A Comparison of CUV Vehicles
While sport-utility vehicles resemble pickup trucks in size and shape, crossover-utility vehicles (CUVs) combine smaller size and car-like stylings with the all-wheel drive and easy cargo access that drivers enjoy in SUVs. While many CUVs have a similar appearance, features and price, examining several other aspects of these vehicles can help you compare them.
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Fuel Efficiency
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The miles per gallon that crossover-utility vehicles provide depends in part on the engine size, fuel type and drivetrain. Government estimates show that a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox with front-wheel drive and a six-cylinder, 3-liter engine will get 17 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway. A 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive gets 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. Drivers of a 2011 Kia Sportage with a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive can expect 22 mpg in the city and 31 on the highway.
Safety
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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety uses crash tests and an evaluation of vehicle safety features to assign safety ratings to crossover-utility and other vehicles. The institute's highest rating is good, followed by acceptable, marginal and poor. The 2011 Ford Flex and 2010 Subaru Forester received good marks for front and side crash safety, as well as roof strength. The 2010 Nissan Murano received scores of good for its performance in front and side crash tests, but it got a marginal mark for its roof strength test results.
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Rankings
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"U.S. News and World Report" conducts an in-depth analysis of published reviews and safety ratings to generate its rankings of the best crossover-utility vehicles. It groups CUVs into two categories: affordable and luxury. 2011 vehicles at the top of the publication's affordable CUV list include the Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain and Buick Enclave. Vehicles ranked near the bottom include the 2011 Ford Escape, 2010 Jeep Compass and 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour. 2011 luxury CUVs receiving the highest marks included the Audi Q5, Infiniti EX and Acura MDX. Those ranking lowest included the 2010 BMW X6, 2010 Volvo XC70 and the 2011 Lincoln MKX.
Measurements
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Examining the amount of head, hip, leg, shoulder and cargo room CUVs offer can help you compare models. For example, passengers in the second row of a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse get 36.8 inches of leg room, while those in a 2011 Honda CR-V have 38.5 inches. The Traverse seats seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim level selected, while the CR-V seats five. The Traverse boasts 116.4 cubic feet of cargo room, while the CR-V offers 35.7 with the rear seats up and 72.9 cubic feet with them down.
Warranty Coverage
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The amount of warranty protection that comes with your new CUV varies among manufacturers. Buy a 2011 Ford Edge and you'll receive three years or 36,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage, along with five years or 60,000 miles of roadside assistance. Those who purchase a 2011 Hyundai Tucson or 2011 Volvo XC90 get a five-year or 60,000-mile limited warranty and five years of roadside assistance with no mileage limitations.
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