Crossover utility vehicles, also known as CUVs, have the upper body of a sport utility vehicle built on a car-based platform. Due to this combination of features, crossovers have some pros and cons of SUVs and passenger cars. Many manufacturers and consumers refer to CUVs as SUVs. Some vehicles have moved from wagon to CUV to SUV classification over the years, all the while changing very little in all but name.
Crossovers can be front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive, offering a critical choice for drivers. Manufacturers produce hybrid (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and battery-electric (BEV) crossovers in addition to traditional gasoline-powered internal combustion engine (ICE) CUVs.
If you’re looking for a quality crossover based on safety, performance, and features, check out the recent winners for Best SUV, rated by Kelley Blue Book editors.
