The article was originally produced on April 1, 2015, some facts and prices may have changed since then.

3 mini crossovers

Crossover, a given recipe for the Swedish roads and the market. 

If there is something that works when it comes to car sales in Sweden, it is so-called crossover models. With slightly higher ground clearance, impact-resistant fenders and in some cases four-wheel drive, it makes us Swedes instantly more eager to buy. Although these cars will mostly be used in the city, where the aforementioned attributes are completely redundant, it is based on the active profile we like in this elongated country. Starta and Driva have taken a closer look at the latest addition to the crossover family, which are these three mini-crossovers, the Opel Adam Rocks, the Fiat Panda 4×4 and the Volkswagen Cross Up. Three cars with relatively their own characters but within the same family.

Opel Adam Cross. - A hope for increased sales. 

Opel's problems extend further than just the economy. The Adam model was not sold in more than 86 units in Sweden in 2014 and that can be seen as a disaster. Hopefully the cosmetic treatment and Rocks addition will help Opel sell more Adams. The ground clearance has been increased by 15 mm compared to the regular model. It is still front-wheel drive that applies, so Adam Rocks cannot offer any longer trips into the forest. In addition, the car is delivered with a pair of stylish 17-inch rims that fit much better in the city than the forest. To begin with, all Adam Rocks will be offered with a canvas roof that can be opened at up to 140 km/h, a nice detail when the spring sun starts to warm. On the engine side, the alternative is to prefer the three-cylinder one-liter engine with 115 horses. An engine that matches Adam Rock's attitude well and feels lively in all situations. A very practical thing that Opel hopes will attract the younger generation is that most mobile phones work together with the car and that you can have text messages and e-mails read out and speak them while driving.

Fiat Panda 4×4 – A really small Italian mountain goat 

If you go to the Italian mountains in winter, you will certainly not have to look for long before an old four-wheel drive Fiat Panda appears. This is a classic in its home country. Of these three mini crossovers, the Fiat Panda 4×4 is the one with the greatest off-road competence. As the only car in this segment with proper four-wheel drive and three different driving programs, the Panda 4×4 behaves really well even over logs and stones, if possible small logs and stones. In order to give the Panda 4×4 slightly better conditions in the terrain, the six-speed gearbox has been equipped with an extra low first gear that should make it easier on steep slopes. The two-cylinder engine of 85 horses and 145 newton meters does a good job even if it is anything but a sports car. The positive effect is that the consumption is 0.49 liters per mile. Something that can be seen as very good for a four-wheel drive car. The Fiat Panda 4×4 has been skyrocketed by the motoring press and Top Gear's James May himself said that if he could only keep one car it would be his Panda 4×4.

Volkswagen Cross Up. – An Up in a motocross suit.