What’s The Difference Between an SUV and a Crossover

If you’re shopping for a new vehicle like the ever-popular Hyundai Tucson, you’ve probably heard the terms “SUV” and “Crossover” interchanged.

Don’t worry. It’s pretty common for these two words to get confused, so the grammar and vocabulary police aren’t going to be knocking down any doors soon.

If, however, you’re someone who enjoys good automotive trivia, or you just place value on being accurate, there is a difference. The Hyundai Tucson you’ve been eyeing, for example, is often called a compact crossover SUV. It’s not both, so which is it?

So there’s no more confusion about how the Hyundai Tucson is classified; here is what you need to know about the difference between an SUV and a crossover.

The Platform Makes the Difference

One of the biggest distinctions between an SUV and a crossover is the vehicle’s body and frame. A crossover is known for its unibody construction, which means the body/frame is built as a single piece. Many consider this design to be related to the frame and body of a sedan.

With this kind of design, drivers enjoy better ride quality, lighter drive weight, and greater fuel economy.SUVs use what is called a body-on-frame design. That means the body and the frame are built separately and then joined together. This design is often referred to as a truck-based design.

A body-on-frame design allows for more rugged adventures and heavier towing and payload capacities.

These distinctions are not to say that an SUV can’t involve responsive handling and great fuel efficiency. There’s also no reason to believe that a crossover can’t take trips off-road to tow a trailer in tow.

Size Makes a Difference

SUVs and crossovers come in all shapes and sizes, so size alone can’t necessarily determine if something in one or the other. In general, however, there are some things to consider.SUVs, with their body-on-frame designs, are typically built in larger sizes. You’ll see that most models fall into the mid-sized or full-sized classifications. The larger bodies are great for rugged terrains.

Crossovers can come in all sizes, from subcompact to full-size. Despite the range of possibilities, manufacturers will often call their crossovers small or compact SUVs.
Haynes 5/28/21

Plenty in Common with the Hyundai Tucson

Even though SUVs and crossovers have several major differences, they are very similar. From the increased ground clearance, spacious cabins, and a full suite of technology features, they offer many of the same options.SUVs and crossovers are increasing in popularity and make up almost half of all new vehicle registrations nationwide. So long as you get the vehicle that offers the features and specs that work for you and your budget, maybe it doesn’t matter if it’s technically an SUV or crossover.

What is the Hyundai Tucson?

For those who haven’t figured it out, the compact crossover SUV known as the Hyundai Tucson is actually a crossover. It’s smaller in size and offers a solid-body frame. It’s often called a crossover SUV because it’s also quite capable off-road and still offers a solid towing capacity.

If you want to know more about this popular crossover, stop by your local Hyundai dealer today.