The first myth: poor permeability
The most frequent complaint to the crossover can be called as “false permeability”. Automakers, of course, do their best to present their design as the car which is capable of everything. As for poor preparation for the road the claim is far-fetched many respects. Land Rover testers like to show on the ground in the English Gaydon some dizzying stunts on their glamorous Evoque and unpretentious Freelanders. Yes, you should know how to do this, and should clearly understand where the line of your vehicle features. But this is true for the most powerful SUVs. But on a slippery road there is a small nuance, which will allow you to get a full understanding with the crossover. Driving all-wheel-drive technology requires a small “migration” of driving habits, if you drove only in the front or rear wheel drive before.
On slippery surfaces crossover picks up speed much faster than other cars, and it creates a false sense of good traction with the road. Keep your distance and “probe” the road brakes! And in turn practically all crossovers behave like a front-wheel drive model. It is considered more secure: front wheel slid out, then throw the gas (everyone do it instinctively) and just back on the track.
Mercedes GLC, BMW X3 and Audi Q5 – which crossover to select?
The second myth about poor manageability
A separate category of fundamental crossovers haters are those who love and know how to drive fast, as it seems. From them, you can see that the higher the level of your life, the lower should be the center of gravity of your car. By this logic, the crossover is a transport of unlucky person. In addition to the high center of gravity, which in itself provides a deep roll in cornering, long-travel suspension and high profile tires prevent manageability of the car. Besides the crossover chassis are not set up for extreme driving. In general, from the point of view of anyone with petrol in the blood, purchase of crossover literally screams of your car spinelessness. Only it is a profound mistake.
BMW – choose the most well equipped crossover
Problems with the chassis crossover settings have been long resolved. For example, even the first generation of Ford Kuga was differed by minimum roll in bends due to the special geometry of the suspension (the engineers have brought the so-called roll center of the car to the center of mass). The result – quite “passenger” habits. And if you happen to ride on the Range Rover Evoque with active suspension MagneRide, then, believe that you will not find the best suspension for active driving. The specifics of this solution is that the shock absorbers of variable rigidity change their characteristics on the fly, remarkably fulfilling all the irregularities. There is an interesting effect: on the road “waves” car jumps a little, but doesn’t flop on travel stops suspension compression by the whole mass, as if an invisible hand picks up the body, protecting from the impact. No vertical swing!
Choose and compare one of the largest, most famous and expensive crossovers
Some argue that such a development can not be found in the massive crossover, which means that they are not able to give pleasure from driving. Not at all. Renault Duster with two-liter engine rides more fun than most of golf-Class models at least six months of the year. When getting speed on slippery surfaces wheel drive can not be replaced by anything. And incredibly energy-intensive suspension allows you to scurry on our natural irregularities, feeling yourself like a novice racer.
The third myth: most expensive
So, what model of crossover is the most worthy? Offhand let’s call several models on different purse that will stimulate your mind. Let’s go from expensive to the cheap ones. The most outstanding crossover at the moment is Porsche Macan. Only the uninitiated eye can compare this model with Audi Q5. In fact, they have only one third of the total components. It is the same all-wheel drive transmission PTM (Porsche Traction Management), like the other Porsche, which provides corporate “RWD” character. And motors – 340 and 400 hp – speak for themselves. However, the prices start from 45 thousand dollars.
In the range of 35 – 45 000 $ are such wonderful models like BMW X4 (245-306 hp) and Mercedes GLA AMG (360 hp). But “usual” GLA with simpler motors can be taken for less than 35 000 $. Range Rover Evoque is also an excellent choice.
Some more of less expensive options: an interesting option – a brand new Nissan X-Trail, which entered the market in 2015. And some other recognized bestsellers, such as Skoda Yeti, Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai. Their enormous popularity is well deserved.
What is the result?
With this choice it is much more difficult to understand who needs traditional classes of cars – sedans, hatchbacks, minivans, SUVs. Compact sedans which are rated by drivers around the world
According to statistics, sales of cars of all these classes are down for many years in Europe, and grow – just crossovers, which displace from the streets obsolete models and its modifications. The user has made his choice, and the auto industry headed for a total reshaping model series. Most brands have not one but several crossovers in the product line: small, medium, large. If it goes, all the other cars will be getting closer and closer to the concept of “niche model”. And in the market will prevail just solid crossovers.