Hyundai Crossover vs. SUV: Which One is Best for You?

A Hyundai crossover and HUV can be difficult to tell apart. Learn the differences and decide what type of vehicle works best for your priorities.

If you're searching for a new vehicle, you may be deciding between an SUV and Hyundai crossover. The thing is, these two vehicles are a lot trickier to tell apart than you'd expect. Since you're spending your hard-earned cash on a new car, you want to be sure that it's the right one.

What has the space you need? What are the safety features offered? Will it entertain the kids during a road trip?

While the car dealer might be able to give you recommendations, knowing what you're going to get with each vehicle is crucial before you write the check. Keep reading to learn the differences and see what works best for you.

What Is an SUV?

An SUV or Sports Utility Vehicle is a popular family vehicle. It tends to be an umbrella term for a variety of vehicles that have four-wheel drive and can be taken off-road. An SUV can apply to larger vehicles but it can also apply to smaller vehicles that don't necessarily have a four-wheel drive. 

The reason it's called sports utility is that it is great for the outdoors and is a reliable option. An SUV is classified as a light truck as opposed to a car, with the ruggedness that comes from a truck but with the fuel efficiency of a car. SUV's were first built on a truck chassis before switching to a unibody frame. 

Most modern SUVs today are great for accommodating friends and family, with 4-5 doors and ample room. 

Hyundai Crossover vs SUV

Crossovers are essentially the cross between a car and a traditional SUV. The biggest difference is simple, a crossover is based on a car's platform while an SUV uses the chassis of a truck. What this means is that crossovers have a unibody architecture while SUV's have a body on frame layout. 

Unibody means that the body and frame are one piece. Body on frame means the body is built separately from the frame and then later placed back together. Of course, there is a gray area, many people might confuse car-based unibody vehicles like SUV's but they're actually crossovers. 

Generally, you can use SUV to describe both. Crossovers started to become popular when automakers wanted to describe a car that was 'crossing over' from the pragmatic use of an SUV to the fuel efficiency of a car. 

Crossover's also tend to have a liftgate like a hatchback, rather than a truck. One of the reasons people love crossovers so much is that they are taller than hatchbacks and provide better outward vision. 

What's a Unibody? 

It may be the first time you've heard of a unibody vehicle, which is dominating the market right now. A unibody vehicle has better fuel economy than a body on frame as well as superior safety features. Automakers love them because they're a lot easier to design.

Advanced software creates a mold of the vehicles, similar to clay, to get precise contours. These shells can be produced at a rapid rate and because they're easier to make, finding one to buy is simpler. Unibody vehicles also have a low center of gravity which offers a smoother ride.

What's a Body on Frame? 

Body on frame vehicles may not be as popular as unibody vehicles but they do have their benefits. For one, they're better for off-roading since they can handle twisting forces more efficiently. It's also more resistant to all the outdoor elements which include snow, mud, or dirt.

If you're someone who plans on getting out in the mud and on rough terrain then the body on frame designs are more valuable. They also tend to be better at towing than the unibody vehicles since they have a sturdier foundation. Body on frame vehicles are also cheaper to build and repair.

Clearly, there are advantages to both types of platforms and the best option for you depends on your lifestyle and needs.

Best Crossover Vehicles

When deciding between a Hyundai crossover and an SUV, there are few differences but they're significant. If you're looking for ample cargo space then check out the Hyundai Tuscon. It boasts 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat but an impressive 61.9 cubic feet of room with the second row folded.

If you're looking for a crossover for the family that provides plenty of room to grow and reliable safety features, consider looking at the Hyundai Santa Fe crossover vehicle. With anti-lock brakes and multiple airbags, it consistently rates as one of the safest cars on the market so you can drive worry-free.

No matter which vehicle you decide to call your own, you can rest assured that it'll have everything you need for you and your family. With comfortable seating, safety features, and impressive fuel efficiency, the choice is simple.

If you're concerned about the price tag, here's some reassurance. A new model, depending on the type of vehicle, starts at around $20,000 and can go all the way up to $40,000 or more. However, there are plenty of pre-owned crossovers that will fit perfectly into your budget. 

When you invest in a vehicle, you want something that will last a long time while not breaking the bank. Hyundai crossovers have everything you prioritize while still being an affordable option.  

Making an Informed Choice

Crossovers have grown in popularity, from being under 4% of the market in 2000 to nearly 40% in 2018. As crossovers continue to grow in popularity, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them and SUVs. Think of a crossover as the vehicle between a car and an SUV, the main difference being their platform.

There are a variety of Hyundai crossovers for you to choose from. Each one is sure to impress, whether it's the safety features in the Santa Fe or the cargo space in the Hyundai Tuscon. Happy driving!

Ready to jump into a new Hyundai Crossover? Take a look at all our offers available for a new car today!