Are Crossovers The Next Generation Of Hatchbacks?

I don't know if we're splitting hairs with labels like "hatchback", "crossover" or even in some cases, "SUV".

In *MY* mind, the term "hatchback" applies to a car with a specific type of opening rear hatch. Think Honda Civic Hatchback.

Then came SUVs, many with rear doors that opened vertically, and which might be called a "hatchback".

Then came "crossovers", a form that's similar to an SUV, but shrunk down into more of a car-size package, yet it retaining some of the desired characteristics of an SUV, namely a higher and more upright seating position, easier ingress and egress, and some hauling ability in the hatch.

There's no doubt about the present and growing popularity of crossovers and SUVs (specifically small and mid-size ones), and the diminishing popularity of the traditional sedan design.

I believe that all of these vehicles are nothing more than 4 wheel drive STATION WAGONS. The Two Box original hatchback was simply a small station wagon. How the doors open is not an issue to me. AND whether they are body on frame - or crossover unibody - is not the issue either. We do not separate the body on frame cars from the uni-body cars in history. A full size car is a full size car - regardless. I have owned lots of station wagons over the years - and find that the ability to drive like a car - but hold extra cargo - was a great advantage. The fact is - most people do not need the 4x4 capability - and few actually use any of these off road to begin with. And I believe people are buying c/suv's for that same reason as we bought station wagons in the past. This is where a mini-van - while it has lots of reasons why it is better at transporting people and cargo - cannot compete - because mini-vans do not drive much like cars.

*MY* understanding of a station wagon is that it is like a traditional sedan (car) in every respect, except that the sedan’s trunk is replaced with a *long* rear end and with a large rear door. In some cases, a third row of seats is available (and likely stowable).

A station wagon differs from a hatchback, as hatchbacks have a MUCH shorter rear end than a station wagon. You could view a hatchback as a station wagon with a super-short tail. Still, we’re talking about cars.

An SUV is a very different beast than a station wagon. It’s more truck like, with a considerably higher seating position. People often cite a reason for liking their SUV is because they drive higher and can see “over the cars”. The higher seating also makes for easier ingress and egress, as you don’t have to “get down” into the relatively low-sitting car. In most cases, SUVs do not have the long station wagon rear ends, though there are some exceptions like Audi’s Q7 with 3rd row seating. The Q7, BTW, does look somewhat like a station wagon turned truck.

And crossovers are as I described in my previous post, a cross between a car (hatchback) and an SUV.

At least that’s the world according to Steve :-)

The reason I always preferred a sedan over a hatchback is the ability to put something in the trunk, completely out of sight. The soft cover that can slide over the rear is only good if the seats are up, which removes a lot of storage space. I had a manager that lost two government laptops at the same restaurant by the same method: someone saw the bag and broke a window to grab it.

Now that so many crossovers/SUVs come with privacy glass on the back windows, it is less of an issue.

"Crossover" is the OK version of "hatchback" which is a pejorative to some.

I'd be more likely to buy a Focus sedan or an Escape (Focus crossover) than the Focus hatchback. The hatchback has none of the advantages of the sedan, but the Escape has all the advantages of the hatchback and then some.