What Is an SUV?

Sleek, spacious, and reliable, SUVs are one of the most popular car varieties in the world. If you’re thinking about buying one, it’s easy to see why. Perfect for urban living, but with excellent off-road capabilities, SUVs bring the benefits of four-wheel drive and raised ground clearance to the everyday driver. 

Equally at home on the daily commute and traveling over difficult terrain, an SUV is ideal for every journey. Learn more about these versatile vehicles and discover that buying isn’t your only option.

What qualifies an SUV? 

The acronym ‘SUV’ stands for ‘Sport Utility Vehicle’ and describes its hybrid nature. These vehicles are passenger cars fit for the road but they also boast off-road features. In simple terms, the SUV is a loose category of car that encompasses many four-wheel drive models.

While this clarification is helpful for spotting one out and about, it’s important to note that there’s no universal definition of SUV. There aren’t any strict guidelines across the car industry and in every country around the globe. Some definitions focus on the car’s construction. For example, some claim that an SUV must be built on a light truck chassis. Others focus on the car’s capabilities — like their off-road capacities.

Brands often market their cars depending on the vehicle's entire profile and the target market they think it will appeal to. This means that even if their latest SUV model isn’t built on a light truck chassis, but has many features typical of an SUV and is targeting customers looking for an SUV, they may decide to market it as just that — an SUV. The label makes it clearer for drivers who want what the car offers but aren’t necessarily clued up on the ins and outs of car terminology.

Ask someone on the street to define an SUV, and they'll probably describe it as “a car similar to a station wagon” or “a large car you can drive on roads or over rougher surfaces”. They might suggest it’s “something smaller than a truck, that can be used in a similar way, but can also accommodate passengers”. In all cases, they wouldn’t be wrong. Think of anything that resembles a crossover between a light truck and a passenger vehicle — it’s probably safe to call it an SUV.

What is the difference between a car and an SUV? 

Cars have been around since the late 19th century, courtesy of Carl Benz. However, most people agree that the first SUV (that fits the way we view them today) was the 1984 Jeep Cherokee (XJ). This was the first American car that united off-road drive with a unibody design. The term SUV wasn’t used at the time, and Jeep marketed the new invention as a ‘sports wagon’. Perhaps this gives some insight into where the ‘sport utility’ part of ‘SUV’ comes from.

After the success of the Jeep Cherokee, there was a surge in demand for this style of car. Drivers across the US saw the benefits of a powerful vehicle that could carry the whole family, pets, and camping gear — but still fit on the driveway. SUVs gained an image as being a particularly ‘American’ car. It was the vehicle that reflected the dramatic landscape changes across the country, as well as the multi-faceted lives that many Americans led. Here was a style of car that could be driven both by commuters in Chicago and farmers in rural Texas. Hardwearing and versatile yet sleek and eye-catching, it’s no wonder that the production of SUVs skyrocketed throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.

How have SUVs changed over the years?

Nowadays, SUVs are still as popular as ever. However, they also now feature better safety measures to offset their high ride height and power. Plus, you'll find many of the swish, modern features we've come to expect from contemporary cars. They still appeal to a wide range of drivers for the same core reasons. For instance, their family-friendly build, spacious interior, and good performance in adverse weather conditions. 

And perhaps more than ever, they are also seen as a relatively luxurious car type. Models like the swanky Chevrolet Blazer, bold Jeep Grand Cherokee, and chic Volkswagen ID.4 showcase the SUV’s practical benefits in a visually enticing way.

Is a Jeep an SUV?

Put simply, while most Jeeps are SUVs, not all SUVs are Jeeps. Jeep is a car brand, while SUV refers to a broad category of vehicles.

Still, Jeep has become one of the most well-known and highly regarded manufacturers of SUVs since the launch of the 1984 Cherokee. So it’s natural that people often refer to any brand of SUV as a Jeep. (Just as they might use the brand name Kleenex instead of tissue).

It’s worth remembering that some people use these terms interchangeably. So if someone says they have a Jeep and you want to know if they have a car made by Jeep or an SUV from another manufacturer, you might just have to ask them to clarify.

Regardless, Jeep is still producing some of the most coveted SUVs on the market right now. So maybe they deserve the legacy they’ve built up over time as being “the” SUV manufacturer. If you’re currently shopping around for an SUV, keep in mind that you’ll see more options if you broaden your horizons to brands other than Jeep. The likes of Nissan, Cadillac, and GMC are all delivering some of the best models we’ve seen for a long time, and it’s worth taking a look at different SUV specs before making any decisions.

An alternative to buying an SUV 

Tempted to switch to an SUV but unsure whether to take the leap? Why not opt to subscribe instead of buying one outright? With an SUV subscription, you could be cruising in a high-spec SUV of your choice for a comprehensive monthly rate.

It’s fair to say that conventional car ownership isn’t for everyone. If you want freedom from the hassle of arranging insurance, navigating admin, and knowing what to do with your vehicle at its end-of-life, a car subscription could be for you. With an increasing number of vehicle types available on subscription, there are plenty of models to explore — including SUVs.

Plus, a subscription gives you more freedom and flexibility than a more traditional car lease. Take a look at our previous article to learn more about the differences between car buying, leasing, and subscribing and see which is the best option for you.

Final thoughts 

While there might not be a single definition of an SUV, these ‘Sports Utility Vehicles’ boast a variety of features that make them an unwavering choice for drivers across the country. Bringing together the comfort and convenience of a family car with the benefit of a robust construction and four-wheeled drive, an SUV is ideal for everyday travel and adventurous journeys alike — and there are plenty of models to choose from beyond the classic Jeep.

In the past, if you wanted to drive an SUV, you’d need to purchase one outright. However, you can now avoid the complexities of traditional car ownership with an SUV subscription.

With FINN, you can set up an all-inclusive six or 12-month subscription for a model from your favorite brands, including Jeep, Tesla, Volkswagen, and Chevrolet.

Say goodbye to the paperwork and extra costs that come with owning a car. A FINN car subscription subscription covers insurance, and maintenance — everything but your fuel or EV charging. You don’t need a downpayment and can get your application approved digitally in minutes. Subscribe today.