Vehicular Vanity - Get Over It

Yet we're seeing the same thing with crossovers as we saw earlier with wagons. Nobody is calling them what they really are, which are essentially vans with long snouts and front-hinged rear doors. Yet to be stuck with the label of "van" seems to be the kiss of death in today's market. Never mind the fact that a traditional van (full-size or mini) still offers more efficient space utilization and practicality (thanks to that puzzlingly reviled rear sliding door) than these new "crossovers."

Personally, I don't use the term "sport tourer" or "variant" to describe a wagon. It's a wagon. Sometimes I might call it a 5-door, but it's still basically a wagon. I suppose that, due to their emerging stylistic and packaging distinctives, the definition of "crossover" is beginning to solidify. But even still, "tall wagon" would be a more appropriate term for most of them in my vocabulary.

It's going to be interesting to see what term emerges next. "UUV"? (Urban utility vehicle, for the compact-sized crossovers), or EUV (Extreme Utility Vehicle)? This might be the next name for full-size vans, for their "extreme" usefulness. But more likely the "extreme" will refer to the styling or horsepower (and likely, fuel consumption.)

I am still amused by the seemingly extreme and irrational aversion to anything perceived as a van by consumers and automakers alike. I'd still gladly take a rear slider and the boxy functionality of a minivan interior over the sometimes awkwardly contrived proportions and packaging of a "crossover." The question is, how many other people feel the same way, and are willing to be the vehicular contrarians, and actually buy what they need, rather than chasing the lastest trend?