Skip to content

Crossover makes the grade for Mom

"Determined-to-stay-hip mom looking for suitable partner. Must be greatlooking, very reliable, able to protect me and the kids, lots of fun and a great performer. "Must know how to accessorize; may wear leather.

"Determined-to-stay-hip mom looking for suitable partner. Must be greatlooking, very reliable, able to protect me and the kids, lots of fun and a great performer.

"Must know how to accessorize; may wear leather. Must be able to make children feel comfortable, help with the groceries and other cargo and shouldn't mind the occasional jumping dog. No high-maintenance types or guzzlers need apply."

Is this a description of the perfect man or the perfect car? Hmm-.

While men have often been known to compare cars to women, it's easy to turn the tables.

After all, when it comes to both men and cars, most women have to contend with a couple of losers before finding that so-called perfect match.

"Soccer moms," as a group, have had it even worse - having to choose between the nerdy minivan (smart, but terminally uncool) or dumb jock SUV (lots of brawn, not much brains).

But no more. Car manufacturers have finally "gotten it" and are producing cars that combine practicality with good looks for a more well-rounded allure.

While no family hauler will ever have the sex appeal of a sporty roadster, today's family cars have oodles more charm and magnetism than previous generations.

The word to remember is Crossovers. A crossover is a vehicle that straddles vehicle categories, combining the best features of, say, an SUV and a wagon into one vehicle.

Some of the newer crossovers combine the virtues of minivans, SUVs and wagons into one.