Compare the best crossovers

Good question, and potentially a legally interesting one seeing as many countries are talking about introducing higher taxes for SUVs and crossovers. Crossovers started out as half-way houses between estates and 4x4s (Subaru’s original Legacy Outback was arguably one of the first crossover cars) but they’ve evolved now into a mixture of SUV and small hatchback. Basically, if you’re shopping with a small car budget, but you want the higher driving position and hatchback (or estate) space, you’re going to be buying a crossover. The term is pretty much interchangeable with 'small SUV'.

Again, a good question — basically it comes down to size, but this is a string of many lengths, so to speak. The case for being a crossover is obvious when you look at cars such as a Peugeot 2008 or Renault Captur. They sit in an obvious gap in the lineup between smaller hatchbacks such as the Peugeot 208 or Renault Clio, but beneath larger hatches such as the Peugeot 308 and the Renault Megane. For bigger crossovers, it’s a little more confusing. Could you argue that the Nissan Qashqai is an SUV rather than a crossover? Yes, you could, but perhaps it comes down to intent — a crossover is a car that will likely never leave the tarmac, whereas an SUV might see occasional off-road use.

Step forward the Volkswagen Tiguan, which with its 652-litre boot space (loaded up to the luggage cover) offers you more storage space than any other.

Yes, and more are arriving all the time. The Peugeot e-2008, Vauxhall Mokka-e, Volvo XC40 and C40 Recharge, MG ZS EV, Kia Soul and e-Niro, Hyundai Kona electric, Mercedes-Benz EQA, Mazda MX-30, DS 3 Crossback, and the Lexus UX300e are all already on sale. Many more are coming soon.