What’s the Difference Between a Crossover and a Sport Utility Vehicle?

by | Jul 19, 2019 | Automotive

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As you search among the vehicles at a used Chevy dealership in Berwyn, you may be considering a crossover or a sport utility vehicle, also known as an SUV. Before that last sentence, you may not have known there was a difference between these two types of vehicles at all. While they may get jumbled up in much of the industry, you want to ensure that you’re an informed car buyer, and this basic explanation of the differences between these two vehicle types will help.

Main Differences

A crossover is typically smaller than a traditional SUV for one reason: crossovers are typically built on a car chassis. This shorter wheelbase means the body of a crossover needs to be smaller, as well. This distinction also means that the frame and chassis of a crossover are a single unit, also known as unibody construction. On the other hand, the frame and chassis of an SUV are separate, also known as “body on frame” construction. This main distinction is the definitive way to tell the difference between SUVs and crossovers.

Main Similarities

More and more people are purchasing crossovers or SUVs over other types of vehicles because of the increased ground clearance and cargo space that these vehicles offer. Therefore, increased ground clearance (as well as all-wheel-drive capabilities) are fairly universal across any vehicle from either of these classifications. These shared characteristics are also why the terms “crossover” and “SUV” are often used interchangeably.

Main Complications

At our used Chevy dealership in Berwyn, we work hard to properly classify the vehicles we sell to ensure you understand exactly what you’re buying. Outside of a dealer classification, however, the crossover and SUV categories can be more difficult to separate.

The main reason for this confusion is that some mid-size crossovers that would appear to be SUVs at first glance are, in fact, built using unibody construction, which means they are classified as crossovers. If the correct classification is crucial to the purchase of your next vehicle, feel free to contact the knowledgeable vehicle experts of Hawk Chevrolet Bridgeview.

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