Evolution of the SUV

1. Evolution of the SUV The highly popular SUV began humbly, but has experienced tremendous growth since it’s creation. Though it’s reputed to be exceptionally well-liked by women, it’s the perfect family car and suitable for all types of drivers. SUVs mix the towing power and cargo space of a truck with an all purpose utility vehicle that can drive easily off and on the road.

2. 1935 Suburban The first SUV was a station wagon type vehicle that was made in 1935. It was favored by businessmen and even at the time it had off-road capabilities. Since its creation, station wagons have gone their own route while the SUV has continued to evolve.

3. 1940: The First Jeep The first evolutionary step was the jeep, and it was favored by the military. Unfortunately, it was found to roll easily and since the first model, jeeps have also gone through several transformations. Jeeps continued to be the preferred SUV for many years to come however, before another model was born.

4. 1965: The First Bronco Noticing Jeep’s success in making jeeps and station wagons, Ford decided to step up and combine the design with their F-100 frame and made the first Bronco. The early models were very successful and owners seemed to like them for their rugged outdoorsy appeal. Ford dealers in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Texas would be wise to market new and used broncos to people looking for a great off-roading and ranch vehicle.

5. 1987 Wranglers Years later, Jeep presented their newly minted Wrangler model, which became instantly popular. Another great SUV for rough riding, a Wrangler can be a gem of a find in any used car dealerships from El Paso to Seattle. Jeep Wranglers are still being made today, but SUVs have continued to move forward.

6. 1996: Toyota RAV4 Toyota’s Rav4 marks the next stage of evolution for the SUV. It’s more like a tall car shaped to resemble a truck body. The Rav4 is a little smaller than traditional SUVs, but it was fairly popular and paved the way for similar models like the Ford Expedition and the Jeep Liberty.

7. 2002: The Ford Escape In early 2000, the SUV evolved once again and the Ford Escape was created. The Escape still isn’t quite as large as some SUV models, but it has the same off-road capabilities and lots of cargo space. It helped design the newest models of SUVs that favored a plush interior and truck-based body shapes.

8. 2003: the Chevy Tahoe Created one year after the Ford Escape, the Chevy Tahoe featured a very plush interior and was much larger than the Escape. The Tahoe is favored by police departments and Chevy is the only car manufacture to have a full line of police vehicles. It’s also a great family vehicle as well, and is suitable for all types of driving, camping, and hunting.

9. 2005: the Lexus RX 400h The latest evolution of the SUV is the Lexus RX 400h, which is sleek, compact, and a hybrid. In order to keep up with the SUV demand and still reduce their carbon footprint, Lexus made the RX 400h to be the first luxury SUV. The model was still being made as of 2009, and remained virtually unchanged since its creation in 2005.

10. The Next Stage? So far the evolution of the SUV has been halted since 2005, but it might be overdue for a change. More and more car manufacturers are producing hybrids. This technology could eventually mean a greener future for SUV models everywhere. SUVs however, are known for their strength and off-road capabilities, which don’t always mesh with hybrid technology. Really, the only thing to do is wait and see what the next stage brings. http://www.jackkey.com