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81-824: The Ford Freestyle is a crossover utility vehicle that was sold by Ford from 2005 to 2009. Largely marketed as the successor to the Ford Taurus station wagon, the Freestyle was the CUV counterpart of the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego four-door sedans. Sharing the Ford D3 platform with the Five Hundred and Montego, the Freestyle was produced with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations and six- or seven-passenger seating. Following

162-468: A body-on-frame chassis construction similar to pickup trucks . A term that originated from North America, the term crossover was initially used for any vehicle that blends characteristics between two different kinds of vehicles while, over time, crossover mostly refers to unibody-based SUVs. Crossovers are also described as "car-like SUVs" or "car-based SUVs". The term SUV is often used as an umbrella term for both crossovers and traditional SUVs due to

243-557: A compact car ( C-segment ). The segment may be called differently depending on the market. In several regions, the category may be known as "compact crossover" or "compact SUV" instead. This category is particularly popular in Europe, India, and Brazil, where it accounted for 37, 75, and 69% respectively of total SUV sales in 2018. In the United States, it accounted for 7% of total SUV sales in 2018. The best-selling vehicle in

324-414: A sailboat or windsurfer . This is especially true when they are heeled over ; consequently, transparent windows are sometimes sewn into the sails. Blind spots also exist around aircraft (helicopters, airships, airplanes, gliders). When the aircraft (airplane) accelerates for take off, the size of the blind spot below fuselage increases. Heavier aircraft can have up to several meters of blind spots. This

405-533: A capable and more efficient alternative to larger truck-based SUVs. Another example is the Volvo V70 XC (also called V70 Cross Country), first introduced in 1999. In 2002, the model was renamed the XC70. Audi has been making Allroad versions of their station wagons since 1999. The Volkswagen Alltrack and Škoda Scout are equivalent variants. The crossover-styled variant of hatchbacks or city cars with

486-474: A crossover SUV segment. These vehicles have been described as pseudo-crossovers. Many manufacturers have released "off-road" versions of station wagons, with larger cargo space and greater practicality, that are marketed as more capable in soft off-road or all-weather situations due to their raised ground clearance, making them a "crossover" between a station wagon and an SUV. In North America, some manufacturers sell station wagons with crossover styling due to

567-622: A distinction between a crossover SUV and body-on-frame SUV, calling both of them SUVs. Several government bodies in the United States also did not acknowledge the crossover distinction, including the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) . In some jurisdictions, crossovers are classified as light trucks as are traditional SUVs and pickup trucks. Outside the United States, the term "crossover" tends to be used for C-segment ( compact ) or smaller vehicles, with large unibody vehicles—such as

648-449: A driving mistake and claims it is even more dangerous than not using it, because it creates other blind spots directly behind the vehicle—nine reasons are listed, e.g. , when backing up—which are impossible to eliminate by a "shoulder check". Rearward invisibility is an entirely different matter. The area directly behind vehicles is the source of backup collisions , particularly involving pedestrians, children, and objects directly aft of

729-405: A horizontal plane in front of the driver. The front-end blind spots caused by this can create problems in traffic situations, such as in roundabouts , intersections , and road crossings . Front-end blind spots are influenced by the following design criteria: Most passenger cars have a diagonal pillar in the side view. The angle between the horizon and A-pillar is approximately 40 degrees with

810-535: A large truck, where the truck driver cannot see. Collisions frequently occur in no zones. A blind zone is one of several areas around heavier rolling stocks (locomotives and multiple units), where the train driver cannot see. Accidents frequently occur in blind zones. The side view mirrors of a car should be adjusted to reduce blind spots on the sides. The method is frequently overlooked in driver's education classes and takes some getting used to. Calculated elimination of blind spots by properly trained drivers

891-469: A manufacturer from maximizing visibility. These include safety, as narrower pillars cannot be made strong as easily as thicker pillars, and size restraints about aerodynamics, as taller, more vertical windshields create additional drag and reduce fuel efficiency. They also include fashion and cost, whereby design and appearance considerations can be deemed preeminent. Side radar systems offer better performance and also warn of fast-approaching vehicles entering

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972-446: A more comfortable ride, better fuel economy, and lower manufacturing costs, but inferior off-road and towing capabilities. Many crossovers lack an all-wheel drive or four-wheel-drive train, which, in combination with their inferior off-road capability, causes many journalists and consumers to question their definition as "sports utility vehicles". This has led some to describe crossovers as pseudo-SUVs. Introduced in 1979, prior to

1053-475: A more gentle impact, directing the pedestrian "up and over" rather than directly into the windscreen. This is particularly true for cars like the Mercedes-Benz A-Class which also have a low angled engine cover. Driver height can also affect visibility. An A-pillar that is split up and has a small triangle window (Front Quarter glass ) can give short driver visibility problems. In some cars,

1134-438: A parking space. Specially designed cross-traffic alert warning systems have been developed to address these. As one is driving an automobile , blind spots are the areas of the road that cannot be seen while looking forward or through either the rear-view or side mirrors (expecting that the side mirrors are properly adjusted on a passenger auto – see above). The most common are the rear quarter blind spots, areas towards

1215-422: A power front driver's seat, a woodgrain interior trim piece, and either Gray Metallic or Arizona Beige Metallic lower body trim. The Limited was the top-of-the-line trim level from 2005 until 2009. It added the following options to the mid-level SEL trim level: dual front heated power seats, leather-trimmed first and second-row seating surfaces (the third-row bench seat was vinyl-trimmed), an A/M-F/M stereo with

1296-523: A revision of the Ford and Mercury model ranges, saying that the shift towards Ford nameplates starting with the letter "F" was forgettable in the eyes of consumers. A key part of the decision was the reinstatement of the Ford Taurus nameplate, which would take the place of the Ford Five Hundred as a mid-cycle update for the 2008 model year. As the Ford Taurus would be produced exclusively as a sedan,

1377-594: A sedan and a small SUV, the Freestyle featured what Ford marketed as Command Seating, featuring a higher H-point , to increase driver visibility and ease of entry and exit. The Freestyle was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award for 2005 (placing second behind the Ford Escape Hybrid ). In 2007, shortly after becoming CEO of Ford Motor Company, Alan Mulally called for

1458-473: A six-disc, in-dash CD/MP3 changer (later with an auxiliary audio input jack and Ford SYNC) and a premium "Audiophile" seven-speaker audio system with rear-mounted subwoofer and external amplifier, satellite radio, color-keyed exterior door handles and side mirrors, and color-keyed lower body trim. The Eddie Bauer Edition , only offered on the Taurus X between 2008 and 2009, was the "luxury" trim level, and added

1539-482: A sloping rear roofline may be marketed as a "coupe crossover SUV" or "coupe SUV". Although the term " coupe " itself is supposed to refer to a passenger car with a sloping or truncated rear roofline, most coupé crossover SUVs are equipped with five doors. The sloping roofline is designed to offer a styling advantage over its standard crossover counterpart. The body style has attracted criticism as being less attractive and less practical than normal crossovers. The BMW X6

1620-465: A straight pillar that is not too thick. This gives the car a strong, aerodynamic body with an adequately sized front door. The sides of a panoramic windshield are curved, which makes it possible to design vertical A-pillars that give the driver maximum forward visibility. However, it is impossible to design an aerodynamic small car with a vertical A-pillar because the more vertical the A-pillar is,

1701-419: A vehicle. That area has been called a "killing zone". These problems are the object of several technological solutions, including (in rough order of technological complexity, simplest first): rear-view mirror , side-view mirror , Fresnel lens , sonar , parking sensors , and backup camera . A similar problem attaches to positions left and right of a vehicle's rear bumper as the driver attempts to back out of

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1782-567: A wagon into a pickup truck or sedan, but this feature never made it onto the production version. The vehicle was originally going to be called the Ford CrossTrainer , but had been renamed the Freestyle by the time the concept was released, due to Ford adopting an ill-fated naming scheme in which all Ford-branded passenger cars except the Mustang and Thunderbird would have a name start with the letter "F". Although its body and chassis

1863-639: Is a class of crossover SUVs that is larger than compact crossover SUVs , but smaller than full-size crossover SUVs . Mid-size crossover SUVs are usually based on the platform of a mid-size (also known as a large family car or a D-segment ) passenger car, while some models are based on a full-size car ( F-segment ) or a compact ( C-segment ) platform. Some mid-size crossovers have three rows of seats, while others have two rows, which led to several brands offering multiple models to cater to both sub-segments. In Australia, American mid-sized crossovers are classified as large SUVs. The first mid-size crossovers included

1944-650: Is credited to be the first coupe crossover. The first crossover convertible was the AMC Eagle marketed by AMC dealers during the 1981 and 1982 model years as the Sundancer, a factory-authorized conversion of the all-wheel-drive two-door sedans. Several convertible crossover SUVs have entered mass production, including the Toyota RAV4 convertible. Released in North America in the 1998 model year, it

2025-448: Is inexpensive and obviates the need for costly technological solutions to that problem, provided drivers take the time to set up and use their mirrors effectively. The arrangement—pointing the side-view mirrors substantially outboard in a fixed mechanical formula—is relatively simple to achieve. Still, it takes some knowledgeable effort and getting used to it. It is reputed to be a lifesaver. However, one source considers that method

2106-482: Is often used as an umbrella term for both crossovers and traditional SUVs. U.S. magazine MotorTrend in 2005 mentioned that the term "crossover" has become "blurred as manufacturers apply it to everything from the Chrysler Pacifica to the Ford Five Hundred sedan". At that time, the publication proposes that the term "soft-roader" is more appropriate. Some regions outside North America do not have

2187-518: Is sometimes considered to include the three-row mid-size crossover class, as in the case of the Jeep Grand Cherokee L . is one of only a few three-door crossovers still in production. While three-door body-on-frame SUVs are not uncommon, crossover SUVs with three doors (including the tailgate door) are less prevalent. The decline of two or three-door vehicles, in general, has led to the decline of this category. Crossover SUVs with

2268-405: Is that a crossover is built using a unibody platform, while an SUV is built using a body-on-frame platform. However, these definitions are often blurred in practice, since unibody vehicles are also often referred to as SUVs. "Crossover" is a relatively recent term, and early unibody SUVs (such as the 1984 Jeep Cherokee ) are rarely called crossovers. Due to these inconsistencies, the term "SUV"

2349-544: Is the world's first mass-produced unibody off-road vehicle and has been credited as a forerunner of crossovers before that term was used, with the '79 AMC Eagle , being the first US example. The Toyota RAV4 , first introduced in 1994, pioneered the modern concept of a crossover. In the US, the market share of crossovers has grown from under 4% in 2000 to nearly 40% in 2018. The difference between crossover SUVs and other SUVs as generally defined by journalists and manufacturers

2430-708: The Audi Q7 , Range Rover , Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg —usually referred to as SUVs rather than crossovers. In the United Kingdom, a crossover is sometimes defined as a hatchback with raised ride height and SUV-like styling features. The Sunday Times noted the number of "soft-roader" cars on sale in 2019. Crossovers' driving characteristics and performance are similar to those of traditional passenger cars while providing more passenger and cargo space with relatively minor trade-offs in fuel economy and running costs. According to Consumer Reports ,

2511-577: The Subaru Legacy SUS (short for "Sport Utility Sedan"), Volvo S60 Cross Country , Polestar 2 , Toyota Crown Crossover , Citroën C4 X and C3L in China, Renault/Dacia Logan Stepway and the Qoros 3 GT . Since the early 2010s, sales of crossover-type vehicles have been increasing in Europe. By 2017, European sales of compact and mid-sized crossover models continued to surge. Analysis of

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2592-565: The Toyota Aygo X , Hyundai Casper , Suzuki Ignis , Renault Kwid , VinFast VF 5 , Suzuki Xbee , and the Fiat Panda Cross/City Cross . Subcompact crossover SUVs (also called B-segment crossover SUV, B-SUV, small SUV ) are crossovers that are usually based on the platform of a subcompact (also known as supermini or B-segment ) passenger car, although some high-end subcompact crossover models are based on

2673-676: The Toyota Corolla and Toyota Carina . At its release, Toyota in Japan used the term "4x4 vehicle" to describe the model, while Toyota in the US called the vehicle a "new concept SUV". By the early 2000s, Toyota was leading the market in its development of car-based trucks in North America with the release of other crossover models such as the Highlander and the Lexus RX . In North America, crossovers increased in popularity during

2754-491: The Toyota Highlander and Pontiac Aztek , both introduced for the 2001 model year. The segment is most popular in North America and China, where larger vehicles are preferred. It makes up 15.8% of the total United States car market. In Europe, the segment covers 2.1% of the total market in 2019 with luxury crossover SUVs dominating most of the share. The Toyota Highlander/Kluger was the best-selling vehicle in

2835-444: The 2000s, when fuel efficiency standards for light trucks, which had been stuck at 20.7 miles per US gallon (11.4 L/100 km; 8.8 km/L) since 1996, moved upwards by 2005. With increasing fuel prices, traditional SUVs began to lose market share to crossovers. In the United States as of 2006 , crossover models comprised more than 50% of the overall SUV market. Crossovers have become increasingly popular in Europe also since

2916-657: The CVT (FWD versions used an Aisin F21++ six-speed automatic). 55% of buyers selected the Haldex Traction -equipped all-wheel drive model rather than the expected 40%. Introduced as a 2005 model largely in place of the Ford Taurus station wagon, the Freestyle was marketed as a crossover utility vehicle, a new market segment at the time. As with the Ford Five Hundred/Mercury Montego, the Freestyle

2997-490: The European new car market by data firm JATO Dynamics reveals that SUVs which mostly consisted of crossovers took almost 40% of the market in 2019, with the crossover segment being a key driver of growth for volume and profits. Driver visibility Blind spots exist in a wide range of vehicles: aircraft, cars, buses, trucks, agricultural equipment, heavy equipment, boats, ships, trams and trains. Blind spots may occur in

3078-946: The Freestyle nameplate has been used as an off-road styling trim for the EcoSport and the Ka in Latin America, the latter also sold as the Ford Freestyle in India and as the Ford Figo Freestyle in South Africa. Crossover (automobile) A crossover , crossover SUV , or crossover utility vehicle ( CUV ) is a type of automobile with an increased ride height that is built on unibody chassis construction shared with passenger cars , as opposed to traditional sport utility vehicles ( SUVs ), which are built on

3159-565: The Freestyle, on non-limited trims, the lower body and wheel well trim were painted in a contrasting color (as with all Ford SUVs). Matching the Ford Explorer, the Taurus X introduced an outdoors-themed Eddie Bauer trim level. As with its sedan counterpart, the Taurus X featured major powertrain updates over its predecessor. The 203hp 3.0L V6 was replaced by an all-new 3.5L Duratec 35 V6 engine, raising output to 263hp. The ZF-Batavia CVT

3240-472: The all-new Ford Taurus X nameplate was introduced to take the place of the Freestyle. The nameplate change was announced shortly after its unveiling at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show as a 2008 production model. To bring it in line with the styling of other Ford light-truck lines, the Taurus X was given a flush-mounted three-bar horizontal chrome grille (similar to the Ford Edge , as are the headlights). As with

3321-780: The blind spot. Blind spots also exist around trams (streetcars/trolleys) and trains (locomotives with railway carriages and multiple units). Heavier rolling stocks can have up to several meters of blind spot. This is generally known as the dead visual range of a train. To address this, cameras are sometimes placed around the train driver's cab to cover the missing field of view during coupling/decoupling between locomotives and railcars, multiple units, special railway equipments or another locomotives. Blind spots also exist around agricultural equipment (utility tractors, combine harvesters, etc.). Blind spots also exist around heavy equipment (excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders, cranes, etc.). Blind spots also exist in front of boats and ships. When

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3402-410: The boat accelerates, the bow rises, increasing the size of the blind spot. Large vessels can have up to several hundreds of meters of blind spots. This is generally known as the dead visual range of a ship. To address this, cameras are sometimes placed in the front of the vessel to cover the missing field of view. Blind spots exist where areas behind the sail are obscured from the view of a helmsman on

3483-544: The category in 2018, with 387,869 sold worldwide. Full-size crossover SUVs are usually based on full-size cars . They are the largest crossovers and offer exclusively three row seating. The first full-size crossovers included the Ford Freestyle , GMC Acadia , Saturn Outlook , and the Buick Enclave , with older full-size SUVs being built mostly above a body-on-frame chassis. The full-size crossover SUV class

3564-681: The convertible version, since it could only have two doors and little luggage space. Many manufacturers have capitalized on the SUV trend by offering a version of station wagons, hatchbacks, or MPVs with a raised ride height and the addition of rugged-looking accessories such as a black plastic wheel arch extension kit, body cladding, skid plates , and roof rails. Due to their raised ground clearance, these vehicles may then be marketed as more capable off-road. Some of them may also be equipped with an all-wheel-drive. This strategy has been used by manufacturers to move models upmarket or to help fill an absence in

3645-565: The driver to see better around the obstruction and allows the driver better depth perception. Because there is no roof connection between the A- and B-pillars, the A-pillars of a convertible automobile have to be stronger and even thicker. However, with the top down there are no B or C pillars, improving visibility behind the driver. It is best if the dashboard has a non-reflecting dark-colored surface. A small dashboard gives some reflection on

3726-687: The early 2010s. In the first quarter of 2023 the Tesla Model Y crossover became the best-selling vehicle in the world. Depending on the market, crossovers are divided into several size categories. Since there is an absence of any official distinction, often the size category is ambiguous for some crossover models. Several aspects needed to determine the size category of a vehicle may include length and width, positioning in its respective brand line-up, platform , and interior space. Crossover city cars (also called A-SUVs, city SUVs, city crossovers, or A-segment SUVs) are crossovers that generally ride on

3807-531: The first American Ford vehicles to use a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Freestyle, Five Hundred and Montego used a chain-type CVT, while the Escape Hybrid used a CVT transaxle that utilized a planetary gearset controlled by the electric generator, similar to the Toyota Prius. All Freestyles were equipped with the CVT, but only all-wheel drive (AWD) Five Hundred and Montego models used

3888-637: The first MPVs with a crossover-style variant was the Renault Scénic RX4 , introduced in 2000. It featured a lifted ride height, rugged body cladding, tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and optional part-time four-wheel-drive. Another example is the Volkswagen CrossTouran , launched in 2006 as a lifted version of the Touran and marketed as a "lifestyle" vehicle. Apart from crossover-style variants equipped with exterior accessories, due to

3969-526: The following features as standard equipment: a 3.0L "DuraTec" V6 engine, a CVT transmission (Freestyle only) or a 6 speed automatic transmission (Taurus X only), seventeen-inch alloy wheels and tires, an A/M-F/M stereo with a single-disc CD player and a four-speaker audio system, manual front and rear air conditioning with front controls, cloth seating surfaces, power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, an aluminum interior trim piece, black door handles and side mirrors, and matte gray lower body trim. The SEL

4050-418: The following options to the base SEL trim level: an A/M-F/M stereo with a single-disc CD/MP3 player and an auxiliary audio input jack with Ford SYNC, satellite radio, two-tone leather-trimmed first and second-row seating surfaces (the third-row bench seat was vinyl-trimmed), dual heated power front seats, color-keyed door handles, and Arizona Beige Metallic or Ingot Silver Metallic lower body trim. Since 2005,

4131-598: The former's unpopularity, the Subaru Outback being the most popular model. An early model of off-road-styled station wagons was the Subaru Legacy Outback (later Outback) in 1994. At the time, Subaru was absent in the growing SUV segment. Lacking the finances to design a ground-up SUV, Subaru added a two-tone paint scheme, body cladding, and a suspension lift to the Legacy wagon. It was marketed as

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4212-463: The front of the driver when the A-pillar (also called the windshield pillar), side-view mirror , or interior rear-view mirror block a driver's view of the road. Behind the driver, cargo, headrests, and additional pillars may reduce visibility. Proper adjusting of mirrors and using other technical solutions can eliminate or alleviate vehicle blind spots. A no zone is one of several areas around

4293-410: The horizon. A flatter A-pillar's advantages include reducing the overall drag coefficient and making the car body stronger in a frontal collision, at the expense of reducing driver visibility in a 180° field of view from left to right. A flatter A-pillar (and therefore windscreen) is also a factor when calculating the effects of a collision with a pedestrian. In general, a flatter angle will result in

4374-444: The increasing crossover market shares, many manufacturers began developing MPVs from the ground up with crossover characteristics – and often marketed them either purely as an MPV or as a "crossover MPV" – such as the 5th generation of Renault Espace . The innovative unibody all-wheel drive AMC Eagle was available in two- and four-door sedan versions when introduced in 1979. Some examples of sedans with crossover characteristics are

4455-443: The innovative station wagon with a sliding roof "mashed up various vehicle types." It was available only with a conventional rear-wheel drive . Others cite the front-wheel drive 1977 Matra Rancho as a slightly earlier forerunner to the modern crossover. Marketed as a "lifestyle" vehicle, it was not available with four-wheel drive. In 1981, American Motors Corporation (AMC) introduced four-wheel drive subcompact models built on

4536-561: The late 2010s, the segment had emerged as the most popular segment in several regions. For example, nearly 1 in every 4 cars (24.2%) sold in the United States in 2019 was a compact crossover. It also comprised 5.6% of the total European car market. The best-selling vehicle in the segment in 2019 was the Toyota RAV4, with 961,918 units sold globally. In late 2020 the Volkswagen ID.4 and Ford Mustang Mach-E debuted as battery electric compact crossover SUVs. A mid-size crossover SUV

4617-470: The less space the door opening has, and the greater frontal area and coefficient of drag the vehicle will have. Examples of cars with an almost vertical A-pillar: Some modern car designs have an extremely flat A-pillar angle with the horizon. For example, the Pontiac Firebird and Chevrolet Camaro from 1993 to 2002 had a windshield angle of 68° with the vertical, which equals just 22° with

4698-443: The lower part of the windshield. A big dashboard can give a reflection on eye height. It is best if the inside of the A-pillar has a non-reflecting dark-colored surface. If the side of the window is curved there is less A-pillar reflection. Some new model cars have a very big sunroof . Sometimes the sunlight through the roof lights up the dashboard and gives a reflection in the windshield. Other design factors may prevent

4779-607: The market share of compact crossovers in the US increased from 6 to more than 11%. In 2014, for the first time ever, sales of compact crossovers outpaced mid-size sedans in the United States. In 2019, the American magazine Car and Driver stated that "so many of these vehicles are crowding the marketplace, simply sorting through them can be a daunting task". Due to its popularity and to cater to customers' needs, many manufacturers offer more than one compact crossover, usually in slightly different sizes at different price points. By

4860-541: The opposite effect, leading to a major decrease in sales. During its production, the Taurus X was partially affected by the automotive industry crisis of 2008–10 . Although more fuel-efficient than SUVs such as the V8-engined Ford Expedition and Ford Explorer, full-size crossovers such as the Taurus X were avoided in favor of smaller crossovers and sedans. In 2009, the Ford Flex was introduced as

4941-546: The platform of a city car ( A-segment ). Crossover city car is a newly introduced automotive vehicle segment , with the first vehicle in the segment being the Fiat Panda Cross , though the Suzuki Ignis helped bring the segment more attention. Cars in this segment are generally styled as hatchbacks . Since the late 2010s, the segment has received significantly more attention. As of 2023 , examples include

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5022-478: The platform, making the final vehicles significantly different. Design-wise, the car itself bore several visual resemblances to the Australian market Ford Territory , especially in the rear third of the car. Power came from a 3.0 L (181 cu in) Duratec V6, with an output of 203 hp (151 kW) at 5750 rpm. The Freestyle, along with the Five Hundred, Mercury Montego, and the Ford Escape Hybrid , were

5103-416: The rear of the vehicle on both sides. Vehicles in the adjacent lanes of the road that fall into these blind spots may not be visible using only the car's mirrors. Rear quarter blind spots can be: Other areas that are sometimes called blind spots are those that are too low to see behind, in front, or to the sides of a vehicle, especially those with a high seating point. This diagram shows the blocked view in

5184-521: The replacement for the discontinued Ford Freestar/Mercury Monterey . The Taurus X was discontinued for the 2009 model year, with the Flex unofficially serving as its replacement. The 2005-2007 Ford Freestyle, and the 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, were offered in several different trim levels: The base SE trim level, only offered on the Freestyle between 2005 and 2006, was the "base" trim level, and offered

5265-588: The return of the Ford Taurus for the 2008 model year, the Freestyle underwent a mid-cycle revision and was renamed the Ford Taurus X , marketed in the United States and Canada , as well as South Korea and the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico , U.S. Virgin Islands , and Guam . Following the 2009 model year, the Taurus X was withdrawn. From the 2009 model year, the larger Ford Flex has served as

5346-496: The same body was introduced either as a substitute for or a complement to the subcompact crossover SUV. Most crossover-styled hatchbacks do not have all-wheel-drive. Forerunners of the SUV-themed hatchback are the 1983 Fiat Panda 4x4 , the 1994 Outback Sport , the 1996 Toyota Starlet Remix , and the 2003 Rover Streetwise . The Volkswagen Golf Country, a conversion by Steyr-Daimler-Puch, was also sold between 1990 and 1991, and

5427-505: The segment in 2019 was the Honda HR-V, with 622,154 units being recorded as having been sold worldwide. A compact crossover SUV (also called C-segment SUV or C-SUV ) is a vehicle that is usually based on the platform of a compact car ( C-segment ), while some models are based on a mid-size car ( D-segment ) or a subcompact ( B-segment ) platform. Most compact crossovers have two-row seating, but some have three rows. The naming of

5508-484: The segment may differ depending on the market. In several regions outside North America, the category may be known as "mid-size crossover" or "mid-size SUV", not to be confused with the North American definition of a mid-size crossover SUV, which is a larger D-segment crossover SUV. The first compact crossover was the 1980 AMC Eagle that was based on the compact-sized Concord line. Its four-wheel drive system

5589-442: The similarities between them. Compared to traditional SUVs, crossovers are known to be less capable of use in off-road conditions or hauling heavy loads, while instead offering other advantages such as superior fuel economy and handling . Compared to traditional cars with lower ride height and a lower roof such as sedans and hatchbacks , crossovers offer larger cabin space and enhanced driving position. The 1977 Lada Niva

5670-412: The terms "SUV" or "crossover" being coined, the AMC Eagle is retroactively considered to be the first dedicated crossover automobile. The mass-market Eagle model line was based on a unibody passenger car platform, with fully-automatic four-wheel drive and a raised ride height. Furthermore, a writer for Motor Trend characterized the 1963 Studebaker Wagonaire as the "first crossover" because

5751-503: The three top-selling crossovers in the US in 2018 ( Toyota RAV4 , Honda CR-V , and Nissan Rogue ) return an average of 10% less fuel economy than the top three selling sedan equivalents in the mid-size segment ( Toyota Camry , Honda Accord , Nissan Altima ), but provide almost 1.5 times the cargo space. Furthermore, the average mid-size crossover in the US costs less than 5% more than the average mid-size car. Compared to truck-based SUVs, crossovers typically have greater interior comfort,

5832-546: The three-row Ford CUV/wagon. From 2005 to 2009, the Freestyle/Taurus X was assembled at Chicago Assembly ( Chicago, Illinois ); the final vehicle was produced on February 27, 2009. The Freestyle was previewed at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show with the Freestyle FX Concept before entering production for the 2005 model year. The FX concept featured a unique rear end design that could be converted from

5913-419: The two-door AMC Spirit , the "Eagle SX/4" and "Eagle Kammback." These low-priced models joined the compact AMC Eagle line and they foreshadowed the market segment of comfortable cars with utility and foul-weather capabilities. The first-generation Toyota RAV4, released in 1994, has been credited as the model that expanded the concept of a modern crossover. The RAV4 was based on a modified platform used by

5994-478: The windshield is fillet with the roof-line with a big radius. A fillet round A-pillar can give a tall driver visibility problems. Also sometimes the A-pillar can block the driver from seeing motorcyclists. Also, the B-pillar can block the vision of a tall driver in small 4-door cars. A driver may reduce the size of a blind spot or eliminate it by turning their head in the direction of the obstruction. This allows

6075-428: Was an almost unheard-of feature on regular passenger cars at the time, and it came with full-time all-wheel drive, automatic transmission, power steering, power front disk brakes as standard, and numerous convenience and comfort options. Later models included the 1994 Toyota RAV4 , 1995 Honda CR-V , 1997 Subaru Forester , 2000 Nissan X-Trail , 2000 Mazda Tribute , and the 2001 Ford Escape . Between 2005 and 2010,

6156-421: Was available with front-wheel drive as standard with all-wheel drive as an option; the CVT of the all-wheel drive Five Hundred was the sole transmission on the Freestyle. The 203hp 3.0L Duratec V6 was the standard engine. In contrast to a Taurus station wagon, the Freestyle featured forward-facing third-row seating (similar to the Ford Explorer and Ford Expedition). Although designed with ground clearance between

6237-500: Was offered through the 1999 model year. Other examples include the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet , Range Rover Evoque Convertible , and Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet . This category was heavily criticized by journalists, enthusiasts, and analysts for numerous reasons, such as its design and high price tag. Some also questioned its purpose, as the practicality that crossovers usually have did not carryover to

6318-550: Was offered with part-time four-wheel drive and off-road exterior cladding. In the 2000s, the Volkswagen CrossPolo started the modern crossover-style hatchback trend and was marketed as an SUV-like "lifestyle" vehicle. The Dacia/Renault Sandero Stepway, the crossover-style version of the Sandero launched in 2009, is an example of a well-received crossover-style hatchback, making up 65% of Sandero sales. One of

6399-407: Was replaced by an all-new Ford/GM 6-speed automatic transmission , while all-wheel drive remained an option. To increase its functionality, the Taurus X featured new power options, including a power-operated rear liftgate and power-folding second-row seats. Although the renaming of the Taurus sedan would improve its sales over the Five Hundred, the renaming of the Freestyle to the Taurus X would have

6480-489: Was the mid-level trim level between 2005 and 2006, and the base trim level from 2007 until 2009. It added the following options to the base SE trim level: a 3.5L "DuraTec" V6 engine (2008 and 2009 Taurus X only), a six-speed automatic transmission (2008 and 2009 Taurus X only), sport-styled seventeen-inch alloy wheels, a security system, an A/M-F/M stereo with a single-disc CD/MP3 player and an auxiliary audio input jack, dual-zone automatic air conditioning with rear controls,

6561-651: Was used to produce the Mercury Meta One concept vehicle, no Lincoln-Mercury version of the Freestyle ever reached production. For the Freestyle/Taurus X, Ford used its Volvo-derived D3 platform architecture. Sharing a common platform with the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego , all four vehicles were derived from the Volvo P2 platform used for the first-generation Volvo S80 and Volvo XC90 . To accommodate production costs for Ford and durability concerns for North American roads, many revisions were made to

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