SUV space with car-like fuel economy and handling. The most popular segment in the 252.
Crossovers outsell every other vehicle type in America, and the 252 is no different. The Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Nissan Rogue, and Hyundai Tucson dominate local dealer lots. They seat five, get 26-33 MPG, and fit a stroller and grocery bags behind the rear seat. Most are built on car platforms, so they handle and ride like sedans while sitting 4-5 inches higher off the ground.
AWD is available on most crossovers but adds $1,500-$3,000 to the used price. In the Eastern North Carolina, front-wheel drive handles everything except the occasional ice storm. If you're not regularly driving unpaved roads or mountain passes, FWD saves you money upfront and gets slightly better gas mileage. The RAV4 and CR-V are the highest-volume crossovers in the 252 - that means the most inventory to choose from and the easiest to find parts for.