What's the best crossover 4x4 SUV?

It's a question often asked. It depends what they mean by crossover, 4x4 and SUV. It's then complicated by features like performance, comfort, versatility, durability, reliability, style, prestige, economy, emissions, safety, car insurance costs.



You've then got a wide range of engine and trim options to consider.



And of course, it depends what the vehicle will be used for - all-terrain, off-road, on-road, load carrying, towing or work-horse. In the US some salespeople sell SUVs as all-weather vehicles.

So there's a lot to consider and a mountain of myths to dispel before you decide which is the best crossover 4x4 SUV for you. But I'll give it a go in a series of posts. Let's define crossover, 4x4 and SUV today with more to follow and look at features from performance to safety in later posts.

If we go back to the beginning and the 1969 Land Rover Range Rover to get some idea of a pure concept and take the story from there. I was actually selling these cars at the time in Devon and went on their driving course - I've still got the certificate.

The original Range Rover was a two-door estate car body with tall windows giving it a high roof and large load capacity. This was sat on a ladder frame chassis with an old US V8 and 4x4. At the time it was quick, fast and stable. It had rubber floor covering and rubber/plastic seats which were very comfortable. It looked basic with external door, bonnet and tailgate hinges.

It had amazing capabilities above the climbing and descending of hills. What I witnessed farmers, water men and instructors do with the Range Rover, I can't tell you in case you try to do it a home.

Then things took a turn. The Royal Family were often spotted in Range Rovers. By the mid-seventies Sloan Street Rangers and later Yuppies caught on to the fact that if they spoke in a posh voice, wore wax jackets or horse patterned headscarves and put a pair of green wellies on the backseat, they could pretend they were connected and had a seat in the Shires.

By the mid-eighties Mitsubishi, Nissan and Toyota introduced cheaper substitutes and everyone wanted to pretend they were a toff. 4x4s were for social climbing rather than hill climbing.

Come the 90s and the criticisms start to creep in and grow to the extent the SUV was public enemy #1 by the mid-noughties.

We'll deal with each criticism when we look at each feature. Basically buyers like SUVs as big family cars but they don't need what goes with 4x4s. A crossover is a combination of SUV, 4x4 ideas and car concepts to address concerns about handling, economy, CO2s and safety. And then there's the question do they really need all-terrain 4x4 capability when most never go off-road.

A crossover is a SUV built like a car - not a truck - with limited, if any 4x4 capability. A wider range of more efficient, economical, planet friendly engines and transmissions are available. They handle better and safety is improving. You still get the versatility and tonka-toy looks. You won't look quite the tough-guy or toff anymore.

That's the story behind crossovers. We'll go into 4x4 capabilities and SUV myths later, along with all the criticisms and solutions.

Regards
Ralph