When did crossovers become popular?

Crossovers (car-based SUVs) began gaining traction in the mid-2000s, became firmly mainstream in the early 2010s, and by about 2016–2017 they surpassed traditional sedans in U.S. sales—marking the point at which the crossover moved from a niche to the default family vehicle in many markets. The shift continued into the late 2010s and early 2020s, culminating with the Tesla Model Y—a crossover—becoming the world’s best-selling vehicle in 2023.

What “crossover” means in this context

In the auto industry, a crossover (often called a CUV) is a sport-utility-style vehicle built on a unibody car platform rather than a truck-style body-on-frame chassis. That construction delivers car-like ride and efficiency with the higher seating position and usable cargo space SUV buyers want. Although “crossover” can describe mashups in entertainment or fashion, this article focuses on automotive crossovers.

How the crossover took over: a timeline

The rise of the crossover wasn’t an overnight phenomenon. It unfolded over three decades, from early experiments to mass adoption and global dominance. The following milestones show how the segment moved from concept to category king.

1. 1990s: Origins and first movers. Models like the Toyota RAV4 (1994 in Japan; 1996 U.S.), Honda CR‑V (1995/1997), and Subaru Forester (1997) introduced the formula of car-like dynamics with SUV utility. The Lexus RX (1998) brought the recipe to the luxury market.
2. Early 2000s: Expansion and normalization. Mainstream entries such as the Ford Escape (2000) and Nissan Murano (2002) broadened appeal, while safety and refinement improved. Consumers began shifting from sedans and minivans to crossovers, especially families.
3. Mid-to-late 2000s: Establishing a beachhead. Skyrocketing fuel prices in 2008 and stricter efficiency standards favored unibody crossovers over larger body-on-frame SUVs. Automakers accelerated platform sharing to add more sizes and price points.
4. Early 2010s: The mainstream moment. Subcompact and compact crossovers (e.g., Nissan Juke, Buick Encore, Honda HR‑V, Mazda CX‑3, Jeep Renegade) filled every niche. Improved powertrains narrowed fuel-economy gaps with sedans.
5. 2016–2017: The U.S. tipping point. Crossovers and SUVs collectively outpaced traditional passenger cars by a wide margin; crossovers on their own became the default new vehicle for many buyers, eclipsing sedans in many segments and showrooms.
6. Late 2010s–early 2020s: Global dominance. Europe and China saw sustained surges in SUV/crossover demand. Automakers prioritized crossover lineups, including hybrids and EVs. In 2023, the Tesla Model Y—a compact electric crossover—became the world’s best-selling vehicle, underscoring the segment’s ascendancy.

Taken together, these milestones show a steady evolution from pioneering products to a diversified, global lineup that reshaped automotive market shares.

Why crossovers caught on

Consumer preferences, regulatory pressures, and automaker strategy all converged to make crossovers the modern default. These factors explain the appeal.

• Practicality without penalties: Higher seating position, easy ingress/egress, and flexible cargo space—yet with car-like ride and handling.
• Efficiency gains: Unibody construction and smaller, turbocharged or hybrid powertrains closed the fuel-economy gap with sedans.
• All-weather confidence: Widely available all-wheel drive and better ground clearance for light snow or rough roads.
• Safety perception and tech: Elevated driving position and rapid adoption of advanced driver-assistance systems boosted buyer confidence.
• Design and lifestyle marketing: Rugged aesthetics and “active lifestyle” positioning resonated across demographics.
• Automaker economics: Shared platforms and global architectures made it cheaper to build many sizes and variants, encouraging rapid portfolio growth.

As these advantages stacked up, crossovers appealed to both traditional car buyers seeking comfort and SUV buyers wanting efficiency, creating a broad, durable demand base.

Regional dynamics

While the crossover surge was global, the timing and intensity varied by market as fuel prices, urban density, and consumer habits differed.

United States

The U.S. pivoted fastest in the mid‑to‑late 2010s. As gasoline prices fluctuated and consumers prioritized versatility, crossovers displaced sedans as the default family vehicle. Lineups expanded from subcompact to three-row models, and luxury brands followed suit with crossover-heavy sales mixes.

Europe

Europe adopted crossovers later but decisively. Compact and subcompact “SUVs” (often crossovers) won over hatchback and wagon buyers in the late 2010s, aided by efficient small engines, mild hybrids, and expanding EV options.

China

China saw rapid growth in the mid‑2010s, with local and global brands racing to meet demand. Compact and entry-level crossovers became volume drivers as first-time buyers sought space and status at accessible prices.

Notable markers of popularity

Several high-impact launches and sales milestones illustrate the segment’s ascent and staying power across price tiers and powertrains.

• Pioneers that defined the template: Toyota RAV4, Honda CR‑V, Subaru Forester, Lexus RX.
• Portfolio breadth: From tiny urban crossovers to three-row family haulers and performance variants (e.g., AMG, M, and RS-badged models).
• Electrification: Crossovers became the dominant body style for hybrid and electric offerings, culminating in the Tesla Model Y’s 2023 global sales crown.

Together, these markers show that crossovers didn’t just become popular—they became the platform of choice for mainstream, luxury, and electric mobility alike.

Summary

Crossovers started gaining momentum in the mid‑2000s, went fully mainstream in the early 2010s, and by around 2016–2017 eclipsed sedans in the U.S., with similar shifts following in Europe and China. Their blend of practicality, efficiency, and broad model availability entrenched them as the dominant vehicle type into the 2020s—underscored by the Tesla Model Y’s status as the world’s best‑selling vehicle in 2023.

When did the term crossover start?

The earliest known use of the noun crossover is in the late 1700s. OED’s earliest evidence for crossover is from 1795, in the Hull Advertiser.

Does Gen Z prefer sedans or SUVs?

Insurance Costs
This goes some way towards explaining the prevalence of sedans like the Honda Civic on the list of Gen Z’s favorite cars, as opposed to gas-guzzling SUVs with higher repair costs, which would attract sky-high insurance premiums most people in that age group can not afford.

Why are all cars crossovers now?

Crossovers are popular now because of their cargo practicality, passenger space, and increased height (allowing for road visibility and ease of entry/exit).

What was the first luxury crossover?

RX
Twenty-five years ago Lexus introduced the first RX, the world’s first-ever luxury crossover, at the 1998 North American International Auto Show.