Crossovers And Off-Roaders
For 50 years the trend had been to build cars lower and sleeker, but designers realized that people were increasingly buying four-wheel-drive vehicles because they wanted higher, safer-feeling cars. A surge in production of “crossover” vehicles followed, some with only limited off-road ability.
Land Rover Discovery Series II, 1998
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 2,495 cc, straight-five |
| Top speed | 98 mph (158 km/h) |
Launched in 1989 for a new market segment where style and comfort were important, the Discovery retained exceptional off-road ability and sold strongly.
Land Rover Discovery 3, 2004
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 4,394 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 121 mph (195 km/h) |
Sold as the LR3 in North America, this model has a completely new design with monocoque construction and an all-independent air suspension. It has exceptional off/on-road ability.
Honda CR-V, 2001
| Origin | Japan |
| Engine | 1,998 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 110 mph (177 km/h) |
The CR-V was one of the first two-or four-wheel-drive-option SUVs when launched in 1996. It saw the market niche grow dramatically, and upgrades such as this one in 2001, kept it popular.
Renault Avantime, 2001
| Origin | France |
| Engine | 2,946 cc, V6 |
| Top speed | 137 mph (220 km/h) |
Designed and built by Matra, this innovative crossover between a two-door coupé and an MPV failed to find a market niche; just 8,557 were sold in 2001-03.
Subaru Tribeca, 2005
| Origin | Japan |
| Engine | 2,999 cc, flat-six |
| Top speed | 121 mph (195 km/h) |
Based on the Legacy car platform, the Tribeca benefits from Subaru’s long four-wheel-drive and rallying heritage. The lightweight, flat engine gives it a low center of gravity.
Chevrolet Tahoe, 2005
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 5,300 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 123 mph (198 km/h) |
A full-size SUV from General Motors, this car is also sold as GMC Yukon and LWB Chevy Suburban. It is available as a two-or four-wheel drive, or as a hybrid.
Chevrolet HHR, 2005
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 2,130 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 110 mph (177 km/h) |
HHR stands for “Heritage High Roof,” referring to styling inspired by the 1949 Chevrolet Suburban. The HHR is also available as a van, or turbocharged.
BMW X3, 2004
| Origin | Germany/Austria |
| Engine | 2,494 cc, straight-six |
| Top speed | 129 mph (208 km/h) |
Designed and built by Magna Steyr of Austria, the X3 was based on the four-wheel-drive 3-Series sedan, and so lacked optimal off-road ability.
Mazda CX-7, 2006
| Origin | Japan |
| Engine | 2,260 cc, flat-four |
| Top speed | 130 mph (209 km/h) |
Unlike most opposition, Mazda’s midsize crossover SUV is built on an all-new platform. It is clearly primarily a luxury road car, with two-or four-wheel-drive options.
Toyota Highlander, 2000
| Origin | Japan |
| Engine | 2,995 cc, V6 |
| Top speed | 125 mph (201 km/h) |
The first car-based midsize crossover SUV, based on the Camry platform, this was Toyota’s best-selling SUV for the first half of the decade.
Nissan Qashqai, 2006
| Origin | UK/Japan |
| Engine | 1,997 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 119 mph (192 km/h) |
The Qashqai sold 100,000 units in its first year. Primarily a road car with two-or four-wheel drive, it has fair off-road ability.
Toyota Sienna, 2006
| Origin | Japan |
| Engine | 3,310 cc, V6 |
| Top speed | 111 mph (179 km/h) |
A family minivan, or MPV, the front-wheel-drive Sienna was launched in 1997. Four-wheel drive became an option in 2004, but this is not an off-road vehicle.
Nissan Rogue, 2007
| Origin | Japan |
| Engine | 2,488 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 120 mph (193 km/h) |
The North American equivalent of the Qashqai is a compact crossover SUV with constantly variable transmission, and front-or four-wheel drive.
Saturn Outlook, 2006
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 3,600 cc, V6 |
| Top speed | 120 mph (193 km/h) |
General Motors launched Saturn in 1987 and closed it in 2010. The Outlook was a full-size crossover SUV with eight seats and front-or four-wheel drive.
Volkswagen Touran, 2003
| Origin | Germany |
| Engine | 1,968 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 122 mph (196 km/h) |
Based on the four-wheel-drive VW Golf and sold in Europe, the Touran was a compact SUV offered with gas, diesel, or LPG engines from 1.2 to 2.0 liter, hybrid or battery-only.
Ford Kuga, 2008
| Origin | Germany |
| Engine | 2,522 cc, straight-five |
| Top speed | 129 mph (208 km/h) |
Based on the Focus platform with front- or four-wheel-drive options, the Kuga is aimed at the on-road premium market with performance engines and a high standard of trim.
Jeep Patriot, 2007
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 1,968 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 117 mph (188 km/h) |
Jeep’s entry into the compact SUV market, the Patriot is sold with completely different choices of engine and drive packages in the United States and Europe.
Ford Escape Hybrid, 2009
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 2,488 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 102 mph (164 km/h) |
Launched in 2004, the Escape was the first hybrid (gas and electric) SUV on the market. It was also the first U.S.-built hybrid from a U.S. manufacturer.
It is a quote. The Definitive Visual History Of The Automobile 2011
