What are the Benefits of Crossover Vehicle Design?

For more information about crossover vehicles and other related topics, follow the links on the next page. U.S. Department of Energy — U.S. AOL Autos Staff. “Best Selling Crossovers: March 2011.” AOL Autos. Roy, Rex. “Crossover 101.” AOL Autos. Nissan. “Redesigned 2011 Nissan Rogue Crossover SUV Debuts at 23rd Annual International Z Car Convention.” Nissan Official U.S. Toyota USA Newsroom. “2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Product Information.” Sept. Honda Automobiles. “2011 Honda CR-V Serves Up SUV Versatility with Style and Refinement.” Honda Media Newsroom. What’s the difference between a crossover and an SUV? BMW Group. “Fun Has No Limits. The MINI Countryman.” PressClub Global. Toyota USA Newsroom. “2011 Toyota RAV4 Offers New Extra Value Package.” Sept. BMW Group. “IIHS Names MINI Countryman as a ‘2011 Top Safety Pick’ Winner.” PressClub USA. What are the benefits of crossover vehicle design?

The Toyota RAV4 with a four-cylinder engine and two-wheel-drive gets 22 miles per gallon (9.4 kilometers per liter) in the city, 28 miles per gallon (11.9 kilometers per liter) highway and 24 miles per gallon (10.2 kilometers per liter) combined. That’s the same highway mileage that its hybrid Highlander sibling gets. Like the Honda CR-V, the Toyota RAV4 has been around the block a few times — it was launched a decade and a half ago. It too was considered a light-duty SUV until the crossover category caught on, which is where the RAV4 is most at home. Opting for the four-wheel-drive system only drops its EPA mileage rating by 1-mile per gallon (0.4-kilometer per liter), making it one of the more fuel-efficient vehicles with on-demand four-wheel-drive.

This particular model gets the best mileage of any crossover on the list. There are a few pleasant surprises in the Countryman, like a three-person rear bench seat and being named a 2011 Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). While the world “rogue” might conjure up pirates and thieves and good guys gone bad, the Nissan Rogue crossover plays by the rules and gets great gas mileage in the process.

And now, without further ado, the five crossover vehicles with the best fuel economy — including one little hybrid surprise. The two-wheel-drive Honda CR-V gets better mileage than the four-wheel-drive version, with an EPA rating of 21 miles per gallon (8.9 kilometers per liter) city, 28 miles per gallon (11.9 kilometers per liter) highway and 24 miles per gallon (10.2 kilometers per liter) combined. The Honda CR-V is no newcomer to the crossover scene, having been marketed as a small SUV since the 1990s. It was never really meant for off-roading, though, and the crossover segment seems to fit it well. That’s with a four-cylinder engine that produces 180 horsepower, room for four adults, and a spacious cargo area behind the back seats.