Crossover and SUV - a lot in common and even more differences

Crossover or the art of compromise

The name crossover, translated from English into Polish, means the intersection of two different things. A crossover is a body type that crosses an SUV with another body type. Most often it is a hatchback, a little less station wagon, coupe or minivan. There are also convertible crossovers. The raised ground clearance of an SUV in combination with any other type of body increases the comfort of using the car in city traffic - driving through potholes and high curbs becomes much easier.

To meet the expectations of buyers, most crossovers are designed to retain the maximum similarity to the SUV. Hence most of the problems with distinguishing between these two body types. However, there are some differences, differences between an SUV and a crossover that may indicate which one we are dealing with.

A crossover that combines an SUV with a hatchback or coupe offers a reduction in interior space compared to a full-size SUV. The barrel in this case is noticeably shorter. The luggage compartment is also often devoid of side windows.

Crossovers, which are a cross between an SUV and a station wagon or minivan, boast a lot of space, but sometimes you have to make concessions in terms of body shape and proportions. A silhouette focused on maximum payload can disrupt the aesthetics of the body lines at the rear of the car, making it not as eye-catching as a classic SUV with a large boot.

When control matters

You can also distinguish a real SUV from a crossover by the type of drive. Advanced all-wheel drive is a rarity in crossovers. They usually use front wheel drive and some use a system that can turn on the rear wheels in certain situations. SUVs offer all-wheel drive, which also gives them the ability to move efficiently on unpaved surfaces.

Due to their personal rather than off-road nature, off-road vehicles are only occasionally used off-road. Four-wheel drive can make a trip to the forest, lake or mountains easier and more enjoyable, but more often than not, increased safety is a key factor when choosing an SUV. The power sent to all four wheels provides more traction on slippery surfaces and allows better control of the car in winter conditions.

Utility or sporty?

Although the acronym "SUV" has evolved as a Sport Utility Vehicle, usually the only sporty feature of an SUV is a powerful engine. This name, according to the philosophy of most automakers, should reflect the active lifestyle that an SUV gives. The luggage compartment allows you to take sports accessories with you, while the drive and suspension provide efficient access on a gravel road in the lap of nature, where you can engage in various activities at will.

The increased ground clearance makes it easier to drive on poor quality surfaces, but negatively affects the behavior of the body when driving fast on a winding asphalt road. Therefore, sporty handling is not typical for SUVs.

The Jaguar brand decided to use its experience in sports car design and take the letter "S" in the name "SUV" quite literally. Jaguar F-PACE is not only available with a powerful engine. The car also has a transmission and suspension that provide a sporty driving experience.

When driving the Jaguar F-PACE on tarmac, most of the power is sent to the rear wheels, delivering performance similar to that of an all-wheel drive vehicle. Only when road conditions worsen or become off-road does the system adjust transmission and suspension settings to improve ride comfort.

The Jaguar F-PACE offers incredible agility in tight corners thanks to Torque Vectoring by Braking. The system brakes the front and rear wheels on the inside of the curve at high speed while maintaining the speed of the outside wheels. The result is a significant reduction in understeer, resulting in a marked increase in driving confidence.

Of course, the handling of the Jaguar F-PACE combines all the advantages of a modern SUV. Additional accessories such as a roof rack for bicycles or retractable side steps make it easy to get active in nature. The brand has kept in mind all aspects related to the use of the car, and many technical solutions provide not only excellent driving, but also entertainment, safety and comfort of use.