Suv and 4×4 cars

SUV, MPV, Crossover or 4X4 — What’s The Difference?

If you’ve ever wondered about the differences between SUVs, MPVs, Crossovers and 4X4s, you’re not alone. These days there are varying terms to define vehicle types, and it can lead to plenty of confusion when looking for the perfect car.

MPV, SUV, 4X4 and Crossover

There are similarities between these four vehicle types, which is often why they are lumped together for people looking for a certain type of car. But their differences are distinct too. So, to help you narrow down your search and find the right car for you and your family, here are the headlines on each vehicle type.

Which is better, MPV or SUV?

If we get rid of the acronyms, the different benefits of MPVs and SUVs are easier to grasp. SUV cars are Sports Utility Vehicles. They are much like estate cars, but they have the added oomph to cope with off-road terrain. They also have that rugged vibe to their design. So, if something like a Range Rover is the type of look you like, this is the territory you’re in. And what are MPV cars? They’re Multi-Purpose Vehicles. In basic terms, they’re designed to carry larger groups of people. You’ll find MPV cars capable of seating between five and seven passengers comfortably, along with their luggage. They are roomy inside, and this makes them a great choice for bigger families. View our best MPV deals here, our best SUV / Crossover deals here, and our best 4×4 deals here.

What is the difference between an SUV and a 4×4?

So, if an SUV is an off-road car, what’s a 4×4? Well, this is partly why confusion happens, because basically, they are the same. They share a toughness and ability to tow heavy vehicles for example. But traditional 4x4s weren’t built for comfort. In contrast, modern-day SUV cars are. The key difference is in the drive type, a 4×4 means it is a 4 wheel drive whereas an SUV can be a 2 wheel drive vehicle or have the ability to adapt to a 4 wheel drive.

Nissan Qashqai — SUV

If you’re wondering which SUV is the best, it’s hard to whittle choices down. There’s an enormous range on the market, and in broad strokes, they do the same thing. They are high-riding, comfortable, and stylish. But each has its own merits, so choosing the right one for you comes down to your circumstances and chosen terrain.

Is an SUV bigger than an MPV?

Here’s the thing, both come in different sizes. They are generally both categorised as large cars, but you get subsections within the SUV market for starters. There are mini SUVs, compact SUVs, and full-size SUVs.
On the MPV side of things, they tend to be a bit bigger than your average estate, but they too span the small, medium, and large car categories. Seating capacity usually ranges from five to seven seats. So, for example, you could easily try to compare a seven-seater SUV and a seven-seater MPV and feel flummoxed. Here, it’s best to consider not just the size, but it’s purpose.

If you’re an off-road type of family, an SUV seven-seater is a good choice. If you need space and comfort, extra headroom and you’re doing your driving along main roads, an MPV can be the perfect fit.

What is the difference between a crossover and an SUV?

If getting your head around the idea of an MPV vehicle versus an SUV is enough, there are also crossover vehicles. Sometimes referred to as a Crossover Utility Vehicle, or CUV, these cars blend features from SUV cars and family saloons.

That gives you a lofty drive, just like an SUV, and usually, they are 4x4s too, so you have that off-road capability. But they don’t handle rugged terrain as well as a through and through SUV. If you have a little bit of “off-the-beaten-track” driving, this can be a good car to bridge the gap between family comfort and road handling. But first and foremost, crossover cars are made to feel comfortable inside.

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Best 4x4s and SUVs for Motability 2022

SUVs and 4x4s continue to gain in popularity, with seemingly every manufacturer producing SUV models to fill niche gaps in the market.

SUVs and 4x4s continue in their popularity, with seemingly every manufacturer producing SUV models to fill niche gaps in the market. Road-biased ‘crossover’ models have proved especially popular for those who want a high seating positions and lots of space, but will rarely drive off road.

The high seating position and easy access are key factors that have attracted Motability drivers to the SUV market and there is no doubt that the new breed of crossovers makes life on the road more pleasant. As well as ensuring you don’t have to lower yourself into the car, the higher seats in an SUV provide a better view out from behind the wheel.

Below are our top 3 affordable 4x4s for Motability buyers.

Skoda Karoq

If the larger, seven-seat Skoda Kodiaq is too much metal for you, then the Czech manufacturer has the answer in the shape of the mid-size Karoq SUV.

Efficient engines and well-organised trim levels combine with a mature design to bring a solid, almost premium appeal. There’s one five-door body style, and while it only offers five seats, most trim levels come with the VarioFlex adjustable rear bench that allows you to alter the amount of passenger legroom or boot space depending on your needs.

There are sportier SUVs, but the Karoq strikes a pleasing balance between comfort and driving fun. Highlights include the supportive seats, a roomy cabin, well laid out controls and a high quality fit and finish, not to mention plenty of gadgets and toys on top versions — it’s an impressive effort.

But, don’t just take our word for it. Customers voted the Karoq into 18th place overall out of 75 cars in our 2022 Driver Power survey, with good marks for comfort, connectivity and reliability.

These days, no Karoq is available with nil advance payment, but it won’t feel like money wasted if you can afford it.

Ford Puma

The Ford Puma is one of the sharpest SUVs on sale. It successfully mixes driver fun with impressive practicality, making for a solid attempt at a family car.

The Puma’s standard kit count is pretty impressive, too. Specs start with the Puma Titanium, which gets 17-inch alloy wheels, an eight-inch touchscreen, auto headlights and wipers and a suite of safety kit including autonomous emergency braking, cruise control and lane-keep assist.

However, the ST-Line trim is likely to prove popular as it adds a sportier look, a digital instrument cluster and upgraded suspension.

Mild-hybrid tech is also now available throughout the Puma range, offering customers slightly improved fuel economy and cleaner emissions, and no model in the regular Puma line-up will be expensive to run.

You’ll need to pay an initial payment of around £1,000 which still seems exceptional value compared to a deposit on a traditional PCP deal. Buyers will be drawn to the car’s overall refinement, solid build quality and decent range of engines and trim levels. We’ve chosen the Puma over the Kuga as the latter currently needs an initial payment of over £2,000, although it is more spacious.

Renault Captur

The Renault Captur makes a good choice for drivers on the Motability scheme; it’s stylish, practical, easy to get in and out of and represents decent value. It’s based on the Renault Clio, and many of the same plus points apply.

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Top 10 best hybrid SUVs and hybrid 4x4s 2023

SUVs and 4x4s traditionally used a lot of fuel, but there are now plenty of efficient hybrid options in the ever-popular class. These are the best ones to buy right now

Lots of brands have added hybrid technology to their best-selling SUVs and 4x4s, combining the style and practicality buyers want with impressive fuel economy and low CO2 emissions to cut your running costs – allowing you to have your cake and eat it, in other words. It means that the best hybrid SUVs should cover all the family car bases and we’ve tested every one of them to bring you the list below.

The term ‘hybrid’ needs some explanation because nowadays it’s often used to refer to regular petrol and diesel models that incorporate a small 48-volt electric motor to act as a starter motor and generator, taking some of the load off the engine. These are called ‘mild-hybrids’ (MHEVs) and they usually only bring modest improvements in fuel economy compared to a petrol or diesel engine without any kind of electrification.

In our round-up of the best hybrid SUVs, we’ll only be including full-hybrids (often referred to as self-charging hybrids) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). The former use small batteries charged via regenerative braking or the petrol engine plus an electric motor to help the main engine power the car, and they can greatly boost fuel economy. Plug-in hybrids take this a step further with a larger battery and electric motor that can be used to power the car on electricity alone for distances of thirty miles of more. These can be charged the same way as their self-charging siblings, or plugged-in via a cable like a fully-electric car.

As you can guess, with the popularity of both hybrid cars and SUVs, there’s quite a few models to choose from. Here we’re going to list what are, in our opinion, the best hybrid SUVs you can buy today based on our own in-depth testing of every hybrid SUV on sale.

If you’re after PHEV specifically, why not check out our list of the best plug-in hybrid SUVs? If you’re looking to step into the world of electric motoring, we also have a list of the best electric SUVs currently on sale.

Best hybrid SUVs and 4x4s to buy now

Read on for our top hybrid SUV picks and click the links under each one to read the full in-depth reviews…

1. Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

The fourth iteration of the Tucson is by far the best, bringing a striking design and the latest drivetrain technology to what was once just a competent but conservative family SUV. The Hyundai is a great all-rounder, offering a comfortable and composed ride, impressive build quality and efficiency at an affordable price for this type of vehicle. All-wheel drive comes as standard, too. A plug-in hybrid version is available, but the full-hybrid Tucson is our pick as it can still return up to 50mpg and is a good chunk of change cheaper than the PHEV.

2. Kia Niro Hybrid

Our Best Hybrid Family Car for 2023, the Kia Niro is available as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid, as well as a fully-electric Niro EV. It’s the former two we’re focusing on here, though, with the regular Hybrid model being our favourite. It can return up to 60mpg and offers a relaxing and smooth drive around town. Topping this all off, we must say that the latest Niro is also quite the looker, with cues carried over from the larger Sportage and flagship EV6, combined with a class-leading, dual-screen infotainment setup.

Rated ‘Excellent’ Trustpilot

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