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Sport Utility Vehicles

© Kathy Ratay

The popularity of the Sport Utility vehicle (SUV) has tripled in the last several years and has come a long way since the Jeep CJ5 series. People are now buying the vehicles for more than just the "four wheeling" days of several years ago. The typical buyer of a SUV is 43 years old, married, has a college degree with a median income of $85,000. The popularity of the Sport Utility Vehicle is the result of car manufacturers offering more handsome exterior styling along with the comforts found in the typical luxury vehicle. One has the option of driving a very comfortable vehicle that can handle the most rugged of road conditions not to mention the handling of the Sports Utility Vehicle in the worst of winter months when snow and ice play havoc with most cars. In recent years, the SUV has been designed with the family in mind. Most Sport Utility vehicles are now equipped with 4 wheel drive and can seat five or more passengers. Drivers of the SUV wouldn't be embarrassed to drive their vehicle to any Country Club parking lot.

The Chrysler Jeep is the most popular and longest lived of all Sport Utility Vehicles. Jeep was originally built by Willy's which is now defunct. American Motors bought the Jeep name and in turn Chrysler bought American Motors in the 1980's. Chrysler revived the name, redesigned the Cherokee and designed the Grand Cherokee to make the Jeep trademark the most recognized Sports Utility Vehicle in the world.

Other Sport Utility Vehicles include the GMC Yukon and, Surburban the Ford Expedition, and the Chevy Blazer. Chevy pulled all the plugs when designing their newest project, The Tahoe, which weighs in at only 4,807, but is capable of hauling a 7,000 pound trailer. All of these Sport Utility vehicles are popular with not only mountain bikers, equestrians, hunters, and kayakers, but also the typical middle class family.

Some of the discontinued Sport Utility Vehicles include the Ford Bronco and the Dodge RamCharger which was discontinued when Chrysler bought the Jeep Product. Dodge will introduce their newest SUV in the 1998 model year, the Durango (which is based on the Dakota platform). Jeep also has several concept cars in the works to introduce their new ideas to the newest growing market of new car buyers.

The popularity of the Sport Utility Vehicle will continue to grow as many car manufacturers will continue to introduce more sporty looking, lighter weight, and roomier cars that are also fun to drive.

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