Unique Platforms
A crossover's body and frame are built in a single piece. This is called unibody construction. This design provides a better ride quality and, because it's lighter, generally achieves better fuel efficiency. Sport-Utility Vehicles, better known as SUVs, use a body-on-frame design. That means the frame and body are built separately and joined together during the manufacturing process. These truck-based vehicles are generally more rugged and can be used to haul larger payloads. That's not to say, however, that you can't tow with a crossover. In fact, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, Outlander and Outlander PHEV are all built on unibody platforms and have towing capacities ranging from 1,500 lbs to 2,000 lbs.
