(FORTUNE Magazine) – The world's auto manufacturers haven't come up with a big new vehicle concept since the minivan in the early 1980s. But after listening to their customers, the automakers have grafted the flexibility of the minivan to the go-anywhere image of a sport utility, and bolted them onto a passenger car suspension to create a new category known, for now, as the crossover vehicle. Though automakers are still tinkering with the precise mixture of ingredients, most crossovers have a high seating position, voluminous carrying capacity, and a liftgate in the rear. Famed for its creative design, Chrysler has given the PT Cruiser a retro look that has made it the most talked-about American vehicle since the 1964 Ford Mustang. GM meanwhile is making a blatant pitch for the youth market by aiming its Pontiac Aztek at mountain bikers, hang gliders, and their stay-at-home buddies. Characteristically, Toyota rolled out its crossover three years before its U.S. competitors. It is now readying the second generation of its baby Jeep, the RAV4. --Alex Taylor III

Chrysler PT Cruiser Hybrid of Car/minivan Styling inspiration 1930s Ford V-8 Target market "Too cool to classify" Ideal customer Gwyneth Paltrow Actual customer Tori Spelling Base sticker price $16,000 Street price Hard to find--they go for thousands over sticker

Pontiac Aztek [Hybrid of] Van/sport utility [Styling inspiration] 1930s Buck Rogers spaceship [Target market] Sports vehicle enthusiasts [Ideal customer] Mia Hamm [Actual customer] Pauly Shore [Base sticker price] $21,995 [Street price] Not the prettiest, so discounts likely available

Toyota RAV4 [Hybrid of] Sport utility/car [Styling inspiration] 1980s Jeep Cherokee [Target market] Practical do-it-yourselfers [Ideal customer] Martha Stewart [Actual customer] Bob Vila [Base sticker price] $17,718 [Street price] Haggle with the dealer