SUV and Crossover Quick Facts
- Body-on-frame construction remains the defining element of a true SUV.
- A crossover SUV (CUV) is a multi-passenger vehicle with carlike unibody construction.
- A crossover is a more sensible, easier-to-manage alternative to an SUV when people moving is its prime function.
In the strictest sense, there is a difference between the terms SUV and crossover. In most usages, the term crossover is interchangeable with SUV. It’s somewhat like the relationship between whiskey and bourbon in that all bourbon is whiskey, but all whiskey isn’t bourbon. We can lump crossovers under the general SUV heading, but a traditional SUV isn’t a crossover. Clear as mud, right?
Although there is somewhat of a gray area in how we apply these terms, there are a few fundamental differences between them. Below, we outline those core differences, laying out everything you need to know about the two.
- What Is an SUV?
- What Is a Crossover SUV?
- The Gray Area Between SUV and Crossover
- Which Costs More: An SUV or a Crossover?
What Is an SUV?
The term “SUV” stands for sport utility vehicle. To truly understand SUVs is to grasp their body-on-frame architecture. The simplest method for assembling a motor vehicle is constructing the frame and chassis as a separate unit, building the carriage or body as a separate unit, and bolting or welding them together. This approach, labeled body-on-frame architecture, was common to all auto manufacturing well into the 1960s and 1970s. Body-on-frame construction remains the defining element of a true SUV.
The suspension and wheels are attached to the frame, which also supports the engine, transmission, and the remaining drivetrain components. An entirely separate unit, the steel bodywork then mounts to the frame. Carmakers have moved on from body-on-frame for most vehicle segments. However, the most rugged pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs continue to be body-on-frame.
About Body-on-Frame Architecture
We equate body-on-frame with tough. Consequently, trucks like the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and Ram 1500 use body-on-frame construction, as do SUVs like the Jeep Wrangler, Toyota 4Runner, and Nissan Armada.
Why? Body-on-frame construction creates a more rigid platform, significantly elevating hauling, towing, and off-road capabilities. Furthermore, these uber-rugged vehicles often offer higher ground clearance.
Shorthand for body-on-frame is the term “truck-based.” That’s because at the root of most SUVs lurks a pickup truck. Chevrolet bases the Chevy Tahoe and Chevy Suburban on the Chevy Silverado. Ford models its Ford Expedition on the Ford F-150.
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In short, an SUV is a multi-passenger sport utility vehicle with body-on-frame construction with a body mounted to a ladder frame.
Furthering the SUV definition, these ultra utility vehicles are always rear-wheel drive (RWD). When equipped with a system to put power to all four wheels, they use 4-wheel drive (4WD or 4X4) rather than all-wheel drive (AWD) like the Honda Pilot or Kia Telluride. Crossovers, more often than not, employ a front-wheel drive (FWD), if not all-wheel drive.
When Is It an SUV?
An SUV is an SUV and not a crossover when its basic construction is like a truck: body-on-frame. Beyond that, 2-wheel-drive SUVs are always rear-wheel drive.
Why Is Body-on-Frame Construction Stronger?
The simple answer is that the more ridged the frame, the more it resists twisting from pressure when off-roading or towing a heavy load. At the heart of body-on-frame construction is the ultra-rigid steel cross-member ladder frame, which undergirds the entire structure. It maintains its integrity through all manner of abuse and punishment.
Although advancements in tensile-strength technology have improved the rigidity of lighter metals used in today’s more popular unibody cars and crossovers, body-on-frame still holds an advantage when a vehicle needs to perform high-stress tasks.
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What Is a Crossover SUV?
You will hear people, even people who know better, referring to a crossover as an SUV. We have done so here to shorten a headline or two. Restating our whiskey and bourbon metaphor in another way: all tigers are cats, but all cats aren’t tigers. There are many similarities shared between SUVs and crossovers, but ultimately, they are different.
Our muddying of the SUV-vs.-crossover waters aside, SUVs and crossovers are different animals at their foundations. On the fringes, however, they are mostly the same.
While SUVs use body-on-frame construction, attaching a separate body to a ladder frame, crossovers use a unibody architecture. “Unibody” is shorthand for unit-body or unitized-body construction. As manufacturing evolved, particularly in the age of computer technology, automakers began building the body and frame as a single structure. It is more cost-efficient to make a vehicle this way. Moreover, unibody construction is lighter and offers more opportunities for built-in safety benefits like crumple zones.
Vehicles like the Kia Sorento and the Hyundai Santa Fe, with their unibody body construction, are ideal examples of crossovers.
We get the term crossover from, well, we’re not sure. But it is a bridge between cars and SUVs. No one, though, seems to know exactly where the term originated.
A crossover SUV is a multi-passenger vehicle with carlike unibody construction. Crossovers tend to provide a more comfortable ride, better fuel economy, and a safer passenger environment. While some provide some extra ground clearance, boulder crawlers they are not.
What Is the Point of a Crossover?
Crossovers fill the family-vehicle void created by the passing of the station wagon and the negative stigma of the minivan. At the end of the day, a comfy, fuel-stingy crossover is a station wagon with more versatility in passenger and cargo carrying. Moreover, it’s nearly as family-friendly as a minivan without the soccer-mom vibe. A crossover can’t work as hard as a true body-on-frame SUV; however, it’s a more sensible, easier-to-manage alternative to an SUV when moving people will be its prime function.
The Gray Area Between SUV and Crossover
There is really no gray area between SUVs and crossovers other than people either not knowing the difference or not caring. As with the terms 4WD and AWD, some people simply misapply the terms SUVs and crossovers.
It’s like using the word “who” where it should be “whom.” Who gave whom the business? Not who gave who the business? The second sentence may be grammatically incorrect, but we still get the gist. So it is with “SUV” and “crossover.”
Which Costs More: An SUV or a Crossover?
Capability has a price, and SUVs are more capable than crossovers. In terms of materials and labor, body-on-frame architecture costs more than unibody construction. Moreover, on average, the 4×4 systems found in SUVs are also more expensive than the all-wheel-drive systems employed by crossovers. In terms of everyday operation, crossovers are more fuel-efficient than SUVs. Consequently, SUVs cost more.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated for accuracy since it was originally published.
The article says “Not only is it more cost efficient to build a car this way, unibody construction is lighter…” while the FAQ says “Because of their unibody construction, crossovers simply cost more than body-on-frame SUVs to build.” Which is correct? Is unibody construction cheaper or more expensive?
what piffle!!!
If you’re into off roading go buy a SUV otherwise buy a CRV.
What is the implication of unibody vs body on frame..why would a purchaser care about that?
I was hoping to find some practical differences that I can use to decide which one I should buy.
for example: (I don’t know if any of these are true)
– SUVs seats 7, Crossover seats 6
– SUVs have larger clearance than a crossover for off-road
– SUVs have worse gas mileage but higher torque
– SUVs can toe heavier loads
– SUVs have more storage
Ok an suv may or may not be a crossover.
Presuming these are initials, you never stated what “SUV” stands for.
Sport utility vehicle. It’s common knowledge, so they didn’t feel the need to explain.
Sports Utility Vehicle
Is Jeep compass a SUV OR Crossover ?
Crossover use unibody architecture than suv use the chassis of a truck
and a Crossover doesn’t have to be 4X4,but an SUV must.
TL;DR for anyone wanting to know the difference between Crossovers and SUV’s. A Crossover is built on a car chassis platform and is not necessarily designed to go off road. An SUV is usually built on a truck chassis and is designed to go off road with the appropriate drive train and suspension options. Hope this helps!!!
Thank you Tim! That gives additional clarity
That’s how I remember a sport ute defined.
But isn’t the Honda CRV built on the Civic’s chassis. Then why isn’t it called a crossover? …feeling confused
Thankyou Tim, that’s the answer I was looking for
I’m proud of my “Compact SUV” as is described, Xterra Pro-X 2014. I’d feel weird in a big four door, for wheel, that looks like a chaperon for a family with 2.5 children and s white picket fence, and I’d feel less safe too!
In short, unibodys cave in on you much easier than frames vehicles.
Simply not true.
If you compare under the same price, unibodies are safer.
Unibody vehicles have lower CGs than body on frame vehicles do.