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SUVs, or Sports Utility Vehicles to give them their full name, seem to have taken over the world over the past few years.
How did we get here? Join us as we chart the history and evolution of the SUV, looking at the cars that pioneered the way, in date order.
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Willys MB
The forefather of the modern SUV, the Willys MB of 1941 is pretty much where it all began. Built for use in World War II, it was developed to be tough, simple and rugged, with four-wheel drive to get to places other vehicles couldn’t.
Around 360,000 were built, making it the world’s first mass-produced four-wheel drive car. Maker Willys-Overland trademarked the MB’s nickname – jeep – and an entire brand, and category of car, was born.
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Land Rover Defender
Few of the people involved in launching the original Land Rover – as it was then known – in 1948 could have foreseen its incredible 68-year production run. Conceived as a utility vehicle it became much more, spawning countless variations and an entire brand, selling more than 2 million units and picking up a new name – Defender – along the way.
After a wait of nearly four years since Defender production ended, the all-new version revealed in 2019 has a lot to live up to.
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Toyota Land Cruiser
Another icon with a military background, the Land Cruiser remains a no-nonsense 4x4 even in its current iteration, as Toyota prepares to celebrate the model’s 70th anniversary in 2021.
The go-to choose where terrain is tough and breaking down is not an option, the Land Cruiser continues to do the business; since its launch in 1951 more than 10 million have been produced. The J60 iteration pictured was built from 1980 to 1990 and offered – like most Land Cruisers – a wide variety of body and seating options.
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Jeep Wagoneer
Another hugely influential Jeep model, the Wagoneer was the pioneer for the luxury SUVs we’re so enamoured of today. From its launch in 1963, it was available with sophisticated features such as independent front suspension, power steering and air-conditioning.
More luxury equipment and powerful engines were added over a remarkable 29-year production run that was testament to just how far ahead of the times it was.
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Range Rover
Since the launch of the first-generation model in 1970, no car has combined chic style and genuine go-anywhere ability quite like the Range Rover. Now in its fourth generation, each iteration has become ever more luxurious, yet it still has the hardware (and more latterly software) to enable it to reach places other SUVs can’t.
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Suzuki Jimny
The super-cute retro look of today’s Suzuki Jimny isn’t a pastiche – this is a little SUV with a long heritage, with 2.85 million Jimny models sold since the first version arrived in 1970. Earlier LJ models were tiny (and initially had a 360cc engine), while later SJ versions were larger, more ‘urban’ and sometimes plastered in questionable 1980s graphics.
The third-generation car had a remarkable 20-year production run while the current, fourth-generation car – launched in 2018 – remains small, rugged and a proper off-road tool.
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Jeep Cherokee
If nothing else, the Jeep Cherokee is worthy of inclusion for the way it has reflected the changes in the SUV market over the years. Launched as a cheaper, three-door version of the Wagoneer in 1974, it took on a much more urbane look with the second-generation ‘XJ’ model of 1984 (pictured).
Third and fourth-generation cars had a more rugged, retro style to differentiate them from the luxury-focused Grand Cherokee that arrived in 1993. Today the Cherokee is a mainstream crossover that’s closely related to the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, and is available with either front- or four-wheel drive. The Cherokee XJ was the primary reason Chrysler bought Jeep and its parent AMC in 1987, and today Jeep is a crucial part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
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Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen
The G-Wagen defies logic in many ways – as Mercedes-Benz has become one of the most innovative brands around, its oldest, crudest model has lingered on and become one of its most loved and desired cars, selling 300,000+ units since its launch in 1979.
Wild AMG and six-wheeler versions have added to the G-Wagen’s allure, but it still looks much like the car that launched forty years ago, even after a ground-up renewal in 2018.
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Mitsubishi Pajero
Mitsubishi’s status as an expert in robust four-wheel drive vehicles is largely constructed on the foundations built by the Pajero (or Shogun, as it’s known in some markets). Launched in 1982, its reliability and no-nonsense capability have helped it sell almost 3.2 million units worldwide.
Although the fourth-generation model – which was launched in 2006 – remains in production, sales have been discontinued in Japan and the UK and the Shogun’s long-term future is unclear.
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Jeep Wrangler
You can trace the bloodline of the Jeep Wrangler right back to the Willys MB of 1941. Launched in 1986, it was a direct replacement for the Jeep CJ, which was itself the successor to the Willys MB.
Offered with a range of body styles and wheelbases over the years, around 2 million Wranglers have been sold since its introduction. The current, fourth-generation Wrangler (pictured) retains the body-on-frame and solid axle construction of its predecessors, wrapped in bodywork that references its illustrious heritage.
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Lamborghini LM002
Lamborghini was the first brand to have a go at combining the best attributes of the supercar and the SUV when it launched the LM002 in 1986.
With a V12 Countach engine up front, an aluminium and fibreglass body and four-wheel drive chassis with three locking differentials it was a fearsome beast. The world wasn’t ready for it, however, and just 300 were produced. Lamborghini returned to the SUV sector – with arguably more success – when it launched the Urus in 2018.
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Ford Explorer
Ford’s mid-size (by US standards) SUV is notable largely because of its sheer ubiquity – since its launch in 1990 around 8 million have been sold. The second-gen car pictured was produced between 1994 and 2001; the current sixth-generation model went on sale in 2019, complete with a 395bhp ST high-performance derivative.
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Toyota RAV4
Since its launch in 1994, the RAV4 has fuelled the exponential growth of the compact SUV sector, with more than 8 million examples sold.
While earlier versions (such as the second-generation model pictured) were renowned for their nimble nature and fun handling, later models have grown in size and introduced innovations such as hybrid powertrains. The name stands for ‘Recreational Activity Vehicle: 4-wheel drive’, in case you were wondering.
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Honda CR-V
Pipped to the post by rival Toyota by a year, Honda launched the CR-V in 1995. Like its Japanese counterpart the RAV4 the CR-V put on-road dynamics far ahead of any off-road ability, signalling a shift in what an SUV should be. This successful formula has resulted in more than 9 million CRVs being sold to date.
The second-generation model pictured featured innovations such as a walk-through cabin and fold-out picnic table; later versions have pushed the CR-V upmarket and introduced cutting-edge active safety features.
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Lincoln Navigator
While the decision to launch a big luxury SUV would be a no-brainer today, it was something of a gamble when Ford decided to add one to its Lincoln sub-brand line-up in 1997. Based on the Ford Expedition, but with a range of extra kit and styling changes, it was effectively the US’s first homegrown ‘full-size’ (large by European standards) luxury SUV.
The gamble paid off, with approximately 180,000 Navigators sold to date. The current, fourth-gen version is the biggest yet, especially in long-wheelbase Navigator L guise (pictured).
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Land Rover Freelander
Having helped pioneer both the SUV as we know it and the luxury SUV, Land Rover played a key role in creating the compact SUV sector when it launched the Freelander in 1997.
Designed by future Land Rover design chief Gerry McGovern, the Freelander hit the spot. After two successful generations the Freelander name was retired, when the model morphed into the Discovery Sport in 2014.
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Cadillac Escalade
The star of countless rap videos, the Cadillac Escalade helped cement the SUV’s position as a status symbol. Launched in 1998, each new model has become progressively larger and more bombastic.
The third-generation model (pictured) introduced a hybrid model yet the Escalade remains a symbol of conspicuous consumption; the long-wheelbase (ESV) version of the current fourth-generation model is almost 5.6 metres long. An all-new version replete with 38-inch curved OLED driver display screen is due in 2020.
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Lexus RX
Lexus got into the luxury SUV game early on, launching the RX 300 in 1998. It moved the sector on with the second-generation car (pictured), when the ground-breaking RX400h version arrived in 2005. Labelled ‘the world’s first production premium hybrid vehicle’ by Lexus, it combined powerful acceleration with an electric-only mode, putting Lexus years ahead of the curve.
RX Sales have totalled around 2.2 million to date; the current model was launched in 2015 and an all-new version is likely in 2021.
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BMW X5
BMW shifted the definition of the premium SUV forever with the X5. While the Mercedes M-Class pre-dated it, the original X5 – launched in 1999 – was in a different league for driving appeal. This was a big SUV that drove more like a sports saloon.
The X5 remains a big deal for BMW, with around 2.2 million examples sold to date. It also pioneered BMW production in America – the Spartanburg plant where it is built is now BMW’s largest in the world, building 500k SUVs a year.
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Porsche Cayenne
Ah, the Porsche Cayenne. The car that Porsche purists felt should never have been made, yet also the car that more or less saved the company from extinction, with approximately 800,000 sold to date.
Instantly the dynamic benchmark for large sporty SUVs upon its launch in 2003, the Cayenne – now into its third generation – remains a remarkable exercise in defying the laws of physics.
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Nissan Qashqai
Nissan gambled big when it launched the Qashqai in 2006, dropping mainstream models in key markets and focusing instead on launching a ‘crossover’ model that combined SUV presence with hatchback-like driving appeal and costs. The rest is history, as sales of approximately 3.5 million to date testify.
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BMW X6
Did the world really need a slightly less practical, more expensive version of the X5? Of course not, but that’s exactly what it got when the X6 was launched in 2008.
It’s fair to say that the X6, now in its third generation, remains a car that divides opinion, but total sales of around 450,000, not to mention a raft of copycat models from rival brands, suggest that BMW had its finger on the pulse after all.
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Range Rover Sport
The diversification of Land Rover’s model range really kicked off with the launch of the Range Rover Sport in 2009. While slightly more rakish than the full-fat version it was still clearly a Range Rover. Sporty? Not so much.
The second-generation model that arrived in 2013 was much better to drive (and to look at), helping Land Rover cater to the growing number of buyers looking for a big, fast, flashy SUV. To date, around 500,000 Range Rover Sports have been sold.
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Mini Countryman
‘But it’s not mini at all,’ they cried. And they were right. The Countryman challenged perceptions of how big a Mini should be – when it was launched in 2010. That said, it was still reasonably small, and highlighted the growing trend for compact SUVs.
The second-generation model, which arrived in 2017, was significantly larger, yet despite – or perhaps because of – its size the Countryman has been a success. The less said about the three-door Paceman coupe spin-off model the better, however.
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Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Mitsubishi had been building Outlanders for 12 years when launched the plug-in-hybrid (PHEV) version of the third-generation model in 2013. It was a case of perfect timing, as the addition of an electrified powertrain tapped into a surge in demand for both hybrid cars and SUVs. It turned a pretty unremarkable car into sales gold, with more than 200,000 sold to date.
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Tesla Model X
The Tesla Model X launched a new era, becoming the first mass-produced electric SUV upon its launch in 2015. Its wild ‘Falcon Wing’ roof-hinged doors are the centrepiece, but the Model X also offers a range of up to 314 miles and, in Performance form, a 0-60mph time of just 2.7 seconds.
Rivals are only just catching up, but the next few years will see an explosion in the number of all-electric SUVs on our roads.
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Bentley Bentayga
If there were any doubts that there was an appetite for a Bentley SUV, the fact that it quickly became the brand’s best-selling model crushed them. Around 16,000 Bentaygas have been sold since the model’s launch in 2015.
The model continues to evolve, with a hybrid version and four-seat and seven-seat layouts made available during 2019.
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Rolls-Royce Cullinan
The first Rolls-Royce with four-wheel drive, and its first SUV, the Cullinan truly took Rolls-Royce into uncharted territory when it was launched in 2019.
As opulent and effortless as you’d expect, power comes from a twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre engine that delivers 563bhp and 627lb ft of torque. A Black Badge version with even more power was unveiled in November 2019. The model made up 40% of total company sales in 2021.
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Aston Martin DBX
After years of speculation and months of teaser images, Aston Martin finally revealed its first SUV, the DBX, in November 2019. It’s overtly sporty, with styling full of design cues from Aston’s two-door models and a 542bhp twin-turbo V8 under the bonnet.
It's already become Aston's biggest-selling car - indeed it now outsells the rest of the range put together. In 2022, the firm introduced a new 700bhp derivate, named DBX 707.
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Ford Mustang Mach-E
If, ten years ago, you had told someone with an interest in cars that in 2022 the famous Mustang pony emblem would be attached to an all-electric SUV you may well have been sniggered at. If you then said that it would be the starting point for a whole family of Mustang-branded electric cars you’d probably have been laughed out of town. Such is the rapid pace at which the automotive – and SUV – sector is evolving.
Ford has gone all-out with the Mach-E, banking on the power of the Mustang legend to give its wholesale entry into the electric car market some extra oomph. Its more expensive versions have some of the longest-ranges of any EV today- around 300 miles on a single charge.
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