Crossover Vs. SUV: Which One Fits Your Needs?

What Is an SUV?

The modern SUV, which stands for Sport Utility Vehicle, originated as a rugged, off-road-capable vehicle built on a truck platform. Originally engineered for military and industrial use, these vehicles quickly garnered the attention of suburban families for their massive interiors, truck-like durability and performance, and all-weather traction. 

Traditional SUVs, like trucks, employ body-on-frame construction, meaning the body is mounted on a sturdy steel frame. This design offers several advantages over the unibody crossover, including exceptional strength, durability, and off-road capabilities. With many featuring powerful engines and drivetrains, standard Four Wheel Drive systems, and truck-like styling, SUVs are the ultimate compromise between a full-size pickup and a family-hauling wagon. 

If you’re looking for maximum headroom, spacious interiors and cargo areas, and respectable towing capacity, an SUV may be the right choice for you.

What Is a Crossover (CUV)?

Next, a Crossover Utility Vehicle, or a CUV, blends the functionality of an SUV with the smooth on-road performance and fuel efficiency of a passenger car. First gaining traction in the early 2000s, CUVs rose to popularity due to their lighter weight, more fuel-efficient powertrains, and car-like ride quality. Though built primarily on unibody frames, crossovers still prioritize cargo space and versatility, making them an ideal choice for those who won't tow or haul heavy cargo but enjoy the added capacity. 

Whereas most SUVs are Rear Wheel Drive or Four Wheel Drive, crossovers tend to be All Wheel Drive or Front Wheel Drive, like passenger sedans. This fact, paired with the smaller size and nimbler handling of CUVs, makes them easy to drive and comfortable, especially in urban environments. 

If you’re looking for cargo space and versatility without high fuel costs or heft, consider a crossover.

Crossover vs. SUV: At a Glance

Before we dig deeper into the specific differences between these two vehicle classes, check out the comparison table below for the most notable variances between CUVs and SUVs.

Crossover vs. SUV: Size & Fuel Economy

One of the most immediately apparent differences between crossovers and SUVs is their size. This difference affects numerous functional factors, including cargo capacity, maneuverability, and fuel economy. 

SUVs tend to be larger and heavier overall, with beefier chassis, longer wheelbases, and wider profiles. In most cases, this means more spacious and roomy interiors, extra cargo capacity, and often the addition of a third row seat, boosting passenger count to as many as nine. 

Bigger isn’t always better, however. Crossovers are more compact and easier to maneuver, making them an ideal choice for urban dwellers or those who frequently navigate tight parking lots and garages. While crossovers can’t typically match the interior capacity of an SUV, options like fold-flat seating and spacious rear hatches make them far more capable than comparable sedans. 

Another impact of size is ride height. Most SUVs sit higher off the ground, similar to a full-size truck. While excellent for off-road performance and visibility, this can be a shortcoming for younger children or those with limited mobility. 

Lastly, sizing directly impacts fuel economy. The heavier a vehicle is, the more potent an engine it needs to power it. Unfortunately, this typically reflects poorly on fuel economy, as a heavier chassis and larger engine don’t bode well for efficiency. By contrast, crossovers, with their lighter chassis and smaller size, typically feature fuel-efficient, small-displacement engines for a solid blend of power and economy.

Crossover vs. SUV: Design

At a glance, crossovers and SUVs share several design cues, including tall profiles, roomy interiors, and sporty exteriors. However, one look beneath the surface exposed their differences. 

Most SUVs feature a body-on-frame platform—the same design employed by pickup trucks. This construction, which involves mounting the body on top of a sturdy steel frame, provides exceptional durability and strength. It’s one of the main reasons why SUVs excel at off-road use, towing, and other demanding tasks. 

SUVs typically favor ruggedness over refinement—or at least, prioritize both equally. Beefier suspension components, large powerplants, and truck-like design make for a rugged and capable vehicle. 

Alternatively, crossovers favor comfort over capabilities. CUVs utilize a unibody design, where the frame and body are manufactured as a single component, resulting in low weight, solid rigidity, and improved fuel economy. It’s for these reasons that crossovers tend to perform more similarly to sedans, with soft, compliant rides and responsive handling. 

If an SUV is a 300-pound offensive lineman, a CUV is a slender, agile running back.

Crossover vs. SUV: Pricing

Cost is a significant factor for many buyers—and for good reason. In most cases, a new car is the second-largest purchase a person can make, aside from a home. 

Crossovers generally have lower starting MSRPs than SUVs. Their car-based, unibody platforms are easier and less expensive to manufacture, while their smaller size and compact engines keep production costs down. Crossovers are typically the more affordable option, offering a range of features and amenities at competitive prices. 

On the other hand, SUVs tend to have higher MSRPs, especially as you upgrade to larger, more capable offerings. Bigger engines, body-on-frame chassis, and more equipment mean a heftier price to manufacture, and a heftier price to purchase. That said, many buy SUVs as a long-term investment to haul around kids, pets, and cargo. They’re altogether more capable and versatile, making consumers less likely to feel the need to upgrade down the road.

Crossover vs. SUV: Which Is Right for You?

With the main differences between SUVs and CUVs broken down, it’s time to answer the hard-hitting question—which one is right for you? While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, specific consumers will undoubtedly prefer one over the other. 

At RealTruck, we recommend choosing a crossover if you want a vehicle that’s compact, easy to drive, and fuel-efficient. These perfect daily drivers are far more capable than conventional sedans and coupes while retaining the car-like drivability and functionality that commuters and urban dwellers crave. They’re also more budget-friendly and pack plenty of amenities to satisfy most drivers. If you value things like fuel economy, parking convenience, and effortless maneuverability, a CUV may be your best bet. 

Alternatively, an SUV may be better suited for those who need serious cargo capacity, strength, and rugged off-road capabilities. Whether you’re cruising on a road trip, trekking down a trail, or hauling a boat to the lake, SUVs offer the size and power to do so, and do it well. 

With all that being said, today’s automotive offerings tend to blur the lines between vehicle classes. Several full-size SUVs offer solid efficiency and handling characteristics, while others pack capable all-wheel-drive systems and rugged aesthetics. Before heading to the dealership, carefully consider your routine, needs, and budget, as these will likely be the key factors in your purchase decision.

The Best SUV

Still leaning toward a full-size SUV? Whether you’re planning family road trips, towing a camper to the lake, or prefer the beefy size and V8 grumble, the SUV market offers no shortage of capable and spacious options. To learn more about the best SUVs on the market, check out our guide to the top SUV picks for families and road trips.

Shop Accessories for Your New SUV or CUV

Regardless of the vehicle or class you choose, RealTruck carries all the products and accessories you need to make it your own. From heavy-duty all-weather floor liners to vent visors, roof racks, and cargo liners, we have everything you’ll need to make an already functional vehicle all the better—inside and out.