There are some major differences between SUVs and crossovers that many people forget about since these two vehicles come from the same family. However, companies market the two vehicles differently and it is essential to understand the fundamentals of both before opting to buy one. While crossovers are meant for travel within the city, and can also be promoted as a family car, SUVs are meant more for off-roading and longer rides in different terrains, allowing for a completely different experience.

Let us further understand the major differences between SUVs and crossovers.

How much do they weigh?
The biggest difference in SUVs and crossovers is in terms of weight, simply because of their construction. SUVs tend to be very heavy as compared to crossovers since they are constructed on a truck frame. They are heavier vehicles, which is why they use more power to move. On the other hand, crossovers are family vehicles that are built on a sedan frame and so they are lighter and not very powerful. If your priority while buying a vehicle is handling and fuel economy, it is suggested to ditch the SUV and go for a crossover, which will be suitable for city roads.

Which one is better at off-roading?
There is one clear winner if you consider this factor as the vehicle specially constructed for off-roading is an SUV. SUVs enjoy a smooth drive in all kinds of terrains, including forests, snow, gravel, road, or sand. There is higher ground clearance in SUVs, and so you can also cruise through uneven stone surfaces, which will be difficult for any other kind of terrain.

Built and platforms
The body of a crossover car is built from one single piece and this built is known as unibody construction. With this design, the crossovers are more agile and lightweight, and this feature makes them more fuel-efficient. On the other hand, the SUVs are built using a body-on-frame design. To put it simply, the frame and the body of the car are built separately and are later combined during the process of manufacturing. SUVs are truck-based vehicles, which makes them perfect for rough terrains. In fact, the built of an SUV is so strong that it can also be used to pull heavy payloads. This is one of the major differences between an SUV and a crossover.

Which are the best ones to buy in 2020?
Once you have understood the major differences between an SUV and a crossover, there is a variety of options to choose from. Here are the best-rated ones that you can pick this year.

SUV

2020 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited: The off-roading abilities of this beast make it one of its kind in the entire SUV segment. It comes with an open-air driving option and is available with a diesel engine and 2- and 4-door trims. In 2020, it is coming with a 2.0-liter turbo engine with an eTorque standard. Also, there are expanded engine options available in all models.

Crossover

2020 MAZDA CX-5: If you are looking for a family car that has stylish interiors and exteriors, this car should be your pick this year. The car is equipped with several useful standard types of equipment and its driving dynamics are guaranteed to leave you impressed. In 2020, the car comes equipped with more standard driving assistance and better collision avoidance technology.