A crossover SUV (also called CUV for Crossover Utility Vehicle) is an automobile with a sport utility vehicle appearance but is built upon a more economical and fuel-efficient unibody (or car, as opposed to truck) construction.

The CUV nomenclature increased in popularity as tastes moved away from the station wagon, which became seen as stodgy and old-fashioned (and as minivans took over many of the roles of the wagon), and the SUV, which has been stigmatized by some people in American culture as environmentally-unfriendly, over-sized, and wasteful with fuel.

Usage of the "crossover" term varies between regions and groups of people, with some inaccuracy built into the term due to the fact that some CUVs are compact- to mid-sized SUVs built with car drivetrains and suspensions (Lexus RX330, BMW X3), while other crossovers are actually station wagons or 5-door hatchbacks with truck-like characteristics such as elevated suspensions and upright seating (Volvo XC90, Ford Taurus X, Cadillac SRX). Further complicating the picture are vehicles such as the now-discontinued Chrysler Pacifica, which seemed to border on being an aggressively-styled minivan.

In some cases, marketing departments may sometimes blur the line between vehicle body types.