"Crossover" isn't a particularly nice word in English; in French it's an abomination. Clear defined market segments will cease to exisit in the near future as car manufacturers upped the ante in a race to dish out "cool" and "new age" crossovers. The confusion began with the commercial success of the Nissan Qashqai, our featured car, sorry cross-fuser this Friday.
The featured Cross-fusers from 1 to 3 are all front wheel drive, which means they are totally incapable of heading into any wild terrain. Do not try any off-roading at all costs!
Peugeot 3008 (1)
In essence, this is a jacked-up Peugeot 308 with more interior space on offer. Despite the SUV-like styling, four-wheel drive is not available as an option. Should reach Singapore by end of the year.
Volkswagen Cross-Golf (2)
Why would anyone buy this over a Volkswagen Tiguan? Despite the butchy off-road body kit, this front-wheel drive only "SUV" will be a big joke if taken into wild terrains.
Kia Soul (3)
Korea's answer to Mini and Fiat 500, a supermini that think that it is a Range Rover. Ex-Audi designer Peter Schreyer penned the Soul's bold creases, chunky wheelarches and slabby sides lend it a sense of solidity while the blacked-out A-pillars and wing vents add a mini-me Range Rover feel.
Introducing the "mother" of all cross-fusers:
Volkswagen Golf Country (4)
Only 6,697 examples were built by Volkswagen. Bascially, this is a jacked up Volkswagen Golf Mark II with permanent four-wheel drive. Perhaps it would have done better if more space or style was on the plate. A futuristic concept in a plain Jane outfit. The Golf Country was particularly popular in Alpine regions in central Europe.
Seat Altea Freetrack (5)
Those huge black bumpers on Altea, an MPV originally, looks like Oprah trying to fit into a Paris Hilton slut dress.
Skoda Octavia Scout (6)
Mechanically the same as the Seat Altea Freetrack (5), but miles better in execution. A poor man's Audi Allroad?
Dodge Caliber (7)
Conceived before the Nissan Qashqai, the Dodge Caliber was an attempt by Chrysler to crack new markets, such as Australia. Be warned of the nasty interior trim.
Toyota Urban Cruiser (8)
Obviously, Toyota is trying to bank in on the Land Cruiser branding, but can you honestly get over the name, Urban Cruiser? Offered in Japan with part-time four-wheel drive, but precious little ground clearance means the occasional road kerb at best.
Well, the only thing common among all of these cross-fusers would be that the manufacturer would make claims that their cars carry heavy hints of SUV in its styling, but - because it's lighter in weight, cost and environmental impact than an SUV - is pitched as a mildly adventurous rival to regular hatchbacks. Well, stay tuned for the verdict on the Nissan Qashqai this Friday.