It is difficult for many people to determine the major differences between SUVs and crossovers because they may seem like the same. The one aspect that can distinguish the two is the performance and drivetrains.

Crossovers

Smaller Capacity Engines
One of the major differences between SUVs and crossovers is that crossovers come with engines that are less powerful than SUVs. They usually come with 4- or 6-cylinder engines. These enable easy everyday driving although they are powerful. However, they fall short when compared to an SUV. In terms of performance, crossovers are similar to sedans.

Front-wheel-drive Systems
Crossovers usually come with the front-wheel-drive or FWD. In front-wheel-drive systems, the engine power is directed towards the front wheels of your vehicle. This means that it is your vehicle’s front wheels that are getting the power and not the back wheels of the vehicle. This is in contrast with the RWD that is available in SUVs.

Benefits of Front-wheel-drive Systems

• Front-wheel-drive systems are much cheaper to make when compared to the other drivetrain systems that are available and so they are readily available. Front-wheel-drive systems are less complex.
• Another benefit of front-wheel-drive systems is that they provide fuel efficiency. This is because the weight of the vehicle is decreased and the loss of energy is not there because power doesn’t need to be shifted from the front to the back.
• Front-wheel-drive systems enable you to better deal with the problem of fishtailing and make it easier to accelerate. Front-wheel-drive system helps improve traction which enables proper driving in different terrains.

Downsides of Front-wheel-drive Systems

• Heavy acceleration can cause you to go off balance because more power can be applied to one of the wheels at the front of the vehicle. This is due to the inability to turn sharply.
• Front-wheel-drive systems don’t last as long as rear-wheel-drive systems.
• Front-wheel-drive systems lead to wearing out of the front wheels much faster because all the weight is placed on them when you accelerate, brake, and steer.

SUVs

Larger Capacity Engines
Larger capacity engines are available in SUVs because these are made to ensure off-road driving is smoother. SUVs are similar to pickup trucks which is why they have high torque numbers and horsepower. SUVs are suitable when you are looking for a vehicle with an ability to tow. The ride won’t be as smooth when compared to a crossover.

Rear-wheel-drive Systems
SUVs come with rear-wheel-drive systems, and this is one of the major differences between SUVs and crossovers. A rear-wheel-drive system is the opposite of a front-wheel-drive system, and so in this, the power is directed to your vehicle’s rear wheels. In this case, the front wheels are not powered up and so they can be used to maneuver the vehicle.

Benefits of Rear-wheel-drive Systems

• Rear-wheel-drive systems enable you to reduce the chances of a torque steer which makes driving easier. There is a better balance in a rear-wheel-drive system.
• When you are driving on dry surfaces, the rear-wheel-drive systems are better because the start performance is improved.

Downsides of Rear-wheel-drive Systems

• There is more configuration required when you choose rear-wheel-drive systems. You need to accommodate a driveshaft so that power can be transferred to the rear tires.
• Rear-wheel-drive systems are less fuel-efficient than front-wheel-drive systems.
• Rear-wheel-drive systems are not as efficient as front-wheel-drive systems when there is snow or rain on the road because of loss of traction in these cases.

Both crossovers and SUVs can have an all-wheel-drive system or a 4WD option instead although you will need to pay extra for that.