Here comes the CUVs
Autoblog reports: Crossovers are rolling over SUVs
You can say that again.
As expected over the rise of fuel prices, buyers went shifting from traditional SUVs (notorious for being gas-guzzlers) to the more comfortable and fuel efficient crossover models. According to US Today, this transition had been inching along for several years but has now turned into a “stampede”. Data from ford reveal that through November, sales of truck-based SUVs, such as Ford Explorer and Toyota Sequoia, are down 13.5%, while sales of car-based crossovers, such as Honda Pilot and Saturn Vue, are up 14.4%. And even if crossovers are less-able off-roaders and can’t tow or haul as much as truck-based SUVs, many buyers seem willing to give that up, especially for the advantage of fuel economy.
And when you’re this popular, you’re bound to get lots of competition. Hot off the heels of the very popular hybrid the Toyota Prius, the crossover segment now has three gasoline-electric hybrid models: the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid, 2006 Lexus RX 400h and the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. New entries to the segment are also now heating up the competition based on the price – the Kia Sorento and Sportage, Hyundai Tucson and Santa Fe and the Mitsubishi Outlander – as well as with performance, with the likes of the Cadillac SRX and Infiniti FX45. To those who have safety foremost in mind, there’s the Volvo XC90 which offers such safety features as Roll Stability Control, inflatable side-curtain airbags for all three rows of seats, and an integrated sliding center booster seat for children. On the other hand, those who want style can check out CUV models like Nissan’s Murano which is supposedly styled to be reminiscent of the sculpted glass from which it derives its name, and the Mitsubishi Endeavor which was said to be designed to appeal to the U.S. market by combining bold exterior styling with ride and handling characteristics that feel more like a sedan.
Indeed, with vehicles like the Ford Escape, Honda Pilot, and Chevrolet Equinox offering smoother rides, better handling, and better fuel economy CUVS are bound to get even more popular in the future. The other good news is, when it comes to getting replacement auto parts like AC condenser, door handles, catalytic converters, lights, radiator, bumpers or mirrors for your CUV, old or new –you can rely on trusted online auto parts stores like Auto Parts Corner.
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