What's the difference between CUV, SUV, and MPV cars?

What's the difference between CUV, SUV, and MPV cars?

CUV, SUV, MPV are 3 multi-purpose vehicles that are easy to confuse with many people, especially CUV and SUV. Therefore, before buying one of these three models, consumers should learn more carefully to choose the right car for themselves and their families.

First, we will learn the difference between the concept of these 3 types of vehicles. 

SUV is the abbreviation of Sport Utility Vehicle, which is a family car with high ground clearance and can go many terrains. In Vietnam, this model has options such as Mitsubishi pajero sport, Ford Everest, Toyota Fortuner, BMW X5, Audi Q7, Vinfast Lux FA 2.0, etc.

CUV stands for Crossover Utility Vehicle, a type of car designed in a sporty cross-country style, also suitable for small families, smaller cars, lower ground clearance than SUVs. CUV is actually a hybrid of SUV and Sedan like Mazda CX5, Honda CRV, Kia Sorento.

MPV stands for Multiple - Purpose Vehicle, is a multi-purpose vehicle with a spacious design with many functions, especially able to switch between carrying people and carrying goods very flexibly. In Vietnam, popular MPV cars are Toyota Innova, Mitsubishi Xpander, Ford Tourneo, Kia Sedona, etc. For the MPV line with a larger configuration from 9 to 16 seats, it is called a van. Vehicles are often used for passenger transport business or used in businesses. Popular names such as: Grand Starex VIP 9 seats, Toyota Hiace 16 seats, Ford Transit 16 seats, Mercedes Benz Winter 16 seats. 

What CUV, SUV, MPV have in common are all cars with high ground clearance and can carry more people than Sedan, Coupe or Hatchback lines. In particular, CUV and SUV are two lines with quite similar body structure, MPV is easier to distinguish. 

Of these three models, SUVs have the highest ground clearance, followed by CUVs and MPVs with the lowest ground clearance of the three. 

The second factor mentioned is the purpose of use, with the same high ground clearance, large space, ability to run on difficult terrain, so SUVs and CUVs are often popular with families that do not have too many members. However, for offroad quality, CUVs cannot be compared to SUVs because SUVs have more off-road support features such as bridge locking, visai lock, part-time 4-wheel drive with the standard active bridge being the rear axle. While most CUVs are front-wheel drive, some cars have the option of full-time 4-wheel drive, but the main driving task is still 2 front wheels.

 Small MPVs like Xpander have front-wheel drive, mid-size and large cars like Innova and transit have rear-wheel drive. However, because of its large size and no 4-wheel drive system, in general MPV cars are not really optimal when going offroad, so MPVs are often bought for transportation business or large families. generation. Crossover has a chassis that is attached to the body of the vehicle, so the vehicle is compact and lightweight like a Sedan, so the useful space is larger than the load frame, which is heavy, bulky and has limited transportation space, but the disadvantage of a monolithic chassis is noise. , the vibration from the tire echoing from the passenger compartment is more audible than the SUV. This also causes the same thing with MPV. However, of the three vehicles above, MPV has the best carrying space thanks to the ability to fold and flex the rear seats to switch from carrying passengers to carrying goods.

The last factor we find out the difference with SUVs, CUVs and MPVs is the ability to cross the terrain thanks to the chassis structure that helps prevent twisting on difficult terrain, increases load capacity, reduces noise and impact use of the road surface to the vehicle compartment. SUVs have better performance in carrying, towing and off-road terrain than CUVs. However, the ability to cross the terrain of CUV is better than MPV. In fact, with the characteristics of a long body, many seats, and low ground clearance, it is difficult for the MPV to cross the terrain well. With the knowledge of three types of SUV, CUV and MPV hope many people will choose the right vehicle for their own and family's use.