New and Used Crossover Cars For Sale

There's no outright winner, and it very much depends on how you'll use the car. A crossover is lighter, nimbler and gentler on fuel, making it the sensible choice for commuting, city driving and smaller households. A larger SUV justifies itself if you regularly carry up to seven passengers, tow a caravan or trailer, or tackle rougher ground. For the majority of drivers, though, a crossover covers everyday life comfortably while costing less to buy and run than a bulkier SUV.

In most cases, no. Crossovers tend to be shorter, lighter and lower than traditional SUVs, because they're built on car and supermini foundations rather than the larger platforms beneath a full-size model. The lines can be blurred, however, as the term SUV gets used loosely in advertising, so plenty of cars badged that way are really crossovers underneath, and a large crossover can easily outsize a small SUV. As a rule of thumb, a crossover slots between a family hatchback and a full-size SUV.

Like any bodystyle, crossovers have their limits. With less cabin and boot room than a mid-size SUV, a crossover very rarely seats more than five, and isn't made for heavy towing or proper off-roading. Its taller body can also consume a little more petrol than the supermini it's based on, which may be cheaper again to run. For most buyers none of that stings, as you gain space and presence over a hatchback while keeping the easy, car-like driving that a large SUV can't match.

There's a strong line-up to choose from. The Renault Captur has clever sliding rear seats, the Peugeot 2008 brings a striking i-Cockpit cabin, and the Kia Stonic matches nimble handling with generous standard kit. The Dacia Sandero Stepway is a popular budget choice, but overall the right pick really comes down to your budget, mileage and the features that matter most to you.

In general crossovers are reliable. A real plus in the crossover's favour is that most share their engines and running gear with established superminis, so there's little untried technology to cause headaches. Smaller models from Kia and Hyundai tend to perform strongly across industry reviews, with several scoring among the highest in their class. Dependability still differs between individual models and years, so it's wise to research how a particular car has held up before you buy.