An article about crossovers and station wagons - their advantages and disadvantages, comparisons in various parameters. At the end of the article - an interesting video about off-road crossovers and station wagons.

The content of the article:

The choice of a car depends on many factors that are individual for each driver: gasoline or diesel engine, urban or off-road purpose, color, technical filling, and body type. Even the same model can have several body variations, which sometimes confuses buyers. For example, station wagon and crossover bodies have many similarities, but no less differences. How do you compare them? How fundamental are the disadvantages and do they outweigh the advantages?

The main features of crossovers and station wagons

Crossovers it is not for nothing that they are also called "SUVs" - these are urban SUVs, whose cross-country ability is good on broken roads and when parking on elevations. However, when caught in truly rural areas, they will be as helpless as regular sedans.

The car has a North American ancestry, where they are equipped mainly with front-wheel drive, and only a few external signs associate them with harsh SUVs.

In Russia, they traditionally mixed everything into one heap, making SUVs all-wheel drive and attributing nonexistent qualities to them.

Station wagons do not have such a high seating position, cross-country ability and a combination of power with compact dimensions, although in the automotive annals there are cases of turning a station wagon into a crossover, which happened with the Audi A6 Allroad.

Station wagon - a combination of a sedan with a hatchback, a rare long-liver in the car market. In the Soviet Union, "Moskvich" presented its version of the station wagon, called the "Combi". Behind him appeared the VAZ 2102, which can fully be called the first real domestic station wagon.

If crossovers are preferred by young, daring people, the station wagon is a roomy family car. A huge trunk will allow the whole family to travel with a mountain of things or go with seedlings to the country, without losing dynamic qualities and visual appeal.

Thus, the Audi RS 6 will surpass not only sedans, but even coupes with its speed performance. Under the hood, this seemingly absolute "housewife's assistant" has 560 horsepower, which overcome a hundred in just 3.9 seconds.

Now let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of a representative of each of these families.

Crossover: advantages

What qualities allow SUVs to dominate all automotive markets from Russia and Europe to Africa and Australia?

Overview

Wide seats, high seating position of the driver make the driving process very comfortable and provide great visibility, practically eliminating blind spots.

Safety

Research by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has shown that despite the high reliability performance of sedans and hatchbacks, they are far from the safety demonstrated by crossovers. Even in the event of an accident, SUV drivers receive much less personal injury and damage on the car.

Capacity

The crossover can accommodate more passengers than any other passenger car, excluding, of course, the minivan. The car market offers models with 3 rows of seats, wide enough to accommodate not only children or things, but also adults.

With this indicator, the crossover breaks the stereotype that it cannot become a family car.

Trunk

Even if this interior capacity was not enough for a trip on vacation or out of town with a large company, an increased trunk volume is at your service.

Large, but outwardly compact, very roomy, passable crossover becomes a universal transport for all categories of drivers and any functional purpose.

Towing

For active people, the ability of a crossover to carry fairly heavy loads will be indispensable. He can tow a trailer with a motorcycle, snowmobile and boat, even with a light camper. Of course, in everything you need to know the boundaries and not use the SUV as a cargo truck.

Ground clearance

The most significant advantage of this class of cars, which allows you to operate it both in urban realities and on dirt roads. This quality will be especially noticeable in winter, when any routes become impassable.

Profitability

With all of the above advantages, crossovers are also very economical cars, in some cases even superior in fuel consumption to small sedans. Most models are equipped with small turbocharged engines, which, together with a low air resistance coefficient, will significantly save the owner's budget on fuel.

Styling

Not the most basic characteristic, but also important. Modern cars often lack some kind of originality, rough attractiveness, unique style. The latest generation of crossovers have breathed novelty into automotive design that has somewhat depleted the imagination of sedans and station wagons.

The advantages of station wagons

The popularity of these bodies has dropped significantly in recent years, but deservedly so?

Functionality

As we've already found, crossovers are impressively roomy, but station wagons are in no way inferior to them in this characteristic. It has superior cabin comfort and a large interior space with less weight than the competition. And a large proportion of models have the additional function of installing spare seats, if you need to transport a group of people over 5 people.

Dynamics

Compared to SUVs, station wagons have a low center of gravity. Why is it needed? The difference will be felt during acceleration, when, with the same technical qualities and power units, the station wagon will leave the rival far behind.

Car enthusiasts mistakenly write station wagons into cars for housewives and retired summer residents. The car market offers a wide range of powerful, sedan-like sports models, such as the Mercedes AMG E-Class station wagon.

Profitability

Low seating position, lower ground clearance reduces air resistance, which contributes to fuel economy. Directly affects the consumption and light weight of the car. If you buy a diesel, then the economic benefit compared to a crossover will be fantastic.

Four-wheel drive

As already mentioned, all-wheel drive crossovers are supplied to Russia, incredibly stable and reliable on the roads. But modern station wagons have an all-wheel drive system similar to the SUV. Here are just such models are several times cheaper than crossovers with the same cross-country ability and maneuverability. And Audi Allroad has almost the same ground clearance as a crossover.

By the way, experts say that the handling of all-wheel drive station wagons is much higher than that of rivals.

Uncommon

Every second car owner now drives SUVs, so you won't surprise anyone with such a car. But it is impossible not to notice the station wagon on the road. Thus, the consumer who has made a choice in favor of this type of body will not only receive a functional and reliable car, but also a striking one.

Crossover: disadvantages

With so many advantages, can a crossover have any disadvantages?

The cost

The first and main drawback. Of course, the price of crossovers significantly exceeds the cost of any station wagon. This is due to the higher durability of the undercarriage parts, the body structure and, in general, the greater amount of material used for production.

By the way, most SUV owners are sure that durability guarantees them a low probability of breakdowns. It is important to understand that the chassis is reinforced primarily to support the weight of the body.

Operating costs

Initially, having laid out a large sum for a new car, the owner will have to pour impressive funds into it further. He will have to overpay for minor and major repairs, seasonal rubber change, oil change and other services. Even the evacuation of the crossover is estimated more expensive than the same station wagon due to its weight and size.

Fuel

Although we have already talked about the economy of crossovers, compared to station wagons, they are much more voracious. The same engine on both cars will show completely different consumption - why? Because the crossover is heavier, larger and, by definition, has four-wheel drive, which together adds additional liters to the consumption.

Cons of the station wagon

Status

Stereotypes are too strong in the minds of car owners, and since station wagons have never been very popular, now they are completely replaced by sedans and crossovers. Even with all their advantages, a rare driver thinks about purchasing this particular type of body, which seems inelegant and clumsy.

Passability

Despite the fact that all-terrain wagons are now entering the market, in general terms, even their best representatives are still worse than any average crossover.

Parking

The elongated body will make it difficult to park in urban environments. Where the crossover takes one place, the station wagon will be located on all two. In traffic jams, narrow alleys, in the courtyards of the residential area crowded with cars, the owner of the station wagon will have to work hard to find enough space for his "ship".

It is impossible to unequivocally answer the question of which type of body is better. The purpose for which the car is purchased, the terrain and the conditions in which it is supposed to operate are important here. And, of course, the personal preferences of each particular motorist.

Off-road crossovers and station wagons videos:

A station wagon is a type of car body, akin to a sedan, an excellent option for a roomy family car with an increased volume of the luggage compartment and an additional lifting door in the rear. The passenger compartment and trunk in this car are a single space, i.e. 2-volume machine. Compared to the standard city hatchback, it has a longer rear overhang and large overall dimensions. Station wagons allow you to get huge free space for loading by folding the rear row of seats.

Choosing a versatile car for a family

Classic station wagon brands are no longer in demand in the Russian automotive market due to interest in crossovers and SUVs, overpriced compared to sedans with similar technical characteristics (in addition to overall dimensions).

Therefore, automakers are tricky: they combine 2 types of car body (station wagon + crossover) and, following the needs of buyers, produce models with increased cross-country ability and capacity. The best representatives of this hybrid station wagon class are Vesta SW Cross, Octavia Scout, Outback.

Advantages

1. Voluminous trunk.
2. Possibility to transport long and bulky goods after folding the seats.
3. Large carrying capacity.
4. Roomy salon.
5. Car multitasking, good suitability for business (transporting goods, tools, etc.) and family travel.

disadvantages

1. Insufficiently high cross-country ability compared to crossovers and SUVs.
2. Tighter suspension settings, which are focused on the transportation of goods, which affects the ride comfort.
3. The increased overall dimensions, in comparison with sedans and hatchbacks, make it difficult to park, make turns in narrow courtyards crowded with vehicles.
4. Higher price compared to its closest relative, the sedan.

Criterias of choice

• station wagon type - urban or off-road;
• the character and purpose of the car - calm and practical (for urban use), sporty-aggressive (for active driving on high quality asphalt roads), hardy, reliable and comfortable (for long journeys).
• the volume of the luggage compartment, the convenience of transforming the cabin for transporting goods that differ in overall dimensions;
• spaciousness of the cabin, ease of landing for rear passengers, the amount of free space above their heads;
• staffing with security systems, availability of road assistants and assistants;
• overall dimensions of the vehicle and ground clearance;
• engine specifications, gearbox type, 4x4 system (for off-road models);
• quality of finishes and practicality of the cabin;
• appearance of the machine;
• vehicle equipment, the presence of a climate system, a multimedia complex with a touch screen, power accessories, modern LED optics, etc .;
• the number of niches, shelves and pockets in the cabin to accommodate small items .

Overview of urban station wagons in the Russian car market

1. LadaLargus

A family truck, one of the most popular passenger station wagons. Differs in a budget price tag compared to competitors. Unpretentious to road conditions. The 5- or 7-seater Lada station wagon with front-wheel drive and many technical solutions and developments of Renault and Nissan is one of the best station wagons in terms of price / quality ratio. Built on the basis of the Dacia Logan MCV model and adapted for the Russian market. It rightfully takes first place in our rating.

Video: Test drive Largus Cross 2017, why is it being bought?

It is also offered in the off-road version of Cross with plastic body kits and ground clearance increased to 170 mm.

Multipurpose vehicle for family use and cargo transportation.

Practical, reliable and inexpensive.

Reliable and time-tested technical components from Renault-Nissan.

The record holder for the spaciousness of the luggage compartment with the seats folded.

- Interior decoration.

- Low-power gasoline engines.

2. Audi A4 Avant

German car brands rightfully occupy high places in various car ratings. The station wagon was no exception. Audi A4 Avant is a powerful, beautiful and reliable station wagon that combines a large number of high-tech solutions and aggressively sporty appearance. Available in 3 versions - standard, designer and sports. Designed for urban use, despite the optional all-wheel drive.

Sold with a large number of engines and a proprietary S tronic transmission. The future Audi owner can opt for the standard 1.4-liter TFSI engine, which develops 150 horsepower, the power plant with 190 hp, or the most powerful 2.0 (249 hp) engine.

The German manufacturer traditionally offers a large number of options for individualizing the car, matrix headlights (about 80 thousand rubles) and the MMI Navigation plus infotainment center with built-in navigation.

Aggressive silhouette and beautiful design.

High quality and expensive interior.

A huge number of options for the buyer's choice.

Rich motor range.

- Not practical enough for a station wagon.

- Limited use outside asphalt roads.

The car, based on the Ceed 5-door hatchback, is better suited for urban use. Only available in mono drive version with a choice of 3 motors. Develops 135 horsepower and 164 units of torque with a 1.6-liter displacement. But in the line of gearboxes a 6-band "automatic" is available. The automatic transmission is paired only with a 1.6-liter 130-horsepower engine.

Video: KIA Ceed 2015 Test Drive. Igor Burtsev

The standard equipment of the Korean station wagon includes: ABS, ESS systems, multifunction steering wheel, power windows on the front doors, 6 speakers. Thus, despite the price of 790 thousand rubles for an air conditioner, electric mirrors and rear window lifters will have to be paid separately.

A practical city car.

Nice appearance without annoying details.

Reliable interior build quality.

The presence of an automatic transmission with 6 speeds in the gearbox line.

- Poor basic equipment.

Table 1. Comparative characteristics of the best urban station wagons

Characteristic			A4 Avant
LxWxH, mm	4470x1750x1670		4725x1842x1434
Base, in mm
Number of seats
Ground clearance, mm
Wheel formula			4x2 or 4x4
Initial cost

Overview of off-road wagons

Bright novelty of the Togliatti manufacturer, top rating. One of the best off-road wagons turned out to be beautiful and stylish, corresponding to the Lada design concept. In addition to the swift silhouette and successful exterior solutions, the pseudo-crossover has a protective body kit made of black plastic and a ground clearance of more than 200 mm. Suitable for family holidays and travel.

It differs from the flagship Vesta sedan in the increased space in the rear of the cabin, which provides a more comfortable fit for passengers.

Video: Lada Vesta SW Cross. Take it or not?

In the motor range - old acquaintances. Vesta SW Cross is equipped with two power units to choose from (1.6 and 1.8 liters). Gasoline engines develop 106 and 122 horsepower, respectively.

Bright and beautiful appearance.

Solid interior.

Quite good cross-country characteristics (though there is no all-wheel drive).

Roomy trunk for family trips

- Lack of a full-fledged "automatic" in the list of available transmissions.

- Jerky "robot".

A representative of the Octavia family with an increased 171 mm ground clearance and a 180 hp TSI engine with a displacement of 1.8 liters. The Octavia is an all-wheel-drive station wagon that comes with an all-wheel drive transmission with off-road mode, which makes it perform well on moderate terrain. Already in the basic configuration of the Czech station wagon, an electronic differential lock technology is available, called EDL.

The car comes with 2-zone Climatronic climate equipment, cruise control, LED headlights, 8-inch Bolero multimedia system, etc.

Video: Skoda Octavia Scout - Used test with the Owner!

All-wheel drive.

Traction engine 1.8 with a maximum torque of 280 Nm.

Plenty of free space in the cabin.

- Overcharge.

- The exterior is not for everybody, the car looks "bloated" and bulky.

- Small ground clearance.

3. Volvo V90 Cross Country

An all-wheel drive, premium off-road station wagon. Reliable, safe and with a successful design concept from Volvo, which is used in modern models of cars of the Swedish brand. Available only in four-wheel drive versions with two diesel power units (190 and 235 hp) and the same number of petrol engines (249 and 320 hp). The transmission is a modern 8-speed Geartronic automatic transmission.

Video: Volvo V90 Cross Country - test drive with Nikita Gudkov

A real premium wagon with excellent reliability and build quality.

High quality salon.

Stylish exterior.

A large number of security systems.

- High price.

- The overall dimensions make it difficult to maneuver in the city.

Table 2. Characteristics of cross-country wagons.

Characteristic	Vesta SW Cross	Octavia scout	V90 Cross Country
LxWxH, mm	4424x1785x1532	4687x1814x1531	4939x1879x1543
Base, in mm
Standard trunk volume, l
The volume of the luggage compartment with folded seats, l
Number of seats
Ground clearance, mm
Wheel formula
Initial cost, in rubles

Which car should you choose?

A large number of good station wagons for urban and suburban use, both budget models and premium segment models, are sold on the Russian market. Cars differ in the level of equipment, weight and size characteristics, luggage capacity and capacity, cross-country ability, reliability, etc. To find the best station wagon, focus on your own needs and preferences and available funds.

Lada Largus is an excellent solution as a universal budget car for solving a wide range of tasks. Connoisseurs of comfort, design, reliability and safety take a look at the V90 in the Cross Country version, and for those who like fast cars with voluminous luggage racks, take a look at the A4 Avant with the S Line package.

We understand thoroughly what is better to take for a comparable amount: an all-terrain wagon (like the Skoda Octavia Scout) or a crossover? The answer is not as straightforward as it seems at first glance.

How is SCP done?

The "recipe" by which the very first off-road wagons Subaru Outback and Audi Allroad were created remains relevant to this day. An ordinary passenger wagon is taken as a basis (in the case of the first Outback - the 5-door Legacy, in the case of the Olroad - the A6 Avant model), an all-wheel drive transmission is installed, the ground clearance is increased, the suspension is strengthened, and a protective skirt is hung at the bottom of the body "made of unpainted plastic.

Nowadays, the segment of off-road wagons has expanded significantly, and the price bar for entry into it is constantly decreasing. Such cars are created not only on the basis of models of the middle class and business class. Skoda, for example, is launching the second generation of the Octavia Scout, and even AvtoVAZ is about to launch its first UPP: Kalina Cross. There are also cross-country hatchbacks on the market. Typical examples are Renault Sandero Stepway and the old Skoda Fabia Scout.

Well, in the segment of large "off-road" station wagons, recognized class leaders reign: Subaru Outback (now the fourth generation of the model is on sale), Audi A6 Allroad, which joined them in 2000 Volvo XC70. Similar models are also produced by Volkswagen with Opel: Passat Alltrack and Insignia Country Tourer, respectively. More recently, the Golf VII became an all-terrain vehicle.

What is the difference between an SCP and a crossover?

The diagram below gives the clearest answer to this question.

Above and in the middle is the classic Volkswagen Tiguan crossover, below is the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack off-road wagon. The ground clearance is impressive for both: 190 mm for the "off-road" Passat, all 200 mm for the Tiguan.

However, there is one "but": take a look at the angles of entry and exit and the size of the wheelbase for both. On the hill that the Tiguan will "take" by the move, Alltrack with a 90% probability will pass: either it will not be able to enter the slope, or will sit on its "belly" at the top. Geometric cross-country ability is what provides crossovers with more confident behavior where smooth roads end!

Other (for someone no less important!) Differences lie in a different plane. On tarmac, especially on winding tracks, off-road wagons tend to handle better than classic crossovers. The reason is in the laws of physics. More precisely, in the impossibility of deceiving them.

The ground clearance of all SUVs is large, the body is high. As a result, the center of gravity also becomes high. Which negatively affects handling. Of course, designers are struggling with this as best they can. And, as a rule, they go the easiest way: they "clamp" the suspension. As a result, the car is perceived as rigid on the move, and you have to "bow" to every pothole. The question is, why then even a crossover? ..

Another important point is the cargo-passenger capabilities. Here, the advantage of off-road wagons lies in their body. All of them, as we have already found out, are built on the basis of conventional station wagons (read: champions in trunk capacity among all types of passenger cars). Mid-size crossovers are far from them in this indicator. There are, however, large 7-seater crossovers with a folding third row, but they cost one and a half times more ...

What do SCPs and crossovers have in common?

Both crossovers and off-road wagons are equipped with modern all-wheel drive transmissions, which are great help on winter roads and in bad weather in summer. The ground clearance of both those and others is to the envy of the owners of even the "tallest" cars.

The "impenetrable" energy-intensive suspension is considered a sign of good taste in both classes. A powerful engine, which also delivers a solid torque, is assumed, as they say, by default.

What to buy for comparable money?

Four-wheel drive crossovers and wagons of increased capacity in comparable versions (automatic gearbox plus rich equipment) cost comparable money in the domestic market: it all depends on power and equipment. What to choose?

Your choice is a crossover if:

You use the off-road capabilities of the car to the maximum (put off-road, albeit universal, rubber, block the cross-axle differential or clutch, knowing exactly when it is necessary);

You often go outdoors, including in winter, knowing that local roads are cleaned from time to time;

You need a roomy trunk, but not the largest possible.

You should pay attention to high-capacity station wagons if:

You value fine handling;

You do not need to "storm" serious off-road;

You will make the most of the vehicle's cargo and passenger capabilities.

History of the issue

Subaru was at the origin of this class of cars. The first car, almost officially called an all-terrain wagon, was the Legacy Outback (if anyone does not know, Outback in the Australian dialect of English means a sparsely populated desert area in the central part of the Green Continent). The model entered the world market in 1995, and the focus was mainly on buyers from the United States as almost the main consumers of all kinds of all-wheel drive vehicles.

The car really became very popular in the USA: many people "tasted" an unprecedented combination of comfort, passenger-and-freight capabilities, high ground clearance, "forgiving" suspension even on broken primers and an "advanced" all-wheel drive system. But the main thing - all this was not at the expense of the perfected handling on the asphalt!

Japanese competitors, naturally, could not ignore their market success. The answer to Outback was not long in coming, and it followed, as you might guess, from another company that had previously become adept at designing all-wheel drive transmissions: in 1999, the Audi Allroad appeared. And in many respects, the "German" even surpassed the founder of the segment!

For example, already in the "base" "Olroad" was equipped not only with permanent all-wheel drive, but also with air suspension, due to which the ground clearance varied from 142 to an impressive 208 mm! Moreover, at high speed the car was automatically "pressed" to the road, but at low speed and in the rut, the clearance could be increased to the maximum value manually. But that's not all: a downshift could be ordered as an option on the Allroad. In combination with the 2.5 TDI diesel engine, which developed a torque of 370 Nm, this gave the car off-road capabilities unthinkable even for other modern SUVs and crossovers!

In recent years, all over the world there has been a rapid growth in the popularity of cars with a pronounced "off-road" exterior. At the same time, it is characteristic that in most cases their potential buyers do not care much about such characteristics as cross-country ability, which is really key for any "real" jeep. Therefore, manufacturers are more and more inclined to develop models, which in reality are nothing more than imitations of off-road cars. It was they who received the name "SUVs".

Almost all such cars have the outward signs of off-road vehicles, but they still look more "glamorous" than real jeeps. If you understand what a SUV is, in more detail, then you need to first find out why exactly this name was given to them, as well as how exactly they differ from "classic" SUVs and crossovers.

Toyota RAV4 - a typical representative of SUVs

There are a lot of jokes about the name "SUV", and all of them quite unequivocally allude to the fact that the cars that are called that are "fake" SUVs. According to one version, a "SUV" is a car whose cross-country ability is sufficient only to move on the parquet floor, according to the other - a car in which parquet instead of carpets should be covered in the cabin. In fact, both explanations are nothing more than humor, but in reality the situation is completely different.

SUVs were originally created by developers as lightweight versions of SUVs. Since "real" jeeps are perfectly adapted for off-road driving and very mediocre - for moving around the city, due to the growing demand for them from the city dwellers, it was necessary to somewhat adapt them to the conditions of megalopolises.

As a result, the engineers decided to simply remove what the city can do without, namely: differential locks and downshifting in the transfer case. In addition, they began to install less powerful and more economical power units on the cars, at the same time they redid the interiors, making them more stylish and comfortable. The result was a modification, which, with the light hand of automotive journalists, began to be called "parquet SUVs", or simply "SUVs". By the way, it has not yet been established who exactly first applied this definition, but it really has become very common, as they say, it had to be right, and in our country.

How the SUV differs from the crossover, SUV, jeep

Renault Duster - SUV popular in Russia

Today, the world's leading automakers are producing more and more models that fall into these three classes, and the differences between them are increasingly blurred. Nevertheless, a "real" SUV cannot be confused with an SUV, if only for the simple reason that an SUV always has a frame structure. Otherwise, car models in these two different classes can be very similar. And this applies not only to the exterior, but also to the technical "filling". For example, now there are all-wheel drive models of SUVs and even SUVs with differential locks.

The situation is somewhat more complicated with determining the difference between an SUV and a crossover. It should be noted that many, even very experienced and sophisticated in technical matters, automotive experts tend to put an equal sign between these two concepts. However, there are still differences between these categories of passenger cars.

The first of them is that all crossovers have a chassis specially designed with the expectation that car owners will have to overcome off-road from time to time. Most of them have the ability to connect all-wheel drive. As for SUVs, their transmission design is practically no different from that used on conventional front-wheel drive cars. Moreover, SUVs are often built on the same platform as ordinary city cars (for example, Renault Duster and Renault Logan).

Another significant difference between SUVs and crossovers is the body structure. Outwardly, this may not manifest itself in any way, however, if you delve into the detailed technical characteristics, it turns out that the bodies of crossover have a much higher torsional rigidity than the bodies of SUVs.

The most popular SUV models in Russia

In the Russian Federation, SUVs are one of the most popular classes of cars. According to experts who study the domestic car market and the preferences of both potential and real buyers of cars, they are attractive because they combine a fairly reasonable price and "off-road" appearance. According to statistics, the following SUVs are the most popular in Russia today:

• Chevrolet Niva;
• LADA 4X4;
• Nissan Quashqai.

It makes sense to tell a little more about each of the models included in this "magnificent five".

As mentioned above, this car is built on the same platform as the popular Renault Logan. It can rightfully be called a "people's SUV" because its sales are very large. Renault Duster combines such characteristics as "off-road" exterior, rather spacious interior, good capacity. In addition, it is also offered in a version with all-wheel drive.

This SUV (which, by the way, is often referred to as a crossover for some reason) is almost twice as expensive as the Renault Duster, but despite this, the demand for it is very high. In it, buyers are attracted by almost impeccable quality, modern appearance, very good dynamic performance.

Chevrolet niva

This SUV can be considered a classic for our market, and it has really very good cross-country ability. Low price, fairly modern appearance. A serious drawback of this model is that it can be equipped with only one type of power unit with a capacity of 80 hp. and one type of manual gearbox.

LADA 4X4

This car is a real "classic of the genre". It has been produced practically unchanged since the times of the USSR, has a completely out-of-date appearance, but continues to be in great demand. The main reasons for this are very good cross-country ability and low price.

Nissan Quashqai

This SUV is also classified as a crossover. His new model looks quite aggressive, sporty. It moves well on a well-rolled dirt road, but off-road that, say, LADA 4X4 overcomes without any problems, even despite its weak engine, for Nissan Quashqai most often it turns out to be, as they say, "too tough." But it is really very comfortable, roomy, spacious, and moving around the city on it is a real pleasure.

Video on the topic

The "recipe" by which the very first off-road wagons Subaru Outback and Audi Allroad were created remains relevant to this day. An ordinary passenger wagon is taken as a basis (in the case of the first Outback - the 5-door Legacy, in the case of the Olroad - the A6 Avant model), an all-wheel drive transmission is installed, the ground clearance is increased, the suspension is strengthened, and a protective skirt is hung at the bottom of the body "made of unpainted plastic.

Nowadays, the segment of off-road wagons has expanded significantly, and the price bar for entry into it is constantly decreasing. Such cars are created not only on the basis of models of the middle class and business class. Skoda, for example, is launching the second generation of the Octavia Scout, and even AvtoVAZ is about to launch its first UPP: Kalina Cross. There are also cross-country hatchbacks on the market. Typical examples are Renault Sandero Stepway and Skoda Fabia Scout.

Well, in the segment of large "off-road" station wagons, recognized class leaders reign: Subaru Outback (now the fourth generation of the model is on sale), Audi A6 Allroad, which joined them in 2000 Volvo XC70. Similar models are also produced by Volkswagen with Opel: Passat Alltrack and Insignia Country Tourer, respectively.

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What is the difference between an SCP and a crossover?

The diagram below gives the clearest answer to this question.

Above and in the middle - the classic Volkswagen Tiguan crossover, below - the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack off-road wagon. The ground clearance is impressive for both: 190 mm for the "off-road" Passat, all 200 mm for the Tiguan.

However, there is one "but": take a look at the angles of entry and exit and the size of the wheelbase for both. On the hill that the Tiguan will "take" by the move, Alltrack with a 90% probability will pass: either it will not be able to enter the slope, or will sit on its "belly" at the top. Geometric cross-country ability is what provides crossovers with more confident behavior where smooth roads end!

Other (for someone no less important!) Differences lie in a different plane. On tarmac, especially on winding tracks, off-road wagons tend to handle better than classic crossovers. The reason is in the laws of physics. More precisely, in the impossibility of deceiving them.

The ground clearance of all SUVs is large, the body is high. As a result, the center of gravity also becomes high. Which negatively affects handling. Of course, designers are struggling with this as best they can. And, as a rule, they go the easiest way: they "clamp" the suspension. As a result, the car is perceived as rigid on the move, and you have to "bow" to every pothole. The question is, why then even a crossover? ..

Another important point is the cargo-passenger capabilities. Here the advantage of off-road wagons lies in their body. All of them, as we have already found out, are built on the basis of conventional station wagons (read: champions in trunk capacity among passenger cars of all types). Mid-size crossovers are far from them in this indicator. There are, however, large 7-seater crossovers with a folding third row, but they cost one and a half times more ...

What do SCPs and crossovers have in common?

Both crossovers and off-road wagons are equipped with modern all-wheel drive transmissions, which are great help on winter roads and in bad weather in summer. The ground clearance of both those and others is to the envy of the owners of even the "tallest" cars. The "impenetrable" energy-intensive suspension is considered a sign of good taste in both classes. A powerful engine, which also delivers a solid torque, is assumed, as they say, by default.

What to buy for comparable money?

Four-wheel drive crossovers and wagons of increased capacity in comparable versions (automatic gearbox plus rich equipment) cost comparable money on the Russian market: 1.2-1.5 million rubles, depending on power and equipment. What to choose?

Your choice is a crossover if:

• you use the off-road capabilities of the car to the maximum (put off-road, albeit universal, rubber, block the cross-axle differential or clutch, knowing exactly when it is necessary);
• often go outdoors, including in winter, knowing that local roads are cleaned from time to time;
• you need a roomy trunk, but not the largest possible.

You should pay attention to high-capacity station wagons if:

• you value fine handling;
• you do not need to "storm" serious off-road;
• you will make the most of the vehicle's cargo and passenger capabilities.

History of the issue

Subaru was at the origin of this class of cars. The first car, almost officially called the all-terrain wagon, was the Legacy Outback (if anyone does not know, Outback in the Australian dialect of English means a sparsely populated desert area in the central part of the Green Continent). The model entered the world market in 1995, and the focus was mainly on buyers from the United States as almost the main consumers of all kinds of all-wheel drive vehicles.

For example, already in the "base" "Olroad" was equipped not only with permanent all-wheel drive, but also with air suspension, due to which the ground clearance varied from 142 to an impressive 208 mm! Moreover, at high speed the car was automatically "pressed" to the road, but at low speed and in the rut, the clearance could be increased to the maximum value manually. But that's not all: a downshift could be ordered as an option on the Allroad. In combination with the 2.5 TDI diesel engine, which developed a torque of 370 Nm, this gave the car off-road capabilities unthinkable even for other modern SUVs and crossovers!