Today it is hard to drive around and not see crossovers frequently. Much like when the minivan was introduced in the mid 80’s, crossovers have become very popular. They even rival minivans and station wagons nowadays as the preferred car for families. There are few automakers today that do not include at least one crossover in their lineup.
Crossovers offer many unique attributes that have been taken from other types of cars and combined into a new class. They are larger than an average mid-sized sedan, similar to most SUVs. However, they handle much like those sedans instead of the jerky ride associated with most SUVS.
In the same manner that SUVs were created from a truck chassis, most crossovers use the chassis of a sedan. Few consumers will notice the difference between driving a sedan and a crossover in terms of performance. In fact, most crossovers feature V6 engines and some even have the option of a V8. In addition, they also offer the option of all-wheel drive.
They provide ample room for cargo and with most offering the option of fold-flat seats, few things will be too big for a crossover. Toyota entered the crossover market a few years ago with the Venza for the 2009 model year. It is a mid-range crossover with a base price of $26,475.
Crossovers were made to fill the gap between more expensive SUVS and less roomy sedans. However, they provide many safety features found in most SUVs like dual front airbags and side curtain airbags.
The 2009 Toyota Venza received a 5-star crash test rating from the NHTSA in the following categories:
- Frontal Driver
- Frontal Passenger
- Side Driver
- Side Rear Passenger
It also received a 4-star rating for rollover, making it an exceptionally safe car. Other standard safety features include:
- Vehicle Stability Control
- Traction control
- Electronic brakeforce distribution
- Brake Assist
- Anti-lock braking
Crossovers also feature a hatchback, similar to station wagons and could be considered the modern day equivalent. As the price of gas continues to rise, finding a vehicle that offers better fuel economy becomes a bigger concern. Most crossovers offer fuel economy similar to mid-sized sedans and average 25 miles per gallon on the highway.
Also, as the technology inside cars progresses, automakers continue to include all of these new features in crossovers. These cars can provide a luxury driving experience. In-dash navigation, rear-DVD entertainment systems, and surround sound speakers are just a few of the options available.