The Crossover SUV comes to the rescue. New crossover SUV entrants which are built like cars - not trucks - are changing this sector. Some return a combined 50 mpg. They're what's called soft-roaders. The old off-roaders are still needed by those towing or going to remote places. US car salespeople call SUVs all-weather vehicles. Some SUVs are not as spacious as you'd imagine. Newcomers drive like cars; others drive like trucks. Some were not as safe as their tonka-toy looks promise. ESP is a must. So there are lots of differences, especially in price new and running costs. You can also walk-up models ranges, customize with options and spend a fortune. Find the best Crossover, SUV & 4X4 cars to fit your purpose and purse.

It's not just Crossovers that have changed the 4x4 SUVs sector. There have been other significant changes.

2WD is now and option on many models - BMW X1, Chevrolet Captiva, Ford Kuga, Hyundai ix35, Kia Sportage, Land Rover Freelander, Mitsubishi ASX, Skoda Yeti, VW Tiguan.

Many visitors to this site make a 7 seater SUV comparison. If you're looking for a seven seater SUV compare the Audi Q7, BMW X5, Chevrolet Captiva, Citroen C-Crossover, Kia Sorento, Land Rover Discovery.

The Audi SUV range now challenges other premium brand SUVs. Their smallest SUV the Q3 is due summer 2011 as is the Range Rover Evogue. More small SUVs or should I say compact SUVs are being launched.

Fuel consumption and motor car insurance are big issues for motorists these days with costs rocketing. If you make comparisons and check compact diesel SUV fuel consumption you'll find some compete with small petrol engine cars.

Car insurance for Crossovers, SUVs and 4x4s can be more of a problem. The new car insurance groups 1 to 50 allow insurers to widen their premiums for SUVs on the basis there's increasing variation in this sector. As car insurance is now a significant motoring cost it pays to bear in mind group ratings when comparing different makes and models and then their different engine options.

It goes without saying the cheaper, less powerful Crossovers have the cheapest car insurance premiums.

Car insurance for over 50 year olds is being promoted by insurers. However women who were previously targeted will tell you this doesn't necessarily mean the quote for car insurance will be low.

When it comes to affordable car insurance in this sector it really is worth your while to compare car insurance and collect as many direct car insurance quotes as possible. Getting online car insurance quotes is frustrating but the differences in premiums can be enormous with high quotes being four times greater than the cheap car insurance quotes.

The choice in this sector is now huge making it difficult to come up with a list of the top 10 SUVs. You'd probably end up with three lists, top premium brands, top traditional SUVs and a list of SUVs for the fun and fashion market.

Be careful if you're considering used 4x4 cars because older models have nowhere near the efficiency of today's new models. Used 4x4 cars are plentiful with stocks of best sellers like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CRV and Land Rover Freelander.

When weighing up 4x4s, SUVs and Crossovers to find the best 4x4 type of vehicle for you it's worth looking at the differences between 4x4s, SUVs and changes towards the Crossover car. So ...

What is a Crossover?

At one time off-road vehicles with four-wheel drive were simply called Land Rovers or Jeeps. It was only after the Range Rover launch in 1969 they started to be called four-by-four, 4x4 or 4WD. These vehicles were built for off-road purposes with the ability to switch to 2WD or 4WD and lower gearing. Not all 4WD vehicles are called SUVs.

And not all SUVs are four wheel-drives. A sport utility vehicle (SUV) is an estate car body on a truck chassis. Off-road ability depends on the type of 4WD system. SUVs had fat tyres, long travel suspension, vague steering, heavy bodies and a high centre of gravity. Handling was poor, some were not as comfortable and spacious as their appearance promised, and they were uneconomical and less than safe.

Although SUVs were extremely popular during the 1990s by 2007 they were being heavily criticised whilst becoming unviable.

Since 2007 the traditional SUVs built like trucks are gradually being replaced by lighter weight crossover SUVs which are built on car platforms with car like tyres, suspension and steering with near car like handling and fuel economy. Off-road capability when present is often limited. Crossovers also use many features found in estate cars and MPVs regaining their appeal as big family cars.

We compare car make, model, trim, engine & transmissions. Plus car dimensions, performance, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions figures. Also safety features, including car insurance groups. It's a good idea to try and understand 4-wheel drive systems, traction control, stability programmes, hill decent and other gadgets.

More Car Comparisons

Small Car Comparisons for example Corsa, Clio, Fiesta, Punto, and Polo.

Small MPV Car Comparisons the best known are the Jazz, Modus and Agila.

Medium Small Cars including the Golf, Focus, 308, and Astra.

Medium Size Cars like the Passat, 3-Series, Mondeo and Insignia.

Large Executive and Luxury Cars Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Lexus, Mercedes.

Family Estates There's a huge choice of over 30 estate cars compared for you.

MPV Comparisons Scenic, Picassa, Zafira, Espace, Galaxy, for example.

Sports Cars, Coupes & Convertibles Over 30 cars in this category.

What Everyone Needs To Know About Car Insurance Find out more about car insurance. Not least because it may save you hundreds of pounds every year.

How To Buy A Car Here are 7-formulas which are easy to remember, easy to understand and quickly mastered. In other words, THEY WORK. They could save you thousands of pounds.