Am I the Only One Around Here...

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
06/24/2014 at 20:40 • Filed to: None

That doesn't hate crossovers? They make sense to me.

Car-based, so they're not too terrible to drive.

Sometimes have more room than truck-based SUVs.

Higher seating position means a better view of the road.

More fuel efficient than truck-based SUVs.

Better looking than the equivalent mini-van.

The only downside I see to them is that they're sometimes based on very beige sedans (Toyota Venza) which takes the not terrible to drive factor out.

I could go into crossovers vs. wagons, but with there only being 5 or so wagons on sale in the US, I'm not going to.

Now that I'm done saying this, where do I hand over my Jalop card?

DISCUSSION (32)

Tom McParland > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/24/2014 at 20:42

I don't hate crossovers either, I just don't have an interest in owning one.

PheeNoIVI > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/24/2014 at 20:42

You've been banished! But seriously they're not bad. I'd never own one. The biggest thing I'll ever drive is a sport sedan. But the tubro v6 of the new ford is exciting.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/24/2014 at 20:43

I agree, but I am biased, of course.

Kinja'd!!!

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > PheeNoIVI
06/24/2014 at 20:44

I find it interesting how that wasn't even mentioned in the FP article.

AM3R > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/24/2014 at 20:45

I like them. Sure I like wagons too, but sometimes a crossover is just a better choice. A lot of really attractive crossovers are out there too, MANY more choices versus a wagon.

Decay buys too many beaters > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/24/2014 at 20:45

I'd never own one, but I guess I'd rather have one than a minivan.

PheeNoIVI > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/24/2014 at 20:45

Yeah beat part about it too

Brian Silvestro > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/24/2014 at 20:47

The only one I'd ever own is the Macan/SQ5, but I see your point.

Vi517, JDX Racing > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/24/2014 at 20:49

There are some that I like and a lot I don't. I would gladly buy a Dodge Durango (as a practical car, would have to have a fun car first) but I will not even consider buying a CR-V, Pilot, RAV4. It really depends on the individual car if I would buy it over a wagon.

However, this class of vehicles should have a different name. When I think of a crossover, I think of a cross between a car/wagon and a SUV/truck, which would be this:

Kinja'd!!!

SUV/truck ground clearance with car/wagon practicality and drivability.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/24/2014 at 20:49

I might have some bias as well. But it's more fun to drive than anything else I've driven.

Kinja'd!!!

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/24/2014 at 20:51

Your neighbor has an SS Trailblazer?

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/24/2014 at 20:52

Yeah, that's his second one! He had a black one before that one.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Vi517, JDX Racing
06/24/2014 at 20:53

I've always called them Compact SUVs mostly.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/24/2014 at 20:53

I've grown fond of the Forester lately not sure if it's technically a corssover though.

Kinja'd!!!

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
06/24/2014 at 20:54

I don't see why it wouldn't be.

Enginerrrrrrrrr > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/24/2014 at 21:07

That was one of the worst cars I've ever driven... 1st place goes to the new camry...

JR1 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/24/2014 at 21:11

Id own a crossover before I owned a wagon. The raised sitting position is something a lot of people don't talk about but it is a great addition to driving. Better view and easier exit/entrance

Enginerrrrrrrrr > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/24/2014 at 21:14

I don't like them because they compromise so may things for one: sitting up higher.

They are basically a tall sedan or wagon that wants to be an SUV.

This means: worse handling, worse fuel efficiency, and heavier than a family sedan.

Comparing to a real SUV: not as much interior space, less hauling ability, less offroadability.

The whole idea annoys me. Why not get a car that is good in many of the qualities I mentioned instead of one that is bad in many?

Then again I don't think manuals are better than automatics, so we can all have typically un-jalop views at times.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Enginerrrrrrrrr
06/24/2014 at 21:18

I think it's fun to drive. 257 horsepower V6, a wonderful 6-speed auto, and a great hydraulic steering system. Now the lower trim level 4-cylinder, 4-speed, electric PS one is bad.

Thanks for insulting one of my family's cars though.

ranwhenparked > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/24/2014 at 21:27

No, I will readily admit that I like some crossovers.

Kinja'd!!!

lone_liberal > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/24/2014 at 21:33

I'm on your side. For a practical DD there is absolutely nothing wrong with them. Most of them aren't exactly exciting but most people don't want exciting from their DD.

Hooker > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/24/2014 at 22:12

Saturn VUE before it was Captiva'd. The turn signal and windshield wiper stalks are the best. They are just like the ones on the Astra. They just bounce and go back to their ready position. So. Awesome. Of course, Chevrolet had to change that when they slapped a bow tie on it.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Hooker
06/24/2014 at 22:34

THEY CHANGED THE STALKS? Those ones in the Vue were literally perfect!

They changed so much in the Captiva. They lost the 3.6, did a weird two tone thing with the center stack, and added an eco button!

Vue > Captiva

DanZman > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
06/24/2014 at 23:37

I'm going to go with tall wagon and not a crossover.

PS: I have a thing for foresters too

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > DanZman
06/25/2014 at 00:53

i'd say the old ones are a small crossover. but the newer ones are full fledged compact SUVs.

wiffleballtony > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/25/2014 at 01:21

I can't fathom a good reason to own one. But, its a free country.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > wiffleballtony
06/25/2014 at 01:22

More cargo capacity than a hatchback, more efficiency than an SUV?

Enginerrrrrrrrr > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/25/2014 at 01:25

Ok, that makes more sense. The one I had was the 4-cylinder. Most hilarious part was "eco-mode" which just made it impossible for me to merge onto a highway. It was the only thing available if I wanted to leave the rental place in under two hours...

Just because I insulted the car doesn't mean I insulted your family. My uncle bought one of the newer Lexus ES350's against my advice...which is a bad car. Doesn't mean I don't like him.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Enginerrrrrrrrr
06/25/2014 at 01:33

Captiva, that's what you had.

That does get a 6-speed, I think, but that 2.5 (?) I4 just doesn't have the guts to get this car moving. 250 was the perfect amount, but most people want efficient rentals so they killed the V6 option in the Captiva after only one year. The electric steering system is just shit. I hate those things.

If you ever have a chance, try a Vue that has the 3.6L, it's almost like it's an entirely different car.

Hooker > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/25/2014 at 07:45

Couldn't agree more. The only good thing they added to the Captiva was MyLink. But why no rear view camera when it comes with NAVI? Also, the ECO button was due to a power train change. The Captiva got the full Equinox treatment in that regard.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Hooker
06/25/2014 at 08:20

Bleh. Equinox treatment means EPS. The Hydraulic system in V6 Vues was great.

Hooker > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/25/2014 at 10:16

Couldn't agree more.