Today crossovers are very popular among motorists. At the same time, there are many people who do not see any difference between SUVs, crossovers and full-fledged SUVs. Moreover, most of these types of cars have access to all-wheel drive. Many people have a question: what is the difference, and why are SUVs needed in our time?
The most harmful myth, which is entrenched in the market today with the help of marketers, boils down to the fact that there is no difference between an SUV, a crossover and an SUV. Moreover, when equipping any of the listed vehicles with all-wheel drive, there is no difference between them, even off-road. Adherents of this version like to argue that in full-fledged SUVs, the transmission is simply controlled mechanically, while in SUVs and crossovers, the control is electronically controlled. In fact, things are not as simple as some car dealers are trying to imagine.
The difference between a crossover and an all-wheel-drive SUV is actually very big. The SUV is an ordinary family car that has a number of crossover features, but the off-road qualities of such a car, to put it mildly, leave much to be desired. Such a car is only a place on a city road or highway. The all-wheel-drive crossover demonstrates much better off-road flotation and endurance than the front-wheel drive crossover. However, he is still far from the capabilities of a true cross-country conqueror. Why? In fact, the answer lies in the very same transmission control system.
Imagine a situation: one wheel is in the air or in the ground with poor traction, and the other wheel is on firm ground with excellent traction. The motorist tries to drive forward and then the first wheel begins to turn and skid, and the second will simply stand still. In such a situation, there is no resistance on the skid wheel, which means there is no torque either. As a result, the moment will be equal to zero on the second wheel. This is due to the work of the differential, which realizes the alignment. If nothing is done, the car will not budge. In this case, the type of differential (interaxle or interwheel) does not matter.
Solving the problem described above is simple - by locking the differential. It is for this that SUVs have a special mechanical system. Not a single crossover has such. But there is an electronic lock. The bottom line is that this system is a greatly simplified and much cheaper version of what motorists see on full-fledged SUVs. In fact, the electronic system does not block the differential, but deceives it - it slows down a freely rotating or skidding wheel.
As a result, the torque increases, the differentials are aligned, the car gets a chance to get out of the trap. However, the crossover differential lock option cannot be compared in terms of efficiency with a mechanical system. And therefore, off-road, the two types of cars can never be compared. The assertion that a crossover can also dashingly cut across rough terrain is a harmful and even dangerous delusion.
If you want to know even more interesting things, then you should read about why trucks raise the rear wheels while traveling.