While these truck/car hybrids offer less than the more truck-like SUV fore bearers capability (they aren't typically built for off-road travel or tow as much), crossovers are just as spacious, offer better fuel economy and are, bottom line, more of what a family needs. I asked Jody Victor to tell us more.
Jody Victor : After years of buying burly sport-utility vehicles meant more for rocky moonscapes than America's tame thoroughfares, consumers are turning to more realistic transportation in the utility category: the crossover. Check out these top five choices from msn.com.
Audi Q5 - Based on the sporty A4 sedan and wagon platform, the Q5 is one of the best-handling crossovers on the market. While it doesn't have nearly as much cargo space as the Rx, the Q5 is competitive in terms of passenger space. The small ute comes with only one engine, a 270-horsepower 3.2-liter V6 that gets things moving nicely, propelling the vehicle from zero to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds. Plus, it can tow up to 4,400 pounds, which is impressive for a small crossover. The starting price of $37,000 is par for the class, but it will be too high for some buyers.
GMC Acadia - The Acadia's footprint is actually larger than that of the Chevy Tahoe, and it has more cargo space (117 cubic feet versus 108.9 cubic feet). Despite its size, the Acadia goes just as easy on gas as the smaller Honda Pilot, and rear-drive models are actually rated one mpg higher for highway fuel economy. The Acadia can tow up to 5,200 pounds, too. You should consider a full-size truck-type SUV only if you need more towing capacity. Bottom line: These are pleasant, efficient vehicles that have changed family transportation for the better.
Ford Flex - Accommodating up to seven passengers and offering 83.2 cubic feet of cargo volume, the Flex makes a great family vehicle to take the kids to practice or pick up supplies at Home Depot. Based on the same platform as the Volvo 580, the Flex offers a car-like ride and handling characteristics that belie its considerable size. It can also tow up to 4,500 pounds. Don't let the odd styling keep you from checking this one out.
Hyundai Santa Fe - While the Santa Fe had been sold since the 2001 model year, it was the 2007 redesign that turned this vehicle into a winner. Riding on what is now the last generation of the mid-size Sonata sedan platform, the Santa Fe apes the highly successful RAV4 by offering 4-cylinder or V6 power and 5- or 7-passenger seating. It has up to 78.2 cubic feet of cargo space, 3 cubic feet more that the larger Toyota 4Runner. Towing capacity tops out at 3,500 pounds. Though it is almost as big as some mid-size SUVs, it is priced to compete with compacts.
Volvo XC60 - The XC90 was the first vehicle to offer Roll Stability Control, which uses the electronic stability control to help prevent rollovers. For 2010, Volvo followed the lead of many other automakers by splitting its crossover lineup into 5-and 7-passenger offerings with the release of the smaller 5-passenger XC60. Like the XC90, the XC60 scored a safety first by offering City Safety, a nifty system that can detect and imminent accident at speeds of less than 19 mph and automatically apply the brakes to prevent the crash or lessen its severity.The XC60 has a towing capacity of 3,300 pounds and interior cargo space of 67.4 cubic feet. It rides and handles well, and it offers two strong engines.
Thanks, Jody! We'll be sure to check these out!