Crossing Over? (Crossover thread)

[Ctowner]

What kind of lifestyle would you guys say commands a crossover SUV type vehicle? Something like the Dodge Journey or the CX9....

Awesome cars, the Journey seems like a better deal, and nice features...

But they are not really family cars. More like... Partying couples? Empty nesters makes sense...


Any thoughts?

[Slick61]

Originally Posted by Ctowner

What kind of lifestyle would you guys say commands a crossover SUV type vehicle? Something like the Dodge Journey or the CX9....

Awesome cars, the Journey seems like a better deal, and nice features...

But they are not really family cars. More like... Partying couples? Empty nesters makes sense...


Any thoughts?

strange question... but I'll take a crack at it. If you want something with more utility than a car, will carry 4 pasengers in comfort, the ability to tote a lot of stuff, & maybe do some LIGHT off-roading (fire trails, etc.), a cross-over may be for you.

I don't worry too much about what other people think of my vehicle choices. I sold a Lincoln Mark VIII LSC & a ford ranger, and bought a cross-over:



It's really just a tall car, but it's comfortable, surprisingly roomy inside, and gets great mileage. I was sold on my particular cross-over ('04 Saturn Vue) for several reasons:

I liked the seating position. Had enough room to haul all my camping gear (or whatever), the Honda V6 engine & transmission are smooth as butter, it gets about 20 mpg city & 26-28 mpg hwy, it has dent-resistant polymer panels (a blessing in/around Los Angeles), has LOADS of power (250 hp/tq), feels light-on-its-feet, & is a nice, tidy size... perfect for maneuvering the tight confines of L.A.

Anyhow, that's my 2 cents worth...

[Setec Astronomy]

I don't see why you need to pigeonhole a crossover-SUV owner, but I take exception to your statement that a crossover is not a "family" car. Why not? IMO it's the truck-based SUV's that are not "family" cars.

Does my neighbor really need a Denali XL with a 6.2l engine to take the kids to soccer practice and bring the groceries home? Even though it's got a meager payload capability for something built on a full-size truck chassis (1500 lbs), I've never seen them load anything in it except the 3 kids and some suitcases for a trip to the airport. Maybe she needs that 4WD and huge ground clearance to take the kids to school in the snow...except that they take the bus and they cancel school if there's more than 2" of snow, anyway. Or maybe it's the impressive exhaust note that makes me think the UPS truck is here every time she starts it up.

In the old days, families had station wagons. They were built on car chassis', shared the driveline and interiors with sedans (for the most part, sometimes the wagons would have a more beach-friendly interior or a bit bigger engine), and acted like, well, the family car, until you wanted to fold the seat down and put a sheet of plywood back there (gee, I wonder if you can do that in a Denali XL...)

For my money a crossover IS a family car...much more so than a gussied up work truck that the car companies can make a fortune on because they've been making them the same way since 1967. Ok...that's not entirely fair, in recent years they've updated the truck designs a bit...because they finally got caught making "trucks" for general consumption that were exempt from emissions, fuel economy, and safety standards that applied to cars...but that loophole got closed.

[Ctowner]

You guys are making some sense. Good call, Setec.

A crossover like Slick's Saturn would definitely work for families, but a minivan is a better option for 'space' and lugging kids around all the time.

The crossovers seem to have less space but a more stylish feel to them. I know in the Journey there are some cool compartments for storage and a really sleek exterior that makes it more young feeling.

What do you guys make of the 5 + 2 seating layouts?

[Slick61]

Originally Posted by Ctowner

The crossovers seem to have less space but a more stylish feel to them.

... more or less true... less space than a minivan, but more stylish... and several have the capability for some light off-roading. Is also a valid option for those susceptible to the "minivan/soccer-mom stigma"

As a single male, I am no where NEAR the target demographic... but it works for me. Is not the most macho of vehicles, but have another toy more suited to those times when I'm feeling a little emasculated (see gallery).