Carlike crossover SUVs grab auto show spotlight

0 Comments | USA TODAY, January, 2007 | by James R. Healey and Chris Woodyard

DETROIT -- There's no category hotter in the auto industry than so-called crossover vehicles. And the trend is readily apparent at the auto show here. With the bloom off trucklike SUVs, automakers are seeing families turn increasingly to crossovers, vehicles that offer the ride and driving ease of a car, yet with enough room to haul the whole brood.

Crossovers and sport wagons increased 6.9% in sales last year, a stark contrast to lower sales for traditional SUVs, minivans and pickups in a year dominated by gas price concerns. Even though gas prices have eased, automakers see a bright future for crossovers as they seek to make one for every category -- small, medium and large. Some of the crossovers unveiled at the show: Volvo XC60 concept Volvo has quietly transformed its...