Is it a SUV? Is it a CUV? Who cares?
When it comes to advertising for cars perception can be far from reality. Let’s face it few drivers understand the mechanical functions under the sheet metal. People generally understand how a car looks and how to use it. For the most part automotive advertising tells the part of the truth that sells cars. So wading through the quagmire of marketing pitches and zealous sales people to find the right ride for you can prove tricky. While automotive advertising claims are heavily scrutinized by the Federal Trade Commission advertisers find plenty of a gray area to craft messages that can range from slightly slanted to downright deceptive.` In an effort to retain the positive attributes of a sport-utility vehicles and crossovers manufactures often blur the line between the two.
Part car, part sport-ute, part wagon or something else?
One of the fastest growing automobile classes is the crossover utility vehicle (CUV). As people migrate from the once popular sport-utility vehicle (SUV) and minivan segments to enigmatic crossovers it is not clear what exactly a crossover is. Seemingly car companies offer a multitude of CUVs and SUVs that often overlap in terms of price, size and functionality. More and more SUVs are becoming CUVs while retaining SUV nameplates and credentials. Case in point, the Ford Explorer evolved from a Ranger compact pickup based SUV to today’s Taurus based iteration over the course of a couple of decades. It is now a full fledge CUV though Ford will not openly admit it. In an attempt to have their cake and eat it too Ford gave their latest CUV an SUV name and shape. And voilà: instant brand recognition and credibility!
What’s the difference?
When shopping for an SUV or CUV it may help to know the difference and what you are getting. But don’t take the car company’s word for it. You needn’t be a car buff to tell the difference. Simply use your Jeff Foxworthy sense. If you have to climb up into it, it might be an SUV. If it is available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive, it’s probably an SUV. If its city mileage is in the teens, it probably is a SUV. In its heyday the SUV moniker evoked feelings of brawn and ruggedness from its truck roots. SUVs melded those characteristics with the useful cargo and passenger capacity. Contemporary CUVs are simply an evolution of the SUV theme that eschews truck characteristic in deference to fuel economy and cabin accessibility. When selling or buying it’s best to shed past perceptions and evaluate prospective vehicles in total to figure out what you are really getting. Compare what characteristics are important you like fuel economy, towing, size and space. Look for exactly what you need and want. Be wary of the excess stuff what you don’t need or want. Paying for content you will rarely if ever use or value is sure fire way to spoil your ownership experience. In the end it’s all about your utility in a vehicle, not the label.