Crossover SUV

A crossover SUV, crossover utility vehicle, or CUV is a type of SUV that is based on a unibody structure. These cars are usually lighter than heavier body-on-frame SUVs. The term was first used on the 1979 'AMC Eagle', and the first modern example is the 1994 Toyota RAV4. Unlike general SUVs that are usually all-wheel drive, or four-wheel drive, crossovers tend to also have an option of all-wheel, rear-wheel, or front-wheel drive.

Vehicles in this segment are usually based on a car/unibody platform, typically used on sedans, station wagons, and hatchbacks. Since the late 2010s, crossovers have started replacing minivans.

Peugeot 3008

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Advantages

CUVs have three advantages over SUVs:

• CUVs are often lighter than SUVs and therefore offer better fuel efficiency.
• CUVs are lower to the ground than SUVs, are safer, and have better road handling.
• CUVs are generally cheaper to produce.