Some people might not take up a particular crossover because they consider it to be too “soft” or lacking the appeal of more mainstream vehicles. There are trucks, SUVs, and cars that are marketed more toward one demographic than others. For instance, a red Mini Cooper isn’t trying to look tough or boast a heavy payload. On the other hand, a big black Ram 1500 pickup truck appeals to those who want a more aggressive aesthetic.
So, can crossovers look aggressive? Yes. A crossover is a vehicle with an SUV body style on a unibody frame. You don’t necessarily need to buy a truck just because you prefer a more rugged exterior.
Regardless of the aesthetic appeal of a particular vehicle, it still attracts all kinds of buyers. For example, consider the Kia Telluride. It is a crossover that has a rugged look!
Crossover or SUV?
There are some SUVs that actually fit into the crossover category. A vehicle must have a body-on-frame construction for it to be considered an SUV. Consider Toyota Highlander v/s Toyota 4Runner— different capability and construction, but similar size. Simply put, a crossover is a vehicle built on a car’s platform, and an SUV is a vehicle based on a truck’s platform.
Since the Kia Telluride shares underpinnings with models like the Kia K5 and the Kia Sorento, technically, it’s a crossover. The rise in popularity of crossovers has enabled larger SUV-style vehicles to ride smoother and use less fuel. While they end up losing some of their capability, the sacrifice is worth it.
Do Crossovers Actually Compare to More Aggressive Trucks?
The rugged, durable, and tough Toyota Tacoma is one of the more aggressive smaller pickup trucks on the market. Crossovers like the Kia Sorento and the Toyota RAV4 have shifted toward more aggressive exterior styling. However, the Tacoma outshines every other crossover when it comes to sheer rugged capability.
The rugged look that most crossover SUVs have lately adopted shows that people prefer a more versatile and well-rounded vehicle. Studies suggest that vehicles are no longer exclusively marketed toward men but have been created to accommodate the varying lifestyles of different consumers. There is a definite appeal in a crossover that has the rugged look and feel of an SUV, rides smoothly like a car, and is decently capable.
