pillar back, taller than a car with a higher driving position, it's a crossover.
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CJ 8:39AM (10/04/2006)
Some of these smaller CUV should be called what they really are.... hatchbacks!
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Steve 8:58AM (10/04/2006)
They are all really just station wagons or hatchbacks of some form. Some just ride higher than others, but they all serve the same purpose.
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rwdmtparkingonly 9:19AM (10/04/2006)
I have a great idea for a crossover. Take the rear wheel drive from a car like a Miata or Sky, and combine it with the roof and rear seat from a car like a tC or Civic coupe. That would be an excellent crossover between those two kinds of cars.
The Mustang and RX-8 fit this bill, but I want a high revving or turbo 4, not an outdated V6 or a rotary engine with reliability issues.
As for the SUV/car thing, Automobile News has gone on about it with length, but I won’t cite their articles because the bastards require registration or charge for everything.
If it’s taller than a traditional wagon (some European companies, including Dodge, still make them if you need a reference), but the engine is transverse and the frame isn’t separate then it’s probably a “crossover” between a station wagon and an SUV.
Things like the X5, M-Class, and Cayenne do complicate this definition with longitudinal engines and higher ground clearance, but unibody car-related platforms and independent rear suspensions.
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Accordsforall 9:24AM (10/04/2006)
I want some.. concrete evidence from Ford or GM that the CUV is different than the SUV. I want to know exactly what frame its on.. AND WHY ITS JACKED THE F UP.
Put that sucker down about 1' and see if it sells.
Bottom line.. its still has SUV like height. It still does SUV thinks like block the road, have 3 rows of seats and it still rides higher than it ever should.
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zaz 9:34AM (10/04/2006)
For Ford:
Ford Escape and bigger = SUV's
Ford Edge and Freestyle = Crossover's
Ford Free Star= Mini Van
Ford Focus Wagon = Station Wagon
As for your list:
1. Toyota RAV4 - SUV
2. Ford Escape - SUV
3. Toyota Highlander -SUV
4. Saturn VUE -SUV, but close call CUV
5. Nissan Murano - CUV
6. Dodge Caliber - Car
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Corey 9:49AM (10/04/2006)
It's whatever the marketing folks decide to spin that day; see BMW X5 aka "Sports Activity Vehicle"
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rwdmtparkingonly 9:50AM (10/04/2006)
To actually know what I'm talking about I looked up the car's heights. The Muarano and Highlander are almost the same height (2 inches), so it's pretty funny to say one is a SUV and one isn't just because one has more "truck like" styling. The Caliber is regular car height, so hatchback is more appropriate despite the "rugged" styling.
http://autos.msn.com/research/compare/default.aspx?c=0&n=3&i=0&tb=0&ph1=t0&ph2=t0&dt=1&v=t102309&v=t102547&v=t101880
I couldn't add them to the above comparison, but a 3-series wagon is 55 in tall and an explorer is 72 in.
Transverse engines and car based platforms are the best determinants of what fits in this recently made up class.
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Leo 5:02PM (10/10/2006)
IMO,
although the Lexus RX has always been ther as the first cross-over utilty vehicle, I think it was the Nissan Murrano that really started the crase of CUVs, as it was much more luxurious and confortable than the Rav4s and such.
but this new Buick enclave pictured is the best of the GM CUVs coming out. The SRX is probablybetter in handling, but it is not a looker like this Buick is.
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Tal D 10:02AM (10/04/2006)
I'm glad to read that there is more interest in smaller vehicles.Especially the smaller CUVs.
The statement, " The RAV4, Escape, VUE,and Murano, don't strike us as the revolutionary hope that crossovers are percieved to be.We've always considered them cute 'utes or soft-roaders." I guess it's the term soft-roaders that makes me wonder if this means regular paved city street/highway/interstate type roads that these vehicles were designed to travel on; then I wonder if SUV's were designed to be off- road/backwoods travelers as well as soft-roads then what percent of SUV's actually are used for off-road/backwoods excursions? In my neck of the woods I would guess the percentage is extremely low. Most of my neighbors that own SUVs(there are quite a few %wise), own them "just in case we need it during bad weather".This makes no sense to me. We rarely get any snow;if we do it is on the ground for no more than 2days max.(there was a rare 18" snow storm 30+ yrs ago). We have had hurricane affect the area also. The area is rather hilly and I have made it up the steepest with snow on the road in my FWD only vehicle.
I guess my point is regular sedans and soft-road CUVs where the weather is not severe should be perfectly suited for most all occasion and road conditions. Owners that truly need a real SUV would be the serious off-road enthusiast ,those that live in regions of severe weather, those that tow some type boat/trailer and those that use them for working purposes9constuction,etc). But we live in the USA and we can own and drive any type vehicle we please and don't need a reason. Wait!! There's the safety factor. Bigger the better for safety, right? Whose safety? You hit someone with a large SUV , you will more than likely survive. What about the occupants of the other vehicle? Common sense says the bigger will do more damage to the smaller, don't you think?
Less Fuel consumption should be another major benefit when comparing SUVs and CUVs. Good for the consumers. Maybe the high fuel costs are getting prospective buyers to be more realistic about what type vehicle they truly need. But who knows, gasoline is hovering around the $2.00 mark in my area so SUV purchases may not be so out of the question.
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Sam 8:29PM (10/04/2006)
This could go on forever... clearly the definitions of CUVs and SUVs are subjective... I'd just go by what the company calls it's car. Also you should not what the article above actually said: "NADA claims to have seen a 37 percent increase in research traffic for CUVs and other smaller utility vehicles." ... and other smaller utlity vehicles. Which would include the entire list.
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Michael Karesh 10:28AM (10/04/2006)
This debate has been going on ever since Chrysler launched the Pacifica as a crossover.
The biggest difference between an SUV and a crossover might be the amount of air between the top of the tire and the wheel opening. If the body fits tightly around the wheels, it's a crossover.
My site has seen strong interest in these vehicles from the beginning. But bear in mind that the more functional a vehicle is, the more likely people are to research its price. People are interested in reading reviews of sports cars, but aren't very interested in what they cost. Either they don't plan to actually buy a sports car, or they know exactly which one they want so price doesn't matter.
The list of the 40 most researched models on my site:
http://www.truedelta.com/popular.php
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Corey W. 11:56AM (10/04/2006)
I sort of agree with the other Corey above:
IMO, there is only two basic classes of vehicle, TRUCK and CAR. If you're based off a truck platform, your a TRUCK, everything else is a CAR. You can get as detailed as you want, hatchback, sedan, coupe, wagon, sports....etc. It's still a CAR. Now if you're on your own distinct platform that gives equal or substantial functionality of both car and truck, your a HYBRID.
An example of "equal" or "substantial" would be... let say an El Camino...it can only be considered a CAR, although it has a pickup truck bed, it's not substantial enough to be consider a HYBRID. Same is the case with the X3 and X5, they are CARS with an offroad look.
All that crap in between, SUV, CUV, Offroad, Crossover.... is all MARKETING!!
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Ryan 11:54AM (10/04/2006)
If the Hyundai Azera was a CUV this would be it.
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Ryan 11:56AM (10/04/2006)
"12. This debate has been going on ever since Chrysler launched the Pacifica as a crossover."
-Off topic,
Honest opinion, my parter and I have a 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander would you guys consider that a CUV or SUV, a lot of people think it is a Subaru.
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hipkid 9:21PM (10/12/2006)
marketing is hilarious ... before the aspen, chrysler's site for the pacifica said "the suv - completely reimagined," but now the aspen is "the first ever chrysler suv" ... when the crossover boom started, ford's corporate website described ford as "leading the crossover market" claiming the escape as "america's best selling crossover vehicle" while AT THE SAME TIME, the 2005 escape billboards said "america's best selling small suv is now 100% suv." hilarious.
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infinihertz 12:44PM (10/04/2006)
I always thought of it as SUVs being a bit more rugged and able to tow things, with CUVs being sportier and (usually) more fuel efficient. However, the obvious counter-example is the Ford Edge being a CUV, while the Mazda CX-7 is (according to Mazda) an SUV, despite being smaller than the Edge and far sportier. And I doubt the CX-7 can tow much.
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Marc 3:57PM (10/04/2006)
It's really basic, SUV's are based off of trucks, CUV's off of cars.
Therefore (just as examples)
Toyota
Rav4-CUV
Highlander-CUV
4Runner-SUV
FJ-SUV
Ford
Escape-CUV
Freestyle-CUV
Edge-CUV
Explorer-SUV
Size is not the issue. CUV's can be small, mid-size, or even large (Benz GL, Audi Q7) SUV's can likewise be any size, from a Wrangler to a Suburban.
The only issue should be when a CUV is too wagon like. I drive a Matrix, sometimes calling it a CUV, but it's really a wagon.
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Glenn Laycock 2:28AM (10/05/2006)
My sister bought the Caliber and absolutely loves it.
I was thinking it was a wagon orginally, but once you drive it; no question it is very SUV in what it wants to be. Sits up in the air -- which it does not look like it does from the outside. Has a very practical interior. An boy do the kids crawl all over the inside of that vehicle. The "feel" seems SUV-like; very solid, great safety features like that knee airbag. Well done.
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