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May 4, 2007
Channelling the crossover
The multitasking CUV is the latest big craze in the auto market.
DAN HEYMAN
We've seen them on the streets, in mall parking lots across the
country and in every other advertisement during the broadcast of
your favorite sports team. I'm talking about the love 'em or hate
'em phenomenon of the sports utility vehicle (SUV). They might be
very practical, but with today's soaring gas prices, their practicality
is undermined by their thirst.
So what options do we have if we need the seating capacity and luggage
space of an SUV, but we don't want to restrict ourselves to the
sometimes bus-like confines of a minivan? There are none, right?
We have to either save up for gas or find a way to add some excitement
to our minivan. But wait. There is a third choice, a market that
is rapidly gaining momentum: the CUV, or the crossover-utility vehicle.
So what is a CUV, or crossover, and does it really have the ability
to bridge the gap between the minivan and the SUV market?
It can be said that the roots of the CUV go back to the late '80s,
when Suzuki, known mainly for its motorcycles, released what was
then considered an off-road version of the popular family station
wagon, the Sidekick. This was even before minivans held the portion
of the market that they do today, and the station wagon was the
premier choice when it came to hustling your family around town.
But these "wagons" could never generate real excitement
in their owners, and the market needed to be spiced up. Thus, the
Sidekick, with its peppy little four-cylinder engine and high ride
height, became all the rage, and the crossover SUV was born.
Now, after two decades of maturation, the market segment has skyrocketed
and we're seeing a complete spectrum of options, from sporty runabouts
to luxury models powered by technologically advanced hybrid engines.
While these vehicles can, at first glance, be seen simply as small
off-roaders, it takes a ride in one to appreciate the true focus
of the vehicle. Granted, they can be used to cruise away from the
beaten path, but their performance on the road is what impresses.
Jeep's new vehicle, the Compass, initially appears to be nothing
more than a shrunken version of the ever-popular Cherokee. However,
while the Compass portrays the classic ruggedness associated with
the Jeep brand, it also manages to look tight and sporty. Here we
see a great example of the appeal of the CUV. Unlike a Jeep Cherokee,
which could be seen as cumbersome in the urban setting, the driver
of the new vehicle can be just as happy doing a milk run as he or
she would be making their way to a provincial park for a camping
trip. While the Compass may not match the storage capacity of a
larger SUV, the vehicle features a 60/40 rear seat split, allowing
plenty of storage space while maintaining a comfortable environment
for the family.
Of course, families do tend to expand, so losing one seat in the
back may no longer be a feasible option. While the Compass is a
good example of the CUV trend, it represents the smaller side of
the spectrum. In what seems like a bit of an oxymoron, in many cases
the small size of these vehicles is their biggest attraction. However,
if size becomes an issue, there are options. Take Nissan's Murano,
for example. Like Jeep, Nissan has a strong history in the SUV market,
but unlike Jeep, Nissan is also very well known for the sports cars
and sedans in its lineup.
As a result, the Murano represents a different form of crossover,
one in which an SUV is crossed with a sports sedan. The Murano even
shares its V6 engine, the VQ, with vehicles like the sporty Maxima.
Even the Nissan 350Z, a pure sports car, is powered by a modified
version of the VQ. As a result, the Murano is a vehicle that can
easily transport a four-person family on a camping trip, as well
as overtake smoothly on steep mountain roads and cruise comfortably
at highway speeds. Unlike a full-size SUV, however, the Murano is
given an esthetically pleasing slippery shape, as opposed to the
typical "two box design" of most SUVs.
From the Murano, we take one more step up the ladder of luxury to
the Lexus RX400h, proudly proclaimed "the world's first luxury
hybrid SUV" by Toyota's luxury division. The RX400h is roughly
equal in size to the Murano, but features Lexus's "hybrid synergy
drive" engine. If Nissan was at the forefront of the crossover
movement, Toyota is at the forefront of the hybrid movement, featuring
more hybrid vehicles in its lineup than any other company. It was
only natural that after experimenting with compact sedans like the
Prius, and then bigger sedans like the ever-popular Camry, Toyota/Lexus
would eventually experiment with hybrid SUVs. Being a Lexus, the
RX400h is one of the most, if not the most, luxurious option in
the crossover spectrum, with features like sideview mirrors that
reduce glare from other vehicles' headlights and a stylish interior
featuring brushed aluminum accents.
The real question from the crossover standpoint, however, is whether
a vehicle powered by a hybrid engine can cope with the demands inflicted
upon a CUV. While hybrid motors feel right at home at low city speeds,
are they capable of sustained highway speeds? Can they climb steep
mountain passes?
"The common misconception with these vehicles is that they
can't match the power outputs of vehicles powered by standard petrol
engines," explained Regency Lexus saleman John Rundle. "In
fact, the electric motor actually provides quicker responses in
many situations. And, as a plus, the electric motor is quieter than
many traditional engines, adding a new level of comfort to the ride."
Three vehicles, three different interpretations of the crossover.
It is a segment that is only going to continue to improve over the
next few years, as more and more people begin to ask for more flexibility
from their cars. Whether your interests involve spending a significant
portion of leisure time outdoors, or being able to move your family
around town in a comfortable yet efficient way, there is a crossover
that will fit your needs. Better yet, should your interests change,
chances are your crossover can adapt, which is, in effect, the goal
of the market.
Dan Heyman is a student at Simon Fraser University.
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