Check out our body style guide for even more information.The best small SUVs and crossovers are hugely fashionable and popular right now, whether you're looking to buy or lease a new or used model. Added comfort with extra power and better off-roading capabilities than a crossover. Also, if you’re mostly going to use the car for driving around town or on the road, a crossover is a good choice.Īnd if you can’t make up your mind, then an SUV may be a perfect choice. Plenty of crossovers are available in hybrid and electric versions, which is even better for environment-friendly drivers. On the other hand, if you’d rather sacrifice a bit of power for a lighter car with fewer emissions and better fuel economy, then a crossover is for you. But they will make your everyday life easier. Yes, they’re more expensive to run and to maintain, and generally not the eco-friendliest. After all, you need a car capable of taking you where you need to be without any problems. If you’re serious about off-roading, work in rugged terrain or live somewhere with harsh weather conditions, then a 4×4 will possibly suit your lifestyle better.
It will depend on what you want and need the car for. There is no right or wrong answer to this question. We explored the difference between SUVs and Crossovers in more detail in our Crossover Guide. And luxury thrill-seekers will fall for all the charms of the Range Rover or the Lexus RX L. For example, families will love the Mazda CX-5‘s comfort and fabulous handling.
#BEST CROSSOVER SUV DRIVER#
With plenty of sizes and shapes, there’s one for almost every driver and budget.
SUVs tend to sport a sleeker body with a more stylish design than 4x4s. And even if they were not built with off-roading in mind, the majority come with AWD or even 4WD as an option, in case you’re feeling adventurous. They are more engaging and fun to drive on roads and streets. Whilst 4X4s were born to thrive off-road, SUVs feel more like a conventional car when you’re driving. SUVs tend to be lighter too because the bodywork and chassis form one complete piece – that is called a ‘unibody’ layout.
SUV stands for Sports Utility Vehicle and is used to describe high-riding stylish vehicles that have better handling on the road, improved luxury and comfort for all occupants and lower running costs than traditional 4x4s. If you love adventures off-road or require its capabilities for off-road work, look no further. For that, they perform best when in the wild. However, newer models like the new Land Rover Defender are now being built in a unibody style with the drivetrain and suspension bolted to the body instead of the frame.Īlthough 4X4s like the Land Rover Defender or the Jeep Wrangler can be seen in cities and towns, these vehicles were made to tackle the most challenging conditions. This simple construction means that the engine, gearbox, axles and suspension are all on the chassis – and that is quite handy for car maintenance. On the other hand, they are exceptionally tough and good at towing great loads.Īnother thing you should know about 4x4s is that they are traditionally built with the body bolted on the frame. They are heavy vehicles and while they can sometimes feel a bit clunky on the motorway, they excel in the wild. They are, in a way, the ones that started the trend for rugged cars.Īs their name suggests, 4×4 cars got their name from the fact that they have four-wheel-drive and that they can get you almost anywhere, no matter how tricky the surface is. 4X4s were the first vehicles designed to tackle off-roading and rough terrains.