The term “crossover” in the automotive world might seem relatively new, but the concept has been brewing for decades. While the marketing buzzword took hold later, the idea of a vehicle blending car-like comfort with SUV practicality began much earlier. The Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) surged in popularity during the late 1980s and early 1990s, largely as a more refined and comfortable evolution of the truck. SUVs were—and remain—robust and capable across diverse terrains, with “utility” being their defining characteristic. However, the mid-1990s witnessed the emergence of what we now recognize as the Crossover Car, offering a different blend of attributes.
While a definitive, official definition of a crossover car remains elusive, it’s generally understood as an SUV-styled vehicle built upon a car’s chassis or platform. Essentially, a crossover car prioritizes the everyday usability and practicality reminiscent of an SUV, but often compromises on outright off-road prowess and towing capacity to achieve superior on-road handling and fuel efficiency, more akin to a traditional sedan or hatchback. In the mid-1990s, automotive manufacturers began designing crossovers to cater to families, emphasizing user-friendliness and incorporating a raised ride height to confidently navigate varied road surfaces. Many crossover models also offered all-wheel-drive, either as standard or as an available option, enhancing their appeal for drivers seeking all-weather capability. Interestingly, the first genuine attempt at a crossover vehicle in the US actually predates this period, appearing as early as 1980. This is where our journey into the history of the crossover car begins.
AMC Eagle (1980-1982): The Unsung Pioneer of the Crossover Car
The late 1970s and early 1980s were a tumultuous era for the American automotive industry, often referred to as the Malaise era. Amidst this challenging period, the AMC Eagle emerged, a vehicle significant for its innovative approach despite its somewhat polarizing aesthetics. While its styling might not have won beauty contests, looking beyond the surface reveals the Eagle’s pioneering role in automotive history. Essentially a station wagon at its core, the Eagle distinguished itself with a significantly lifted suspension, granting it increased ride height, and a standard permanent all-wheel-drive system. While Subaru had introduced the four-wheel-drive Leone station wagon earlier in 1972, its lack of raised suspension makes it less of a direct crossover precursor.
The AMC Eagle, while not designed for extreme off-roading, excelled in providing all-weather driving confidence and respectable fuel economy for its time. It was undeniably ahead of its time, acting as a true harbinger of the crossover car segment that would later flourish.
Jeep Cherokee XJ (1983-2001): Bridging the Gap Between SUV and Crossover
If you’re seeking the crucial link connecting the traditional SUV and the modern crossover car, the Jeep Cherokee XJ is it. The Cherokee XJ represents a pivotal point in automotive design, serving as both a precursor to the contemporary SUV and a significant step towards the crossover. Jeep marketed it as a “Sportwagon,” tapping into the burgeoning trend of suburban families transitioning from conventional station wagons to taller, more rugged-looking vehicles. The Cherokee XJ’s crossover DNA lies in the fact that while it retained genuine off-road capability, it also adopted a unibody chassis construction and was notably more compact than the full-size Cherokee model it effectively replaced.
The significance of the Cherokee XJ is often underestimated. It not only surpassed its predecessor, the Cherokee SJ, in off-road performance but also achieved a remarkable weight reduction of 1,200 lbs thanks to its unibody frame. It stood four inches lower, yet boasted improved ground clearance. Furthermore, it was 31 inches shorter and six inches narrower, all while sacrificing only ten percent of interior volume compared to the larger Cherokee SJ.
Toyota RAV4 (1994–Present): The Crossover Car Takes Center Stage
The actual term “crossover” gained traction in the late 1990s, coinciding with the arrival of the Toyota RAV4. Although a formal definition remained absent, the RAV4 embodied the essence of a crossover: a robust vehicle built on a car platform with available all-wheel-drive. By this understanding, the Toyota RAV4 was arguably the first true crossover car to hit the market. It also holds the distinction of being the first subcompact crossover. Adding to its list of firsts, in 1997, the RAV4 became the first electric crossover available, showcasing Toyota’s early foray into electric vehicle technology within this segment.
The first-generation RAV4 utilized a newly developed platform, borrowing components from Toyota’s Carina and Corolla models. The name RAV4 stands for ‘Recreational Activity Vehicle 4-wheel drive,’ although initial models were offered with front-wheel-drive in certain markets. It sat nine inches taller than a Camry sedan, approximately 1.5 inches lower than a Ford Explorer SUV, and incorporated a sophisticated rear suspension system that mirrored the trailing arm setup typically found in trucks and SUVs, contributing to its balanced ride and handling.
Subaru Forester (1997–Present): Japan’s Continued Crossover Innovation
Japanese automakers maintained their lead in the crossover car evolution as American brands primarily focused on light truck-based SUVs well into the mid-2000s. Japanese manufacturers strategically promoted crossovers as a modern alternative to station wagons, which had experienced a decline in popularity during the 1990s. Honda introduced the CR-V in 1997, and in the same year, Subaru launched the Subaru Forester. The Forester was based on the Impreza platform, but featured a higher ride height, an elevated seating position, a boxy wagon-style body, and Subaru’s signature symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, powered by the 2.5-liter boxer engine derived from the Subaru Outback. Subaru’s marketing for the first-generation Outback emphasized its “SUV tough, Car Easy” nature. In the US market, the Forester’s low center of gravity met safety standards, exempting it from the “risk of rollover” warning label typically required on driver’s sun visors in SUVs of the time.
Honda HR-V (1998–2006, 2014–Present): The Rise of the Subcompact Crossover Car
While the first generation Honda HR-V wasn’t available in America, it marked the beginning of the subcompact crossover car’s growing prominence. It competed with the short-wheelbase version of the Toyota RAV4, even in its five-door configuration. All-wheel-drive was offered as an option, and selecting this option was the only way to get the more powerful VTEC engine variant. The “real-time 4WD” system was an advanced feature, hydraulically engaging when the front wheels detected a loss of traction. The second-generation HR-V debuted at the 2014 New York International Auto Show, sharing its platform with the Honda Fit. It evolved into a five-door subcompact SUV with optional all-wheel drive, solidifying its position in the burgeoning subcompact crossover segment.
Lexus RX (1998–present): Entering the Luxury Crossover Car Arena
The year 1998 witnessed the emergence of the first luxury crossover car, the Lexus RX. Initially introduced as a compact luxury crossover, the Lexus RX transitioned to a mid-size luxury crossover in 2003. It achieved strong sales in its first generation in Japan, marketed as the Harrier, and gained significant popularity in the US market, where it has consistently sold exceptionally well ever since. The concept of blending luxury sedan attributes with SUV practicality was envisioned by Lexus executives as early as 1993. The production model RX materialized as a sophisticated fusion of SUV, wagon, and sedan characteristics. All-wheel-drive was available as an option, complementing the four-cylinder or V6 engine choices. A “Snow” mode feature was also incorporated, instructing the RX to initiate starts in second gear for enhanced traction control in slippery conditions.
Ford Escape (2000–Present): American Automakers Join the Crossover Car Race
It wasn’t until the 2001 model year that an American manufacturer entered the burgeoning crossover car market. However, Japanese expertise played a role, as the Ford Escape was initially a collaborative project with Mazda. Full-time all-wheel-drive was offered as an option, with the system supplied by Dana incorporating a locking center differential for enhanced off-road capability. The standard all-wheel-drive system was Ford’s proprietary Control Trac II 4WD, utilizing a rotary blade coupling to distribute power to the rear wheels when front wheel slippage was detected.
The third-generation Escape was designed in Europe as the Ford Kuga and subsequently rebadged for the US market, while the fourth-generation Escape is manufactured in the US and rebadged as the Kuga in other markets. This generation also marked the return of a plug-in hybrid option, last seen in the second-generation Escape, reflecting the growing trend towards electrification in the automotive industry.
Subaru Crosstrek (2012–Present): Elevating the Hatchback to Crossover Status
Subaru wasn’t the first automaker to lift an existing hatchback model, but their decision to utilize the Impreza platform for this purpose proved to be a strategic success. Back in 1982, Volkswagen experimented with the Golf Mk2 Syncro, which received a lift and added accessories, described by Volkswagen as suitable for “medium off-road driving.” However, it wasn’t quite the right vehicle for the concept.
The Impreza provided an ideal foundation for the Subaru Crosstrek, given its long-standing reputation for all-weather capability and Subaru’s renowned Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. The Crosstrek comfortably outsold the Impreza in its first generation. For the current second generation, launched in 2017, the Crosstrek transitioned to Subaru’s global platform. In 2020, the powertrain was upgraded to Subaru’s SI-Drive powertrain management system, borrowed from the Subaru Forester and Subaru WRX, further enhancing its performance and driving dynamics.
Hyundai Kona EV (2017–Present): The Electric Crossover Car Emerges
The crossover car, in its essence as a raised hatchback with an elevated seating position, has become a mainstream automotive concept. Hyundai embraced the raised subcompact hatchback idea and capitalized on its inherent lightweight nature to introduce an electric variant. The Hyundai Kona EV utilizes the same all-electric powertrain as the Kia Niro, offering battery options of 39.2 kWh and 64 kWh, boasting a range of up to 258 miles. The Kona EV achieved recognition as the first subcompact crossover SUV to win the 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year award. While all-wheel-drive is available, the Kona EV is primarily designed as a city car, not intended for serious off-road adventures. The Hyundai Venue takes the raised hatchback concept even further, but without an EV option and with a length five inches shorter than the Kona, catering to a different segment of urban drivers.
Land Rover Discovery (1989–Present): Blurring the Lines Between SUV and Crossover Car
The Land Rover Discovery serves as a compelling example of how the distinction between SUV and crossover car is becoming increasingly blurred, or perhaps, illustrating how effectively automakers can merge the two concepts. Launched in 1989, the Discovery initially positioned itself as a more premium alternative to the utilitarian Land Rover Defender and a more accessible option compared to the Range Rover. However, the third-generation Discovery, introduced in 2017, departed from the traditional angular design of its predecessors. It shifted towards a less utility-focused, more family-oriented design, becoming a significantly more refined and aerodynamic road vehicle. Despite this evolution, it retains its robust foundation, built on the same unibody platform as the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. Every Discovery model comes equipped with Land Rover’s Terrain Response suite, including a rock crawl mode, underscoring its inherent off-road DNA. Options include a two-speed transfer case and an automatic locking differential, further enhancing its off-road capabilities.
Like many contemporary vehicles, the Land Rover Discovery occupies a grey area between SUV and crossover car. It embodies SUV characteristics with its inherent off-road prowess and standard all-wheel-drive, yet also embraces crossover values as a luxurious family vehicle, offering three-row seating, a traditional hatchback configuration, and a more car-like driving experience, perfectly exemplifying the modern crossover car’s versatile nature.
