Five reasons why you don’t need a crossover

Crossover is a fashion trend in the automotive industry. To see this, just look at the recent car sales statistics for 2020. For example, the TOP-25 best-selling models include such SUVs as Hyundai Creta, Toyota RAV4, Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage, Nissan Qashqai, Hyundai Tucson, Skoda Kodiaq, Renault Kaptur, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander. That is, almost the entire list is filled with SUVs, and Creta is fourth on the list after Lada Granta, Vesta and Kia Rio.

Why are crossovers so popular? The answer is obvious. Our country is a vast country, where there are megacities and good roads, but also nature and lack of roads. And also in the winter season, snow lies in the yards and it is not as easy to drive through it as you would like. A car enthusiast begins to dream of an SUV, which, as a rule, is large in size, consumes a lot of fuel and is simply inconvenient in the city. And marketers managed to make a unique offer to such motorists in the form of a crossover.

A crossover is presented, often like an SUV. Advertisers report a high ride height, as well as the availability of versions with all-wheel drive and a high seating position. Like, all the vast expanses of our country with a SUV will be available. Oh yes, they also claim that curbs can be climbed with ease.

All this undoubtedly attracts a car enthusiast – high ground clearance, a look like an SUV. Many people even think that, for example, Creta or Qashqai are SUVs and now they can handle any snowdrift.

But let's be clear and disillusioned. A crossover or SUV, as a rule, is made on the basis of a passenger car. It simply has an extended suspension and increased body height, which is why it is slightly higher in all respects compared to a hatchback, liftback or station wagon. And then I will describe the reasons why the SUV in some situations is worse than an ordinary passenger car.

1 Manageability. Due to the fact that the crossover has an increased suspension, it will roll more in corners than a car with a medium or shortened suspension.

Also, at speeds over 100-110 km / h, the SUV starts to float and does not feel as stable as the same sedan, hatchback or station wagon. This does not apply to all crossovers, but this behavior is most often observed.

2 Increased ground clearance. For example, Hyundai Creta has a clearance of 190 mm, however, this is according to passport data. Due to the dealer metal protection, ground clearance is reduced to 175 mm. Compare with the Skoda Octavia, which has a ground clearance of 158 mm. The difference is quite small. And Octavia will be able to drive where the Creta will go.

Yes, the SUV has a slight advantage. However, much depends on the skills of the driver. I often noticed crossovers in the city with a peeled lower edge of the bumper. Apparently, the owners considered their cars high, and that's the result.

3 All-wheel drive at the crossover is pluggable. It is implemented using a clutch that, when slipping, distributes torque between the front and rear axles. Yes, it's very cool when you start to slip the front wheels and then the rear wheels come to the rescue. It really helps in some situations. For example, in a snowy yard or on the highway.

The fact is that most SUVs have recently been sold with front-wheel drive. That is, a person bought a hatchback with increased ground clearance, mediocre handling and front-wheel drive useless on light off-road. Outwardly, of course, this crossover can give the impression of a real rogue. In fact, this is only an appearance, nothing more.

If the car has a plug-in all-wheel drive and high ground clearance, this does not mean that you can safely drive into any snowdrift or off-road. Because such a system is only suitable for light off-road. In more or less deep snowdrifts, the all-wheel drive SUV burrows quickly and sits on its belly.

Moreover, all-wheel drive often has inefficient imitation of locks. This leads to the fact that when stuck, the wheel that does not have a hook spins, and the wheel that is supported simply stands still. Well, I know what I'm talking about, because I rode almost all all-wheel drive crossovers in the winter.

4 The cost of a crossover is always higher than that of an ordinary passenger car from the same class. For example, a Skoda Karoq 4X4 will cost the same as an Octavia 1.4 with front wheel drive. But Octavia will be in a more expensive configuration. It is more comfortable, more space in the cabin and better handling. Yes, there is no all-wheel drive. But the question is, do you need it. And this is the most important thing.

I can give the same example with Hyundai Creta. For the maximum configuration, you will have to pay about 1,700,000 conditional units. For the same money, you can buy a new Elantra, which is more comfortable, spacious and dynamic. You just have to be a little more careful when leaving the city.

5 Fuel consumption. The SUV, as a rule, consumes more fuel than a sedan or hatchback. Because he weighs more. Plus, if this is an all-wheel drive crossover, then the consumption there will be even greater. For example, a Creta with a 2.0-liter engine and all-wheel drive consumes an average of 15 liters per 100 kilometers. And the same Solaris or Elantra – no more than 10 liters.

findings

Instead of a conclusion, I will say that there are no bad cars, body types, drive types, and so on. The main thing is to understand for what purpose the car is purchased. If you need to overcome a small off-road that an ordinary passenger car cannot handle, then here you need to carefully approach the choice of an all-wheel drive crossover. If a person drives in those places and roads where a sedan will pass, then there is no point in a crossover. Yes, maybe you like the high seating position and the look of SUVs, then yes. In any case, the choice is yours.