Body on frame passenger cars are antiquated at best. Unibody construction has been around since the 30s and is stronger, lighter, and offers better space utilization. When people buy a body-on-frame passenger vehicle they're taking a huge step backwards.
Crossovers were introduced primarily because of the efficiencies offered by unibody construction of SUV-type vehicles, the ability to build additional models from a single platform (for example, the Honda Odyssey, Pilot, and Ridgeline are on the same platform), and because they offer better safety, space utilization, and driving dynamics. People in the industry felt a need to differentiate these models, so they named them crossovers. All "cute utes" or CUVs are crossovers, or unibody. Many larger SUVs are, too, like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, All Mercedes and BMWs, and the Nissan Pathfinder (which is on a front drive Quest platform).
Sport utility vehicles are all about a higher driving position, perceived safety, and market acceptance compared to mini-vans. And about profit for automakers. They're good at generating that, too.
