| image1 = 202197-01 ChevroletJeep Tahoe Z71Cherokee.jpg

| caption1 = 20211997–2001 [[ChevroletJeep Tahoe #Fifth generationCherokee (2021-presentXJ)|ChevroletJeep TahoeCherokee]] {{nobr|largecompact SUV}}

| image2 = FordKia ExplorerMohave IV3.0 ChinaD 2014-04-25HM PE2 Snow White Pearl (34) (cropped).jpg

| caption2 = 2006-20102020 [[FordKia ExplorerMohave]] {{nobr|mid-size SUV}}

| image3 = 97-01Toyota JeepLand CherokeeCruiser VX VJA300W.jpg

| caption3 = 1997–20012022 [[JeepToyota CherokeeLand (XJ)#1997–2001|Jeep CherokeeCruiser]] {{nobr|compactlarge SUV}}

A '''sport utility vehicle''' or ('''SUV''') is a [[car classification]] that combines elements of road-going passenger [[carscar]]s with features from [[off-road vehicle]]s, such as raised [[ground clearance]] and [[four-wheel drive]].

There is no commonly agreed-upon definition of an SUV, and usage of the term varies between countries. Thus, it is "a loose term that traditionally covers a broad range of vehicles with four-wheel drive."<ref>{{cite web |title=SUV Meaning: What is an SUV? |url= https://www.caranddriver.com/research/a31787452/suv-meaning-what-is-an-suv/ |work=Car and Driver |date=13 April 2020 |access-date=30 August 2022}}</ref> Some definitions claim that an SUV must be built on a [[light truck]] chassis; however, broader definitions consider any vehicle with off-road design features to be an SUV. A [[crossover (automobile)|crossover SUV]] is often defined as an SUV built with a [[unibody]] construction (as with passenger cars),; however, in many cases,the crossoversdesignations are simplyincreasingly referredblurred tobecause asof SUVs.the Incapabilities someof countriesthe — such asvehicles, the Unitedlabelling Statesby —marketers, SUVsand havethe beenelectrification classifiedof asnew "lightmodels.<ref trucksname=",Wardlaw">{{cite resultingweb in|last1=Wardlaw more|first1=Christian lenient|title=What regulationsis compareda toCrossover passengerSUV? |url= https://www.jdpower.com/cars/shopping-guides/what-is-a-crossover-suv |work=J.D. Power |date=15 September 2021 |access-date=30 August 2022}}</ref>

The predecessors to SUVs date back to military and low-volume models from the late 1930s, and the four-wheel -drive [[station wagon]]s and [[Carryall#Automobile|carryalls]] that began to be introduced in 1949. TheSome 1984SUVs produced today use unibody construction; however, in the past, more SUVs used [[Jeepbody-on-frame]] Cherokeeconstruction. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the popularity of SUVs significantly increased, often at the expense of the popularity of large [[Sedan (XJautomobile)|sedans]] isand consideredstation towagons. beSUVs theaccounted firstfor SUV45.9% inof the modernworld's style.passenger Somecar SUVsmarket producedin today2021.<ref>{{cite useweb unibody|title=New construction;registrations however,of SUVs in thekey pastcar markets, more2010-2021 SUVs– usedCharts body– Data & Statistics |url= https://www.iea.org/data-onand-framestatistics/charts/new-registrations-of-suvs-in-key-car-markets-2010-2021 construction|date=21 December 2021 |access-date=1 October 2024 |website=iea.org |language=en-GB}}</ref>

There is no universally accepted definition of the sport utility vehicle.<ref name="bradsher4">{{cite booksfn|title=High and Mighty: SUVs—The World's Most Dangerous Vehicles and How They Got That Way |last=Bradsher |first=Keith |publisher=PublicAffairs |year=2002 |isbn=9781586482039 |page=4 |url-access=registration|url= https://archive.org/details/highmightydan00brad/page/4}}</ref> Dictionaries, automotive experts, and journalists use varying wordings and defining characteristics, in addition to regional variations of usage by both the media and the general public. The auto industry also has not settled on one definition of the SUV.<ref name{{sfn|Bradsher|2002|page="bradsher4"/>4}}

Automotive websites' descriptions of SUVs range from specifically "combining car-like appointments and wagon practicality with steadfast off-road capability" with "chair-height seats and picture-window visibility"<ref name=HemWagoneer>{{cite journalmagazine|last=Bumbeck |first=Mike|title=Utility in Style -– The 1972 Jeep Wagoneer blends an iconic design with modern driveability |date=27 August 20132024 |url= https://www.hemmings.com/magazinestories/hcc/2013/08/Utilityutility-in-Style--style-1972-Jeepjeep-Wagoneerwagoneer/3728091.html |journalmagazine=Hemmings Classic Car |accessdateaccess-date=261 October 20202024}}</ref> to the more general "nearly anything with available all-wheel drive and raised ground clearance".<ref name=SUVwhatis>{{cite web|url= httphttps://www.autotrader.com/research/article/car-shopping/215843/suv-vs-crossover-whats-thedifference-difference.jsp215843 |title=SUV vs. Crossover: What's the Difference? |first=DougRuss |last=DeMuroHeaps |date=October25 2013March 2022 |website=Autotraderautotrader.com |access-date=261 October 20202024}}</ref> It is also suggested that the term "SUV" has replaced "jeep" as a general term for off-road vehiclevehicles.<ref name=Language>{{cite book|last=Glucksberg |first=Sam |title=Understanding Figurative Language: From Metaphor to Idioms |year=2001|publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780198027126 |page=112 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=rKX7qcQerLcC&q=In+recent+years,+the+term+SUV+has+come+into+the+popular+lexicon+to+replace+Jeep,+a+name+that+originated+during+World+War+II+as+slang+for&pg=PA112 |via=Google Books |access-date=261 October 20202024}}</ref>

* "rugged automotive vehicle similar to a station wagon but built on a [[Light truck|light-truck]] chassis"<ref name=MWSUV>{{cite dictionary|url= https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/SUV |title=Definition of SUV|dictionary=Merriam-Webster |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180105081637/https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/SUV |archive-date=5 January 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=26 October 2020}}</ref>

* "passenger vehicle similar to a station wagon but with the chassis of a small truck and, usually, four-wheel drive"<ref>{{cite book|title=Webster's New World College Dictionary, 4th|edition=Fourth Edition|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt}}</ref>

In British English, the terms "4x4" (pronounced "four-by-four" (often abbreviated to "4×4"), "jeep", four wheel drive, or "off-road vehicle" wereare generally used instead of "sport utility vehicle". The derogatory term "Chelsea tractor" is also commonly used, due to the perceived popularity of the vehicles with urban residents of [[Chelsea, London]], and their likeness to vehicles used by farmers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Stereotype of 'Chelsea tractor' reflects reality of urban SUV sales, says report |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/07/stereotype-of-chelsea-tractor-reflects-reality-of-urban-suv-sales-says-report |work=The Guardian |date=7 April 2021 |access-date=9 January 2023}}</ref> However, in recentthe years2020s, the term SUV has becomeentered dominantusage in the U.K.United Kingdom<ref>{{cite web|title=Top 10 FsmokyBest family SUVs 20202021 |url= https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/best-cars/top-10-best-family-suvs |work=Autocar |date=20 January 2021 |access-date=2020-06-209 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite dictionary|title=Search Chambers: four-by-four|url= https://chambers.co.uk/search/?query=four-by-four&title=21st |dictionary=Chambers 21st Century Dictionary|access-date=2020-01-2325 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite dictionary|title=Search Chambers: jeep|url= https://chambers.co.uk/search/?query=jeep&title=21st |dictionary=Chambers 21st Century Dictionary|access-date=2020-01-2325 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite dictionary |title=Search Chambers: off-road vehicle|url= https://chambers.co.uk/search/?query=off-road+vehicle&title=21st |dictionary=Chambers 21st Century Dictionary|access-date=2020-01-2325 July 2021}}</ref>

The ''[[Collins English Dictionary]]'' defines a sport utility vehicle as a "powerful vehicle with four-wheel drive that can be driven over rough ground. The abbreviation SUV is often used."<ref>{{cite book|title=Collins Cobuild Advanced English Dictionary|url= https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/sport-utility-vehicle |publisher=HarperCollins |access-date=10 November 2019}}</ref>

Many years after most passenger cars had transitioned to a [[unibody]] construction, most SUVs continued to use a separate [[body-on-frame]] method, due to being based on the chassis from a [[light truck]], [[commercial vehicle]], [[pickup truck]], or [[off-road vehicle]].

The first mass-produced [[unibody]] four-wheel -drive passenger car was the Russian 1955 [[GAZ-M20 Pobeda#Versions|GAZ-M20 Pobeda M-72]],<ref>{{cite web|title=M-72 all-terrain vehicle|url= http://gaz20.spb.ru/modif_m72.htm|website=www.spb.ru |access-date=2019-04-13 |language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Thompson |first=Andy|title=Cars of the Soviet Union|publisher=Haynes Publishing|location=Somerset, U.K. |year=2008|page=57}}</ref> which could be considered the first crossover car. The 1977 [[Lada Niva]] was the first off-road vehicle to use both a unibody construction and a coil-sprung [[independent front suspension]]. The relatively compact Niva is considered a predecessor to the crossover SUV and combines a hatchback-like passenger car body with full-time four-wheel drive, low-range gearing, and lockable center differential.

Nonetheless, unibody SUVs remained rare until the 1984 Jeep Cherokee (XJ) was introduced and became a sales success. The introduction of the 1993 [[Jeep Grand Cherokee]] resulted in all Jeep SUV models using unibody construction,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.edmunds.com/jeep/grand-cherokee/|title=Jeep Grand Cherokee Review |access-date=2011-04-10 |websitework=Edmunds}}</ref> with many other brands following suit since the mid-1990s. Today, most SUVs in production use a unibody construction and relatively few models continue to use body-on-frame construction.

Up until approximately 2010, many SUV models were available in 2two-door body styles.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hunting |first1=Benjamin |title=The 6 Best (and 5 Weirdest) 2 Door SUVs of All Time |url= https://www.drivingline.com/articles/the-6-best-and-5-weirdest-2-door-suvs-of-all-time/ |publisher=DrivingLine |date=21 April 2019 |access-date=16 January 2021}}</ref> Since then, manufacturers began to discontinue the 2two-door models as 4the four-door models became more popular.<ref name=Stop2DrSuvs>{{cite web|url= http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/04/attention-automakers-please-stop-selling-two-door-suvs/ |title=Attention Automakers: Please Stop Selling Two-Door SUVs |first=Doug |last=DeMuro |date=1 April 2013-04-01 |work=The Truth About Cars |access-date=2017-09-2316 January 2021}}</ref><ref name=2DrFail>{{cite web|url= https://www.autotrader.com/car-news/every-single-two-door-suv-has-failed-266841 |title=Every Single Two-Door SUV Has Failed |first=Doug |last=DeMuro |date=21 June 2017 |work=Autotrader |access-date=2017-09-2316 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title=Toyota Sharpens Best-Selling Prado Range|url= http://www.toyota.com.au/news/toyota-sharpens-best-selling-prado-range |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160306161813/http://www.toyota.com.au/news/toyota-sharpens-best-selling-prado-range |archive-date=6 March 2016-03-06 |publisher=Toyota |location=Australia |date=2013-10-14|access-date=2014-03-17}}</ref> OnlyOctober a few 2-door SUVs remain today, such as the body-on-frame [[Suzuki Jimny]] and [[Jeep Wrangler]], and the [[Range Rover Evoque]]2013 crossover SUV.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HlbCM7VEmroC&q=4+door+Wrangler+introduced&pg=PA14|page=14|title=High-Performance Jeep Wrangler TJ Builder's Guide|first=Christian|last=Lee|publisher=CarTech|year=2007|isbn=9781932494266|access-date=2017-09-2316 January 2021}}</ref>

{{MoreFurther|Criticism of sport utility vehicles}}

{{MoreFurther|Criticism of sport utility vehicles}}

SUVs generally have poorer [[fuel efficiency]] than smaller cars,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.theautochannel.com |title=Source The AutoChannel |publisher=The Auto Channel|access-date=2010-12-31}}</ref> and thus contribute more to environmental degradation and [[global warming]].

SUVs emit about 700 [[megatonne]]s of [[carbon dioxide]] per year,<ref name="InternationalEnergy">{{cite web|last1=Cozzi |first1=Laura |last2=Petropoulos |first2=Apostolos|author3=International Energy Agency|authorlink3=International Energy Agency|title=Growing preference for SUVs challenges emissions reductions in passenger car market|url= https://www.iea.org/commentaries/growing-preference-for-suvs-challenges-emissions-reductions-in-passenger-car-market |websitework=International Energy Agency |access-date=18 February 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200204165813/https://www.iea.org/commentaries/growing-preference-for-suvs-challenges-emissions-reductions-in-passenger-car-market |archive-date=2020-02-04 |quote=On average, SUVs consume about a quarter more energy than medium-size cars. As a result, the global fuel economy worsened caused in part by the rising SUV demand since the beginning of the decade, even though efficiency improvements in smaller cars saved over 2 million barrels a day, and electric cars displaced less than 100,000 barrels a day. In fact, SUVs were responsible for all of the 3.3 million barrels a day growth in oil demand from passenger cars between 2010 and 2018, while oil use from other typetypes of cars (excluding SUVs) declined slightly.}}</ref> a gas that is linked to global warming. According to the [[International Energy Agency]], from 2010 SUVs have been the second-largest contributor to the increase in global CO₂{{CO2}} emissions, second only to the power sector.<ref name="InternationalEnergy" />

In fact, SUVs were responsible for all of the 3.3 million [[Barrels ofBarrel oil(unit)|barrels]] a day growth in oil demand from passenger cars between 2010 and 2018, whereas efficiency improvements in smaller cars saved over 2 million barrels a day, with electric cars reducing oil demand by under 100,000 barrels a day.<ref name=InternationalEnergy/>

Whereas SUVs can be [[Electric vehicle conversion|electrified]],<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.kreiselelectric.com/en/blog/kreisel-electric-and-arnold-schwarzenegger-present-the-worlds-first-electrified-hummer-h1/ |title=Kreisel Electric and Arnold Schwarzenegger present the world's first electrified Hummer H1 |publisher=Kreisel |location=Austria|access-date=2020-01-24}}</ref> or converted to run on [[Alternative fuel vehicle|a variety of alternative fuels]], [[Hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicle#Adaptation of existing engines|including hydrogen]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Lianos|first=Miguel|url=http https://www.nbcnews.com/id/4563676/ns/us_news-environment/t/hydrogen-cars-ready-roll-price/wbna4563676 |title=Hydrogen cars ready to roll - for a price|date=2004-06-23|access-date=2020-01-24|publisher=NBC|location=U.S.}}</ref> their (manufacturing) emissions will always be larger than smaller electric cars.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.greenpeace.org/international/story/24107/bigger-is-not-better-how-suvs-are-killing-the-climate/ |title=Bigger is not better – how SUVs are killing the climate |first=Andrew |last=Tobert |publisher=Greenpeace International |date=2019-09-07 |access-date=2020-01-24}}</ref> On average, SUVs consume about a quarter more energy than medium-size cars.<ref name=InternationalEnergy/> Furthermore, the vast majority of these vehicles are not converted to use alternative fuels.

The "crossover SUV" segment (also known as "CUVs" or simply "crossovers") has become increasingly popular since around 2010. Crossovers are often based on a platform shared with a passenger car, as a result, they typically have better comfort and fuel economy, but less off-road capability (many crossovers are sold without all-wheel drive) than pickup truck-based SUVs.<ref name="intelli">{{cite web |title=Smart Buying Essentials What is a Crossover Vehicle? |work=Intellichoice |url= http://www.intellichoice.com/carBuying101/what-is-a-crossover |archiveurlarchive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110717054551/http://www.intellichoice.com/carBuying101/what-is-a-crossover |archivedatearchive-date=17 July 2011 |accessdateaccess-date=27 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="cnn1">{{cite news |title= GM and Ford's New Cross to Bear |work=CNN Money |first=Chris |last=Isidore |date=9 January 2006 |url= https://money.cnn.com/2006/01/09/Autos/detroit_crossovers/index.htm |accessdateaccess-date= 27 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="autos.aol.com">{{cite web |title=Crossover 101 |url= http://autos.aol.com/article/crossovers-101/ |website=www.aol.com |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416223830/http://autos.aol.com/article/crossovers-101/ |archivedatearchive-date=16 April 2016}}</ref>

The difference between crossovers and other SUVs is sometimes defined as a crossover being built using a [[unibody]] platform (the type used by most passenger cars), while an SUV is built using a [[body-on-frame]] platform (the type used by off-road vehicles and light trucks).<ref>{{cite web |title=Difference between a crossover vehicle and SUV? |url=https://www.hertzcarsales.co.uk/used-cars-blog-difference-between-a-crossover-vehicle-and-suv |website=www.hertzcarsales.co.uk |accessdateaccess-date=2019-04-22 |language=en |date=2019-01-30 |archive-date=6 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106132038/https://www.hertzcarsales.co.uk/used-cars-blog-difference-between-a-crossover-vehicle-and-suv |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=What is the Difference Between Crossovers and SUVs? « Harbin Automotive |url= https://www.harbinautomotive.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-crossovers-and-suvs/ |website=www.harbinautomotive.com |accessdateaccess-date=2019-04-22 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=What's the Difference Between an SUV, a Crossover, & a CUV? |url= https://thenewswheel.com/whats-the-difference-between-an-suv-a-crossover-a-cuv/ |website=www.thenewswheel.com |accessdateaccess-date=2019-04-22 |date=2017-03-30}}</ref> However, these definitions are often blurred in practice, since unibody vehicles are also often referred to as SUVs.<ref>{{cite web |title=SUV vs. Crossover: What's the Difference? |url= https://www.autotrader.com/car-shopping/suv-vs-crossover-whats-difference-215843 |website=www.autotrader.com |accessdateaccess-date=2019-04-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=SUVs vs. Crossovers: What's the Difference? |url= https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/best-cars-blog/2016/09/suvs-vs-crossovers-whats-the-difference |website=www.usnews.com |accessdateaccess-date=2019-04-22}}</ref> Also, crossover is a relatively recent term and early unibody SUVs (such as the 1984 Jeep Cherokee) are rarely called crossovers. Due to these inconsistencies, the term SUV is often used as a catch-all for both crossovers and SUVs.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Difference Between SUVs and Crossover Cars |url= https://www.carwriteups.co.uk/2018/04/difference-suvs-crossovers-cars/ |website=www.carwriteups.co.uk |accessdateaccess-date=2019-04-22 |date=2018-04-09}}</ref>

Outside of the United States, the term crossover tends to be used for [[C-segment]] ([[compact car|compact]]) or smaller vehicles, with large unibody vehicles—such as the [[Dodge Durango#Third generation .282011.E2.80.93present.29|Dodge Durango]], [[Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class]], [[BMW X7]], and [[Range Rover]]—usually referred to as SUVs rather than crossovers. In the United Kingdom, a crossover is sometimes defined as a hatchback model with raised ride height and SUV-like styling features.<ref>{{cite web |title=What's the difference between a crossover, SUV and 4x4? |url= https://www.carbuyer.co.uk/tips-and-advice/159974/whats-the-difference-between-a-crossover-suv-and-4x4 |website=www.carbuyer.co.uk |accessdateaccess-date=2019-04-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=SUV vs Crossover: What are the Differences and Similarities? |url= https://www.leasefetcher.co.uk/blog/suv-vs-crossover-differences |website=www.leasefetcher.co.uk |accessdateaccess-date=2019-04-22}}</ref>

Many recent vehicles labeled as compact SUVs are technically [[Crossover (automobile)#Compact crossover|compact crossover]]s and are built on the platform of a compact (C-segment) passenger car.

Full-size SUVs are the largest size of commonly produced SUVs. Some, such as the [[ToyotaFord SequoiaExpedition]], and [[Chevrolet Tahoe]] (pictured), are marketed for their off-road capabilities, and others, such as the [[LandLincoln Rover Range RoverNavigator]] and [[InfinitiCadillac QX80Escalade]], are marketed as luxury vehicles. While a few full-size SUVs are built on dedicated platforms; most share their platforms with [[Pickup_truck#Full-size_pickup_truck|full-sizedsize pickupspickup truck]]s.

Some North American SUVs are available as a [[Wheelbase#Varying wheelbases within nameplate|long-wheelbase]]bodied version of a full-size SUV, which is called an "extended-length SUV" like the [[Ford Expedition#Expedition EL/Max|Ford Expedition EL]] and the [[Chevrolet Suburban]]. The additional length is used to provide extra space for rear passengers or cargo. As per the full-size SUVs they are based on, most extended-length SUVs are built on dedicated platforms, full-sized pickups ([[Truck_classification#%22Ton%22_rating|1⁄2 ton]]), or heavy-duty pickups (3⁄4 ton or more).

Extended-length SUVs are mostly sold in North America, Southbut America,may thealso Middlebe East,exported andto theother Philippinesmarkets in small numbers.

{{seeSee also|Four-wheel drive#History}}

Just before and during [[World War II]], prototypes and low-volume production examples of military cars with sedan or station-wagon wagon-type bodies and rugged, off-road capable four-wheel drive chassis began to appear around the world. These early models included the 1936 [[Kurogane Type 95]] from Japan, the 1938 [[GAZ-61]] from Russia, andas well as the 1941 [[Volkswagen Kommandeurswagen]] and 1936 [[Opel Geländesportwagen]]<ref>{{cite news|last1=Carlsson|first1=Mårten|url= http://www.klassiker.nu/reportage/opel-terrangsportbil |title=Opel Terrängsportbil |trans-title=Opel Off-Road Car |work=Klassiker |location=Sweden|language=sv|date=26 June 2018|access-date=11 July 2019}}</ref> from Germany. An early predecessor to the design of modern SUVs{{citation needed|date=April 2019|reason=Needs reference to support claimed link}} was the 1940 [[Humber Heavy Utility]], a four-wheel -drive off-road vehicle built on the chassis of the [[Humber Super Snipe]] passenger car.<ref>{{cite web|title=10 Strange Military Vehicles of World War II|url= https://www.wonderslist.com/10-strange-military-vehicles-world-war-ii/ |website=Wonderslistwonderslist.com |access-date=2019-04-10|date=2014-01-30}}</ref>

The most prohibitive initial factors to the potential civilian popularity of an SUV-like car waswere their cost and the availability of certain critical parts. Before the war, adding four-wheel drive to a car almost doubled its cost.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.fourwheeler.com/features/origins-of-the-jeep-birthing-a-75-year-legend/ |title=Origins Of The Jeep: Birthing A 75-Year Legend|first=Jim |last=Allen|author-link=Jim Allen (4x4 writer)|work=Four Wheeler Network|location=U.S. |date=2016-01-10|access-date=2019-02-11}}</ref> Compared to a common, rear-wheel drive vehicle, any 4WD (four-wheel drive) needed a number ofmany essential extra components, including a [[transfer case]] and, a second differential, and [[constant-velocity joint]]s for the driven front axle—which were expensive due to the precision involved in this required manufacturing gears and other specialized parts. In America prior toBefore World War{{Nbsp|1}}II, these were produced onlyin the United States by only a few specialized firms with limited production capacity. Due to the increase in demand for parts for the war effort, in the spring of 1942 [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]], [[Dodge]], and [[Chevrolet]] joined in fabricating these parts in mass quantities, boosting their production more than 100-fold.<ref name=ThomsonMayo>{{cite book|last1=Thomson|first1=Harry C.|first2=Lida|last2=Mayo|year=2003|title=The Ordnance Department: procurement and supply|series=United States Army in World War II: The technical services|url= https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112055126327;view=1up;seq=298;size=125|location=Washington, D.C. |via=United States Army Center of Military History|publication-date=1960|publisher=Office of the Chief of Military History, Dept. of the Army|page=274|ref=ODprocure}}</ref>

An early usage of the term was the 1947 [[Crosley#Model summary|Crosley CC Four]] Sport Utility model, which used a convertible wagon body style and is therefore unrelated to the design of later SUVs.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2014/5/26/1302054/-History-101-The-Crosley-Automobile|title=History 101: The Crosley Automobile |websitework=Daily KOS|location=U.S.|date=2014-05-26|access-date=2018-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://crosleyautoclub.com/Details/Details_CCs.html|title=Details on Crosley CC Models 1946 - 1948 |websitework=Crosley Automobile Club |location=U.S.|access-date=2018-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.classiccarcatalogue.com/CROSSLEY%201948.html|title=Crosley 1948|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180223210336/http://www.classiccarcatalogue.com/CROSSLEY%201948.html|archive-date=2018-02-23 |via=Classic Car Catalogue}}</ref>

Several models of [[Carryall#Automobile|carryall]] wagons began to be offered with four-wheel drive, beginning in 1949 when the [[Willys Jeep Station Wagon]] introduced the option of four-wheel drive.<ref>{{cite web|title=1960 Willys Four-Wheel-Drive Station Wagon: Your (Great-) Grandfather's SUV|url= http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/1960-willys-four-wheel-drive-station-wagon-your-great-grandfathers-suv |websitework=Autoweek |date=15 February 2007|access-date=2017-10-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Greg|title=The Very First Sport Utility Vehicle: The Jeep Station Wagon|url= https://autoroundup.com/index.php/jeep-station-wagon-the-very-first-suv/ |websitework=Autoroundup |access-date=2017-12-06|archive-date=5 October 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171005151753/https://autoroundup.com/index.php/jeep-station-wagon-the-very-first-suv/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Four-wheel -drive versions of the [[Chevrolet Suburban#Fourth generation (1955–19591955)|Chevrolet Suburban]] were introduced for 1955, followed by the [[International Harvester Travelall#First generation (1953-1957)|International Harvester Travelall]] in 1956 (credited as being the first full-size SUV)<ref name=4Wtravelall/> and the [[Dodge Town Panel and Town Wagon|Power Wagon Town Wagon]] in 1957.<ref name=4Wtravelall>{{cite web|url= http://www.fourwheeler.com/project-vehicles/129-1211-1959-international-harvester-b120-travelall/ |title=1959 International Harvester B-120 Travelall – Four Wheeler Magazine|last=Allen|first=Jim|date=2012-11-01|publisher=Four Wheeler Network|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180107215038/http://www.fourwheeler.com/project-vehicles/129-1211-1959-international-harvester-b120-travelall/|archive-date=2018-01-07|url-status=live|access-date=2018-01-07|author-linkauthorlink=Jim Allen (4x4 writer)}}</ref><ref name=Kiplinger58>{{cite journalmagazine|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=RwAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA22 |journalmagazine=Changing Times: The Kiplinger Magazine |volume=12|number=2|page=22|date=February 1958 |title=The 1958 Station Wagons|access-date=2018-01-09}}</ref>

Developed as a competitor to the [[Jeep CJ]], the compact [[International Harvester Scout]] was introduced in 1961, offering either two- or four-wheel drive and a variety of engine options. The Harvester Scout provided many other options designed to appeal to a wide range of customers for numerous uses as well.<ref>{{cite web|title=Why We Love Them: International Harvester Scout|url= https://bringatrailer.com/2018/05/27/why-we-love-them-international-harvester-scout/ |websitework=Bring a Trailer|date=2018-05-27|access-date=2019-10-15}}</ref> The 1963 [[Jeep Wagoneer (SJ)]] introduced a sophisticated station wagon body design that was more carlike than any other four-wheel -drive vehicle on the market.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Lewin|first1=Tony|last2=Borroff|first2=Ryan|title=How to Design Cars Like a Pro: A Comprehensive Guide to Car Design from the Top Professionals |publisher=MotorBooks/MBI Publishing |year=2003 |page=191 |isbn=9780760316412}}</ref> The 1967 [[Toyota Land Cruiser#J50 (1967–1980)|Toyota Land Cruiser FJ55]] station wagon was the first comfort-oriented version of the Land Cruiser off-road vehicle. The two-door [[Chevrolet K5 Blazer]] (and related GMC K5 Jimmy) were introduced for 1969, and the two-door [[International Harvester Scout#Scout II|International Harvester Scout II]] was introduced in 1971. The first European luxury off-road vehicle was the 1970 [[Range Rover Classic]], which was marketed as a [[luxury car]] for both on-road and off-road usage.<ref>{{cite web|title=1970 Range Rover advertisement|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMKZEjrPhvw |url-status=dead|website=YouTube|access-date=2019-04-13|date=2018-02-11|archive-date=18 May 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190518045251/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMKZEjrPhvw&gl=US&hl=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Old Range Rover ad|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VmR8HyiWk0 | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211029/9VmR8HyiWk0| archive-date=2021-10-29|website=YouTube |access-date=2019-04-13 |date=2009-06-13}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The compact-sized 1984 [[Jeep Cherokee (XJ)]] is often credited as the first SUV in the modern understanding of the term.<ref name{{sfn|Bradsher|2002|page="brasher40">Bradsher, p. 40.</ref>}} The use of unibody construction was unique at the time for a four-wheel drive and also reduced the weight of the new Cherokee. It also appealed to urban families due to having a more compact size (compared to the full-size Wagoneer and previous generation Cherokee SJ models) as well as a plush interior resembling a station wagon.<ref name{{sfn|Bradsher|2002|page="brasher40"/>40}} As the new Cherokee became a major sales success, the term "sport utility vehicle" began to be used in the national press for the first time.<ref name{{sfn|Bradsher|2002|page="brasher40"/>40}} "The advent and immediate success of AMC/Jeep's compact four-door Cherokee turned the truck industry upside down."<ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=YjgfZkNUakkC&q=The+advent+and+immediate+success+of+AMC/Jeep's+compact+four-door+Cherokee+turned+the+truck+industry+upside+down |page=18|title=Toyota truck & Land Cruiser owner's bible |first=Moses |last=Ludel |year=1995 |publisher=Robert Bentley |isbn=978-0-8376-0159-5|access-date=2011-06-24}}</ref>

The U.S. [[corporate Average Fuel Economy|corporate average fuel economy]] (CAFE) standard that was introduced in 1975 with the aim ofto reducingreduce fuel usage, but included relaxed regulations for "light trucks", to avoid businessbusinesses paying extra taxes for work vehicles. This created a loophole that manufacturers increasingly exploited since the [[1980s oil glut]] (which started an era of cheap gasoline), whereby SUVs were designed to be classified as light trucks (despite their primary use as passenger vehicles) to receive tax concessions and less stringent fuel economy requirements.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.tsc.berkeley.edu/newsletter/Summer05-SUVs/history.html |title=From the Battlefield to the Soccer Field|publisher=Traffic Safety Center Online Newsletter|volume=2|issue=4|date=Summer 2005|access-date=2013-01-08|url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120310182737/http://www.tsc.berkeley.edu/newsletter/Summer05-SUVs/history.html |archive-date=2012-03-10}}</ref> ForThis example,enabled the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]] agreedmanufacturers to classifysell themore newprofitable, Jeeplarger, Cherokeemore aspolluting avehicles, lightinstead truck following lobbying from its manufacturer;of the Cherokeesmaller, wasless thenpolluting, marketedless byprofitable thecars, company as a passenger vehicle.<ref name="Bradsher">{{cite book|first=Keith|last=Bradsher|title=High and Mighty: SUVs—The World's Most Dangerous Vehicles and How They Got That Way|publisher=PublicAffairs|year=2002|isbn=978-1-58648-203-9|url= https://archive.org/details/highmightydan00brad|url-access=registration}}</ref> This increasedthat the SUVCAFE boomregulations as other manufacturers introduced their own SUVs in response to the compact Cherokee taking sales from their regular carsintended.<ref>Bradsher, p. 41.</ref>

By 2013, small and compact SUVs had increased to become the third -largest market segment.<ref name="frost&sullivan"/> Since the early 2000s, new styles of SUVversions have been introduced to appeal to a wider audience, such as [[crossover (automobile)|crossover]]s and other small SUVs.<ref name=Euromon16/> Larger SUVs also remained popular, with sales of General Motors' large SUV models increasing significantly in 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2013/09/2015_gmc_yukon_and_chevy_silve.html |title=2015 GMC Yukon and Chevy Suburban, Tahoe: GM expects new SUVs to continue industry dominance |first=Michael |last=Wayland |work=MLive| location=Michigan, U.S. |date=20 January 2019 |access-date=26 October 2020}}</ref>

LuxuryIn brandsthe haveU.S. increasinglyat introducedthe SUVend orof crossover2016, modelssales inof theSUVs 2010s.and Forlight-duty example,trucks SUVhad addedsurpassed seventraditional modelscar ofsales SUVsfor (X1the throughyear X7)by over 3 million units.<ref>{{cite webnews|url= https://wwwonline.bmwwsj.co.ukcom/bmw-carsmdc/xpublic/page/2_3022-models autosales.html|title=BMWAuto XSales ModelsDecember |publisher=BMW|2016 location=U.K.compared to 2015|archiveurlarchive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/2019032010564620170105150248/https://wwwonline.bmwwsj.co.ukcom/bmw-carsmdc/xpublic/page/2_3022-modelsautosales.html |archivedatearchive-date=205 MarchJanuary 20192017 |date=4 January 2017 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=28 October 2020}}</ref> asManufacturers wellcontinued asto phase out the [[Rolls-Royceproduction Cullinan]],of [[Bentleysedan Bentayga]]models, andreplacing [[Lamborghinithem Urus]].with Ferrarinew havemodels announcedof that they will release an SUV model in 2022SUVs.<ref>{{cite webnews|url= https://www.autoexpresssuvs.co.ukcom/ferrari/30374/ferrarihyundai-suvtrims-confirmedfat-fastestlooks-suvto-crownadd-targetedmore-suvs-to-lineup/ |title=FerrariHyundai SUVTrims confirmedFat, fastestLooks SUVto crownAdd More SUVs to Lineup targeted|publisherwebsite=Autosuvs.com |date=17 January 2017 Express|first=JonathanElizabeth |last=Burn|date=19Jeneault March 2018|access-date=1028 NovemberOctober 20192020}}</ref>

In 2019 SUVs made up 47.4% of U.S. sales compared to only 22.1% for sedans.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Voelk |first=Tom |date=21 May 2020 |title=Rise of S.U.V.s: Leaving Cars in Their Dust, With No Signs of Slowing |newspaper=The New York Times |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/21/business/suv-sales-best-sellers.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=14 September 2020}}</ref>

{{seeSee also|Off-road racing}}

Several derogatory or pejorative terms for SUVs are based on the combination of an affluent suburb name and "tractor", particularly for expensive vehicles from luxury brands. Examples include "[[Toorak, Victoria|Toorak]] Tractor" ([[Melbourne]], Australia),<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.australiantraveller.com/australia/the-australian-travel-slang-dictionary/|title=The Australian travel slang dictionary|work=Australian Traveller|location=Australia|date=2015-06-09 |access-date=2018-02-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.e-motor.com.au/2018/01/03/evolution-of-the-suv/ |title=The evolution of the SUV|work=eMotor|date=2018-01-03|access-date=2018-02-18|archive-date=17 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217144800/https://www.e-motor.com.au/2018/01/03/evolution-of-the-suv/|url-status=dead}}</ref> "[[Chelsea, London|Chelsea]] Tractor" (London, England)<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/news/2004/sep/26/usnews.theobserversuknewspages|title=Terminator guns for the Chelsea Tractor |work=[[The Guardian]]|date=2004-09-26|access-date=2009-07-19|location=London|first=Denis|last=Campbell}}</ref> and "[[Remuera]] Tractor" ([[Auckland]], New Zealand). These terms relate to the theory that four-wheel drive capabilities are not required by affluent SUV owners, and that the SUV is purchased as a status symbol rather than for practical reasons.

In Norway, the term {{lang|no|Børstraktor}} ('Stock Exchange Tractor') serves a similar purpose.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.dn.no/dnBil/article1783421.ece|title=Bloddopet børstraktor|first=Embret|last=Sæter|date=2009-11-26 |publisher=DN.no |language=no|access-date=2012-01-02}}</ref> In the Netherlands, SUVs are sometimes called "P.C. Hooft-tractors" after the exclusive [[P.C. Hooftstraat]] Amsterdam shopping street.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.deondernemer.nl/nieuwsbericht/160/lamborghini-lanceert-ook-pc-hooft-tractor |title=Lamborghini lanceert ook PC Hooft-tractor |language=nl|trans-title=Lamborghini also launches a PC Hooft-tractor |last=Nizet |first=Rik |date=2014-01-14 |websitework=De Ondernemer ('The Entrepreneur')|publisher=De Persgroep|access-date=2018-02-17}}</ref>