Car buyer tastes have shifted, apparently, for good. Practicality, efficiency, and price are every bit as important to the modern consumer as ever, but people just don’t seem to want a low-down driving position anymore. That rules out the once-favorite sedan. In its place, the nebulous “crossover” has risen to power.
Just what is a crossover? For a time, one could at least separate a crossover from an SUV by looking at its platform. SUV meant body-on-frame architecture (durability, ruggedness) and crossover meant unibody platform (lighter, more agile). Beyond that distinction, anything with a minimal amount of extra ride height compared to a sedan or hatchback could be considered a crossover. But wait; now even the term “crossover,” has been dirtied, likely from overuse. Instead, automakers have taken to calling their high-riding models “SUVs,” regardless of construction.
Confused? You’re not alone. So let’s forget the labels for now and return to our initial observation. Consumers want a higher driving position, and just about every automaker has a solution.