How a Crossover Car Keeps Its Composure

Back in the 1980s when 4x4s started to become popular they were built like trucks on a frame chassis with a body unit sat on it. They had high ground clearance with a high centre of gravity, fat balloon like tyres with long travel suspension and sloppy steering. This meant they were unstable, had poor road holding, handling, comfort and safety.

They would have seemed secure if the drivers previous car was a 1970s rear wheel drive car.

Today Crossover SUV cars are built like cars. They have lower ground clearance and centre of gravity, lower profile tyres, shorter travel suspension and sharp steering. The Ford SUV, the Kuga is on a Ford Focus platform. The Tiguan and Yeti on a Golf platform. The Qashqai on a Megane platform.

This means Crossovers are more composed on the road. They're more stable, with better road holding, more predictable handling, even in emergency situations.

Crossovers are also more comfortable. The old soft tyres and suspension may have appeared comfortable. However a stable composed car is actually more comfortable.

Crossovers are also more enjoyable to drive if driving pleasure is a combination of driver comfort, secure handling and engine performance. Just look a the performance of the new BMW X3.

Regards
Ralph