Crossovers the New Black in Automotive Industry

Small SUVs, tall wagons, low minivans, call them what you may -- the hottest segment in the automotive industry right now is the Crossover. The days of the big and bulky truck-based SUV reached its nadir right about the time gas prices hit an all time high and these smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles are catching the eye of the buying public.

So what exactly is a Crossover? The Crossover fits a range of definitions, but is basically a small SUV built onto the unibody chassis of a passenger car. The buyer gets the space and interior flexibility of a larger vehicle, but with a more car-like feel, drive and fuel economy. Some even feature optional four-wheel drive systems like their bigger, SUV brethren. Crossovers are usually lower to the ground than most body-on-frame truck-based vehicles, which should make an aging baby boomer population much happier than climbing into a full-size, high-off-the-ground SUV. The Crossover, or CUV as it is sometimes called, is a no-compromise vehicle that affords the best of all worlds while also providing a greener footprint. Too bad the word hybrid was already taken.

“At the beginning of the decade, the Crossover segment was a niche segment; there were only 14 models available on the market and annual sales were 500,000. By 2006, sales were 2.4 million, and there are now 50 models on the market. Wards predicts over 70 by 2009,” says George Pipas, sales analyst at Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan. “It’s the fastest growing segment I’ve seen in my thirty years at Ford Motor Company. It surpasses the growth of the minivan in the 1980s and the SUV in the 1990s.”

Here is a sampling of some of the many Crossovers on the market for 2007. The automotive manufacturers are constantly releasing new models, so check back later for more information.

2007 Ford Edge and 2007 Lincoln MKX
These two models may be twins under the skin, and while we like the styling of the Ford Edge, the grille and almost bespoke styling on the MKX edges (d’oh!) out the Ford for us. All that luxury comes at a significantly higher price than the Edge.

Price:          2007 Ford Edge SE AWD: $26,970
                   2007 Lincoln MKX AWD: $35,770
EPA MGP:   Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX: 17/24 mpg

2007 Infiniti FX and 2007 Nissan Murano
Here is another set of stable mates, again, one more basic and the other more upscale. We like the crouching panther look of the FX and the V-8 power on the FX 45.

Price:          2007 Nissan Murano S AWD: $29,350
                   2007 Infiniti FX 45: $49,850
EPA MPG:   Murano: 19/24, FX45: 14/18

2007 Jeep Compass and 2007 Dodge Caliber
We like the somewhat-maligned Caliber and Compass duo; both have well-designed features and car-smooth rides.

Price:          2007 Jeep Compass Sport 4x2: $15,425
                   2007 Dodge Caliber SE: $13,575
EPA MPG:   Caliber: 27/32, Compass: 26/30

2007 Acura RDX
Acura’s first crossover, the RDX also features their turbocharged engine -- a 4-cylinder, 2.3-liter, 240-horsepower model. RDX features a car-smooth ride, standard 18” wheels and all-wheel drive system.

Price:         RDX 5-Spd AT: $32,995
EPA MPG:  19/24

2007 Mazda CX-7
This new-for-2007 model features a 244-horsepower turbocharged engine, room for five and all of your gear. With its sporty drive, it’s like a RX-8, but much more practical.

 

Price:         CX-7 Sport FWD: $23,750
EPA MPG:  19/24

2007 Toyota RAV4
With the RAV4, Toyota went back to drafting table and came up with a more powerful version of their small SUV. Opt for the larger engine, a 269-hp V-6, and you still get 22 mpg for the city and 29-mpg highway.

Price:         2007 RAV4 V6 4x2: $22,885
EPA MPG:  22/29

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