Crossovers - 2

Mini Crossman
Price from 15,000 (est)
On sale Late 2010
What is it? Another, slightly chunkier, chip off the old block

Old block? Well, the new Mini is believe it or not now a decade old, so owner BMW is busy diversifying the brand.
As well as this crossover, which is out next year, there are also the Coup and Roadster.

The Crossman will slot into the market above the Clubman and will be the only modern-day Mini that isnt built at the Cowley factory in Oxfordshire production is due to get under way next year in Austria.

Expect the usual line-up of engines and gearboxes, and a four-wheel-drive system that sends power to the rear wheels when the fronts start to slip.

There was much debate about whether the new Mini would have impressed the original classics designer, Sir Alex Issigonis and this biggest of all Minis does prompt the question again: would he have liked it?

Nissan Qazana
Price from 12,500 (est)
On sale Mid 2010
What is it? A smaller brother to join the successful Qashqai

Just how bold will Nissan be with the production version of this Qazana crossover?

The Qazana supermini-sized concept car you see here has a funky if unconventional look to it, but well have to wait until the Geneva motor show in the spring to see if the final car is as brave.

If we were betting people, wed put money on the wheelarches shrinking, but the other features you see here to remain.

Apart from some small, efficient engines, the chances are that Nissan will have at least one sporty number up its sleeve for the car, which will be the third crossover in its stable after the Murano and successful Qashqai.

Hyundai ix35 (artists impression)
Price from 15,500 (est)
On sale Spring
What is it? A lower, sportier replacement for the Tucson

This looks AS though it could be a real breath of fresh air for Hyundai. Replacing the Tucson, the ix35 closely resembles the ix-onic concept car and we think it looks really rather good. The sills and rear end of the production car arent quite as dramatic as they were on the concept model, but theyre not far off.

There are also some very sharp creases running from the front and back towards the centre of the ix35, which Hyundai says is all part of the cars fluidic sculpture.

Whatever you like to call it, its a sharp-suited rival to cars such as the Ford Kuga and Volkswagen Tiguan, and that bold hexagonal grille should sweep across other Hyundais and become a signature look for the brand.

A 2.0-litre diesel engine will be launched first, but a 1.6 petrol and a 1.7 diesel will be on hand before the end of 2010. Youll have the choice of front- or four-wheel drive, and manual or automatic gearboxes.

If both efficiency and the environment are playing on your mind, theres an Eco indicator to help you drive more economically, and CO2 emissions are as low as 139g/km, thanks to Hyundais ISG engine stop-start system.

Hyundai is well known for tempting buyers with lots of toys, but therell also be a five-year warranty for peace of mind.

Mitsubishi Game Changer
Price from 17,000 (est)
On sale Summer
What is it? A small crossover from Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi is worried that its known only for its big, capable off-roaders, which havent exactly been getting the best of press recently and have suffered big sales dips.

Next year well see a new model that the company hopes will help change its image from an SUV-focused nameplate to a manufacturer of environment-friendly passenger cars and crossovers.

All that leads us to this Concept-cX compact crossover model that will go up against the likes of the Volkswagen Tiguan. Its based on a Lancer, and is likely to be sold in both two- and four-wheel drive.

Engines from the Lancer saloon/hatchback line-up are likely to figure, as well as Mitsubishis SST semi-auto transmission.

Also on the way...
What and when...new cars coming your way in 2010
Citron and Peugeot Mitsubishi Game Changer-based SUV
Honda CR-V
Seat Tribu
Toyota RAV4
Audi Q1
Fiat Sedici
Ford Kuga face-lift
Suzuki SX4
VW Tiguan face-lift 2012