Every brand's first SUV – and its newest (2024)

FAQs

What brand made the first SUV? ›

Back in the 1930s, SUVs were primarily used as off-road vehicles, and when 1946 came, that's when the first SUV was ever made. The Willys Jeep Station Wagon was designed to transport people and cargo in rural areas, and its popularity paved the way for other SUVs that followed.

Honda CR-V: $6,000-$16,000

Honda CR-Vs from 2015 through at least 2023 have earned either an IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick Plus award, making them one of the safest SUVs on the road.

The predecessors to SUVs date back to military and low-volume models from the late 1930s, and the four-wheel-drive station wagons and carryalls that began to be introduced in 1949. The 1984 Jeep Cherokee (XJ) is considered to be the first SUV in the modern style.

Jeep – Jeep Wagoneer (1963)

The birth of the SUV can't be discussed without highlighting Jeep's pioneering contributions. The Jeep Wagoneer, introduced in 1963, was a game-changer. It combined the capabilities of a rugged off-roader with the comforts of a passenger car, effectively establishing the luxury SUV segment.

Often referred to as the "big daddy of SUVs," the Scorpio N has garnered attention for its overall appeal.

Bronco - the world's first Sport-Utility Vehicle. On August 11, 1965, Don Frey, the Ford Motor Company Vice President and Ford Division General Manager introduced the Ford Bronco by noting the company had added another pony to the stable to join its big brother, the Mustang.

The first SUV-like vehicle that had commercial versions was the Chevrolet Suburban panel truck. Panel trucks by American manufacturers were built until the late 1970s.

Any vehicle exceeding four meters in length, has an engine capacity of 1,500 cc or more, and has an unladen ground clearance of 170 mm or more is considered SUV.

What does cuv stand for? ›

Crossover Vehicle

The crossover, sometimes abbreviated to the CUV for crossover-utility vehicle, is a bridge between the a midsize car and an SUV.

1. Range Rover Sport. Many brands have tried to muscle in on this increasingly crowded corner of the market, but none has yet managed to depose the king of luxury SUVs: the Range Rover.

Lamborghini Urus is the first Super Sport Utility Vehicle in the world, merging the soul of a super sports car with the practical functionality of an SUV.

It is said that International Harvester Scouts are the original precursors of the SUVs to come. Dating back to the days before the term “SUV” was coined or even uttered, International Harvester Scouts entered the scene, leaving an indelible mark in the history of motor vehicle development.

Ford Bronco – First introduced in 1966, the Ford Bronco was one of the first SUVs on the market and quickly became a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts.

Benz Patent Motor Car: The first automobile (1885–1886) | Mercedes-Benz Group > Company > Tradition > Company History.

SUV's (Sport Utility Vehicles) began their life as military vehicles. The US army called on automobile manufacturers to invent a prototype vehicle that was 4 wheel drive and was tough, durable and capable of carrying soldiers over rough terrain.