4x4, SUV and Crossover, How to choose?

Crossover and SUV? What are their strengths and weaknesses? What differences with the 4x4?

Little-suv.blogspot.com gives you the keys to better understand these booming vehicles.

A 4x4 is what exactly?

A 4x4 is, above all, a vehicle with all-wheel drive. A "real" 4x4 has a second gearbox called short box. Totally unnecessary road it is only used for obstacle clearance on rough terrain. Similarly, the front axle and rear axle are independent so that, regardless of the roughness of the terrain, the vehicle always has the best possible tire on the ground. Finally, some all-terrain vehicles are equipped with a differential lock system. Very useful when certain wheels spin or are outright are off the ground.

In summary, a 4x4 is a vehicle with special equipment that enable it to run on any type of roads.

But then, what difference with the Crossover and SUV?

Unlike 4x4 with its independent bridges, crossovers and SUVs are built on a monocoque body. They are only partially equipped to venture off the roads.

The SUV

His full name Sport Utility Vehicle is, usually, a cross between 4x4 and MPV. Most SUVs have a 4WD giving their real abilities off-road. However, the drive wheels aside, an SUV is much closer to a conventional passenger vehicle as off-road. Indeed, on the road we do not use the 4x4 mode that consumes a lot more fuel. In other words, on a road SUV is a 4x4 that look.

The cockpit offers a relatively large volume, ideal for family use.

The Crossover

It is itself, halfway between the 4x4 and the sedan. It has also him a 4x4 mode, but is less spacious and more urban than the SUV. It also consumes less fuel. The main difference between an SUV and a Crossover is aesthetic. Originally Crossovers were mounted on a sedan platform unlike SUV with a larger chassis-type van.

Today, manufacturers present their Crossovers like most sports vehicles as SUVs, kind of missing link between these and the 4x4.

In the end, the 4x4 are the only true all-terrain vehicles. They do not have a great interest in highway driving. As for SUVs and Crossovers, even if they are technically very close, they cater to two distinct types of customers, the former being more family and the second most sports. And supply continues to expand as demand grows. Indeed, sales of SUVs have doubled between 2007 and 2013 to reach 16% of the American car market.