So what's the point of crossover vehicles again?

[Genx87]

or Minivan

I'd go with this. Minivans are awful.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Stability control doesn't fix body roll/lean or damping. As far as performance goes...a performance station wagon will destroy a crossover in handling.

I don't have anything against crossovers...I've owned several in the past (Highlander & Equinox). But *most* of them are by no means an enthralling drive or anything close to a performance machine.

Performance station wagon? I thought you were talking about minivans? ESC and certain AWD systems(ie. Acura's SH-AWD) definitely improve handling and reduce the possibility of a rollover.

And I'll take a BMX X5, Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q5 or Acura MDX over it's station wagon equivalent.

 

[Sluggo]

Shows how little you know:
Video of the Touareg Offroading in the Moab.

The Touareg and Cayenne share the same platform.

Awesome, here is a Crown Vic off-roading

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFwPXEeJ3aI

 

[Capt Caveman]

Awesome, here is a Crown Vic off-roading

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFwPXEeJ3aI

LOL. That's awesome. They're just hanging out and here comes this dog followed by a Crown Vic up the rockface.

 

[vi edit]

Performance station wagon? I thought you were talking about minivans? ESC and certain AWD systems(ie. Acura's SH-AWD) definitely improve handling and reduce the possibility of a rollover.

And I'll take a BMX X5, Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q5 or Acura MDX over it's station wagon equivalent.

People shopping an X5 or Cayenne likley aren't interested in a family friendly tool of hauling convenience and likewise most minivan shoppers aren't interested in something like an X5 or Q5. But those looking at that type of vehicle could as easily look at a S4 or Passat wagon and get just as much space + AWD + as fast or faster times along with better milage and handling.

But that's not what they want. They want the looks and/or badge. The performance is only secondary.

As far as stability and awd...again...it doesn't counteract ride height and weight which create body lean and wallow going through corners. It has nothing to do with rollovers. It's a simple feeling that the car is going to tip over even though it's not.

 

[Capt Caveman]

People shopping an X5 or Cayenne likley aren't interested in a family friendly tool of hauling convenience and likewise most minivan shoppers aren't interested in something like an X5 or Q5. But those looking at that type of vehicle could as easily look at a S4 or Passat wagon and get just as much space + AWD + as fast or faster times along with better milage and handling.

But that's not what they want. They want the looks and/or badge. The performance is only secondary.

As far as stability and awd...again...it doesn't counteract ride height and weight which create body lean and wallow going through corners. It has nothing to do with rollovers. It's a simple feeling that the car is going to tip over even though it's not.

Kidding right? Passat wagon doesn't have AWD or a V6 option anymore and has 61.8 cu ft of cargo space. The Highland and Equinox you mentioned have more cargo space also. If you need additional cargo space, you can also look at a Mazda CX-9 which has over 100 cu ft of space.

And yes, awd and stability control will improve handling.

http://www.edmunds.com/acura/mdx/

Also standard is Acura's "Super-Handling" All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD) system. Besides improving traction in bad weather, SH-AWD is capable of transferring up to 100 percent of power to one wheel depending on conditions. Specifically, it allows the outer wheels to accelerate more quickly through a turn to give the MDX greater handling ability.

The MDX's mix of sport sedan handling and crossover utility certainly makes it one of the best luxury SUVs around.

http://www.edmunds.com/acura/mdx/2011/

Much of the fun-to-drive quality relates to Acura's so-called "Super Handling" all-wheel-drive system (SH-AWD). By proportioning power automatically to the outside wheels during cornering, the system helps make the MDX feel more agile and happier in the corners. Finally, well-controlled body roll and communicative steering contribute to a responsive crossover that drives much smaller than it is.

For a three-row SUV, the 2011 Acura MDX does a fine job of acting as if it's not one. On curvy roads, the MDX is an eager partner thanks to the "Super-Handling" all-wheel drive. There's a sensation of torque shifting from wheel to wheel as needed during hard cornering, cluing the driver into the magic behind the electronic curtain, but it all happens so effectively that the result is encouraging rather than distracting. Equipped with the Advance package, the MDX's active dampers soak up the bumps when necessary and firm up when the pace quickens. The MDX is truly one of the most rewarding luxury crossovers to drive.

 

[vi edit]

Cargo space and volume is a number best seen than read. The same with handling.

 

[JulesMaximus]

for you to cross gradually into old age.

FTFY

 

[Svnla]

I am driving a small cross over. Before it, I was driving a small size vehicle (Civic size).

I like my current cross over because it was a bit bigger than small size vehicle, the styling, and the seating was higher. I did not buy it for rock climbing (2WD only), or any heavy duty stuffs. I would never ever buy a minivan or a station wagon due to their look/styling.

Now with gas price is climbing higher and higher, I wish that I picked a small vehicle instead (mid to high 20s MPG instead of low 20s MPG currently), oh well.

 

[DCal430]

A lot of crossovers like the Venza are basically station wagons without being called station wagons.

 

[ElFenix]

A lot of crossovers like the Venza are basically station wagons without being called station wagons.

and that is the point of the cross over. it's a station wagon for people who won't admit to driving a station wagon.

 

[waffleironhead]

first we had station wagons, and they were outdated by the minivan.
minivans were replaced by SUV's
suvs are now replaced by crossovers

 

[nublikescake]

For people who want a higher up SUV feel on a car chassis?

Pretty much confirms my thoughts.

 

[Numenorean]

Shows how little you know:
Video of the Touareg Offroading in the Moab.

The Touareg and Cayenne share the same platform.

Your picture is not really much of offroading. Anything meant for that wouldn't even have a tire off the ground.

I could drive a fucking Crown Vic on slickrock in Moab. There are plenty of trails which require little clearance.

LOL and at the end of that video I see major fail with it having a very hard time on an extremely easy section.

 

[Mike Gayner]

Everyone has different priorities and different reasons for owning different vehicles. I dont get why this is so difficult for some to understand.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Your picture is not really much of offroading. Anything meant for that wouldn't even have a tire off the ground.

I could drive a fucking Crown Vic on slickrock in Moab. There are plenty of trails which require little clearance.

LOL and at the end of that video I see major fail with it having a very hard time on an extremely easy section.

Do a little googling and you might learn something. Hardcore offroading is a recreation and not something 99% of vehicles will ever face. Now, have those vehicles that can do serious offroading and see how well they perform in everyday circumstances.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Pretty much confirms my thoughts.

Yes, for folks that want the benefits of a SUV and car. The nice thing about crossovers is that they combined both of those in different variations providing lots of options and why they're so popular.

 

[Numenorean]

Do a little googling and you might learn something. Hardcore offroading is a recreation and not something 99% of vehicles will ever face. Now, have those vehicles that can do serious offroading and see how well they perform in everyday circumstances.

My point is that a crossover driving along a dirt track road is not offroading.

My truck handles quite nicely on the highway.

 

[Scotteq]

I know what IT IS. But what's the POINT? What kind of a person/family would it be suitable for?

It's so people can say they drive something that's not a station wagon.


..when, in fact, they *are* actually driving a station wagon.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Awesome, here is a Crown Vic off-roading

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFwPXEeJ3aI

haha, that is funny.

Personally ... I really want a Q5, haha.

 

[gorcorps]

I picked a crossover because I wanted more room than a sedan but had no need for the towing and such. I have an AWD Nissan Rogue and it's a solid car. It's about as effecient as my old '90 Accord I got rid of yet I have a lot more room and utility for my own needs. I don't need to haul anything other than people and the occaisonal load of gear or boxes of shit. It handles the winters here in northern Indiana better than most sedans and has a decent amount more ground clearance as well.

It filled the niche for people that wanted more room, but didn't want to sacrifice efficiency if they didn't need the power of a true SUV. As said before, they're basically a slicker wagon.

 

[Monster_Munch]

What is there to Understand? I own a Subaru Forester and my mom is most likely going to get a Honda CRV as her next vehicle.

The Forester is actually supposed to be very good offroad. All the farmers where I live seem to own them.

 

[Capt Caveman]

My point is that a crossover driving along a dirt track road is not offroading.

My truck handles quite nicely on the highway.

And my point is that there are crossovers that can go offroading and handle better with a better ride on the road.

 

[Numenorean]

And my point is that there are crossovers that can go offroading and handle better with a better ride on the road.

I haven't seen a crossover offroading yet.

 

[AstroManLuca]

The purpose of crossovers is to allow people to buy the station wagon they actually want without having to call it one because station wagons aren't cool.

this

Crossovers rarely have as much interior space as minivans. The smaller ones without a third row seat are often really cramped inside too. They have a little more cargo room than a hatchback but not an impressive amount. Their handling and gas mileage suffers from being high up while AWD systems further degrade gas mileage and acceleration as well as increasing the complexity and cost of the vehicle and of maintenance. Tires wear out more quickly and all four must be replaced at once. They are pretty expensive to buy, used or new.

But these are all acceptable trade offs because people like having a "high driving position" and they don't like how station wagons look. Also they like having AWD because it makes them feel immune to weather conditions and sometimes their driveway has snow on it.