The cost of petroleum in this country has nearly pushed the once popular full-sized SUV into extinction. My feeble mind never understood the love affair some people had with the huge gas guzzlers (I know my wallet couldn’t). It seemed that the people who would actually need such a vehicle for heavy-duty, off-road hauling of cargo/personnel didn’t own one – but everyone wanted one. Smelling the profits, auto manufacturers began cozying up to the status-seekers who coveted the sleek urbanized versions of their rugged SUV ancestors (remember the Broncos and Blazers of yesteryear?).
The oil industry and heightened environmental consciousness have brought about the latest evolutionary change in SUV design – the crossover. It’s not exactly the rugged behemoth we associate with the term SUV, but it isn’t the pansy, family mini-van either. It’s the perfect vehicle for pulling out tree stumps while your wife changes the kids’ diapers in the back seat. I have to admit the mini-van part of me just might be interested in this version. Now if I can just convince my wallet.