SUVs are reasonably good all terrain vehicles, though perhaps below an ATV in durability and performance. SUV crossovers do not have the rough ground capability of the full SUV, but cost less and provide the extra seating and all wheel driving suitable for most light snow and poor weather conditions.
What is an SUV?
A sports utility vehicle is an all-wheel drive car, often known as a 4×4. It is constructed on chassis, or steel framework, that offers strong support f r the drivetrain. The bodywork is then built around that. A normal car consists of an integrated body, where the floor and passenger area are integrated as a single shell that also supports the engine and drive train.
The SUV is stronger than a family car, and more able to handle rougher terrains. The wheelbase is also higher, so that it is more capable of driving in snow where the road has not been completely cleared. The all-wheel drive also helps in this respect. A normal family car is generally driven by the front or back two wheels.
It should be understood that SUVs are not all terrain vehicles (ATVs).) You might go fishing with an SUV, but you would need an ATV for hunting off-road or for an African safari. A crossover is between an SUV and a normal car.
In their capacity to handle difficult driving conditions, their respective capabilities increase in the order: normal car->crossover->SUV->ATV->Hummer->army tank! Fuel consumption goes in the opposite direction. A tank is easier to park, but it will cost you more!
SUV Crossovers
SUV crossovers such as the Qashqai, as you can see, are a step up from a normal family car, but not quite SUVs. They have the higher wheelbase of an SUV, and can therefore handle small ditches and snow banks. However, they are not constructed on a framed chassis. They do not have the suspension capabilities of an SUV, but have slightly better gas consumption.
So why should you buy a Nissan Qashqai or Pathfinder crossover and not a normal car or an SUV? What advantages does a crossover give over each of these options? Here are some of these reasons. It is not always appropriate to select an SUV:
A crossover offers you all-wheel drive just the same as an SUV. In difficult driving conditions such as mud, floods, snow and ice, all-wheel drive provides you with more traction. In snow, for example, if your front or rear wheels get stuck in the snow, your other wheels will tend to pull you out. If this doesn’t help, then neither a regular car nor an SUV would be able to do better.
SUV crossovers provide the same high seat as an SUV, which many people prefer when driving. You can see over the traffic better than with a regular car, and distances are easier to judge.
You get a lot more trunk or cargo space with a crossover than with a regular automobile. This is the same as an SUV but at lower cost. Genuine SUVs are priced higher than crossovers due to largely to the stronger chassis construction.
If you have a large family with several children, an SUV crossover provides you with more seating. You can normally accommodate your whole family with at least four doors to facilitate tending to the youngsters in their car seats.
If you have a trailer, a crossover can haul that just as well as an SUV.
An SUV crossover such as the Qashqai costs less than an equivalent SUV. It therefore makes more sense to purchase the crossover if you have no need of the extra rough-terrain capabilities of a genuine SUV. If you hunt a lot, and take your vehicle into the mountains and rougher terrain, then the SUV will be better for you – or even better, an ATV!
Conclusions
There are many reasons to buy a crossover. Your kids and you dog will prefer an SUV crossover to a normal car. Its high wheelbase and large seats offers a far better view of the road in front. While its gas consumption is poorer than that of a regular family car, it is better than an SUV – diesel or not.
SUVs have their place in the word, but if that is not your place, then SUV crossovers might be your best choice. Keep in mind always that a crossover is not designed for off-road driving. If you really want an all terrain vehicle – or an SUV if conditions are not severe.