13 November 2025
What’s The Difference Between a Crossover, SUV and 4x4?
What is the difference between these 3 different body styles, when they all look the same? Breaking down each car type in detail, we explore crossovers vs SUVs and look at the differences between SUVs vs 4x4s.
What is a 4x4 car?
The 4x4 name comes from the fact the engine is powering all 4 wheels all the time. Historically the most recognisable 4x4 would be the Land Rover Defender or the Toyota FJ40 Land Cruisers.
Built with the body on chassis, this adds exceptional strength whilst slightly sacrificing on-road handling. Having the body bolted to the chassis helps with maintenance of these utilitarian vehicles. Plus, with simple construction, the engine, gearbox and axles all bolt to the chassis, along with the suspension components. The Jeep Wrangler and Toyota Land Cruisers are still built in this style and are known for their ruggedness.
Benefits of a 4x4
- Simple mechanics
- Rugged
- Capable in harsher off-road situations
- Good ground clearance
- Good in snow and mud
- Great tow vehicles
The new Land Rover Defender is now built in a unibody style, where the driveline and suspension components bolt to the body instead of the chassis/frame. The vehicle has full-time all-wheel drive, and it’s still as capable off-road as the older defender.
The body on chassis layout has been adopted and developed for pickups like the Nissan Navara and VW Amarok which is perfect for the intended nature of these vehicles.
Our top 4x4s
Convinced that a 4x4 is the right vehicle for you? Here at Leasing Options, we’ve got a variety of top 4x4 lease deals for you to explore. Here are some of our most popular models:
Backed by that solid 5-year warranty, this car offers a wealth of great standard features: expect traction control, vehicle stability control, Bluetooth connectivity, and brake assist.
The iconic British off-roader is back and better than ever. With an updated and simplified boxy design, this all-new Land Rover model has to be one of the coolest and most capable 4x4s on the market.
The Mitsubishi L200 is one of the most popular and desirable pickup trucks on the roads and is available for van leasing.
The Discovery with room for 7 adults and a standard spec including alloy wheels, air conditioning, electronic traction control, and park distance control.
What is an SUV?
The manufacturers saw the rise in popularity of 4x4s and started to develop models with more creature comforts and refinements. That’s when the SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) was born.
But many people wonder, is an SUV a 4x4? And if not, what’s the difference between an SUV and a 4X4? Well, while an SUV has the same high driving position as a traditional 4x4, the body is sleeker and more stylish in design. Built on a unibody chassis layout, it gives a more car-like feel to the handling and steering.
The body of an SUV is also built in a one-piece unibody style, adding rigidity whilst saving weight. This lower vehicle weight can allow for smaller engines.
Benefits of an SUV
- Unibody construction allows crumple zones and car-like safety in crashes
- Smaller engines offer lower fuel costs and lower emissions
- More car-like to drive around town
- Similar running costs to a car
From the Nissan X-Trail to the Range Rover Velar, the SUV range is vast, offering vehicles to suit various needs and price points. With nearly all SUVs having the option to add 4 wheel drive, they are more capable off-road and in harsher conditions than a conventional car.
Our top SUVs
Designed for drivers who crave performance without sacrificing practicality, it delivers sharp responsiveness, distinctive styling, and a driving experience that stands apart in a crowded segment.
The epitome of luxury, The Range Rover has been the elite all-terrain choice for many a decade and the latest Range Rover Sport model is no exception. Offering a more luxurious driving experience, Range Rover Sport leasing provides superior versatility, comfort and agility.
The X5 is one of the German carmaker’s biggest selling SUVs. It is well-styled, classy inside and out and is brimming with tech and high-spec features. As you would expect of a premium marque, it is built with Germanic precision.
There's so much to recommend about this Skoda. As a starting point, it's a great drive with a smart interior, providing plenty of room for passengers and luggage alike.
The XC90 might be the car for you if you need extra room. It has room for 7 adults, plus cruise control, air conditioning, and MP3 connectivity.
Elegant, quiet, and thoughtfully engineered, it balances modern design with smooth, confident performance. It’s made for drivers who want electric to feel effortless, intuitive, and distinctly premium with that trustworthy Nissan badge.
What is a Crossover?
Following on from the popularity of the SUV came the crossover. The first crossover to be released was the Nissan Qashqai, which brought SUV looks and hatchback technology to the segment.
But what’s the difference between a crossover vs an SUV? Well, crossovers are typically front-wheel drives, with smaller engines than an SUV. They mirror the size and technology in the equivalent hatchback, allowing the crossover to achieve good MPG and low emission figures, whilst having the chunky looks and space of an SUV or 4x4.
Benefits of a Crossover
- Low running costs
- Low emissions
- Easy to drive, especially around town
- Hybrid and electric technologies widely available
The crossover segment has three sizes, the smaller hatchback size like the Skoda Kamiq which is like a VW Polo, or the slightly larger Peugeot 3008 which is a similar size to a Peugeot 308 inside.
The emerging 3rd class size is the supermini sized crossover such as the Nissan Juke and Mazda CX-3.
Our top Crossovers
Refreshed in 2018 to incorporate Land Rover's new design language, the Evoque is the best version yet. The new 5-door carries nothing over from the previous generation other than the name, allowing Land Rover to improve the already hugely successful Evoque in all areas.
The Nissan Qashqai has standard features including a Bluetooth phone integration system, cruise control, a leather steering wheel, and automatic headlamp activation. It’s known for its stylish look and smooth driving experience.
Now in its second generation, the Mazda CX-5 follows the Kodo design language, which is the 'soul of motion', sitting lower than the previous generation. A redesigned front now has graceful but energetic lines.
The Kia Sportage is the company’s best-selling model in the UK and one of the best sellers in its class. The Sportage we know and love today was updated in 2018 to a more contemporary look, keeping KIA's signature tiger-nose grille, but boasting new refined, sharp features.
The RAV4 is a particularly spacious vehicle, offering one of the largest boots in its class. It’s easy to drive, and offers the reliability you'd expect from the Japanese brand.
View our best SUV & Crossover car lease deals available now, with free delivery and road tax included from Leasing Options. Alternatively, you can contact us to talk through your options.
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