Although the differences between these two classes are largely aesthetic, there are a few factors that separate minivans from crossovers in terms of functionality. The decision to purchase one over the other is largely a matter of personal preference.
The first vehicles referred to as "minivans" were build on Chrysler's K-car platform in 1984, but similar vehicles were built as far back as 1935. "Crossovers" first hit the market between 1999 and 2001.
Whereas minivans are purpose-built to move people, crossover SUVs are more biased toward the overall cargo-hauling capability of full-size SUVs.
A minivan is defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as a purpose-built people mover with the appearance of a van, but which is based on a car chassis.
Traditionally, crossovers were built on light-truck platforms like those of the Chevrolet S-10 or Ford Ranger. Now, many are based on full-size sedan platforms.
Car-based minivans are almost always front-wheel or sometimes all-wheel drive. Crossovers can be front-wheel, rear-wheel, all-wheel or true four-wheel drive.
