Wasn't the Chevy Blazer the first SUV? I thought I remember it being touted as the first Sport utility vehicle? The reason I ask is that a few that have seen the Cayenne have remarked that it is smaller than expected and its small for an SUV. Wouldn't the Expedition, Tahoe, Escalades of the world be the out of the ordinary SUV?

Suburbans and Land Cruisers have been around for many years but were they ever referred to as Sport Utility Vehicles? Maybe I am showing my age but I remember the ads originally making statements about SUV's being smaller???

 

Sport Utility Vehicle, the term, was coined to describe a slightly smaller trucklike vehicle that would be used for the same duties as a sedan (or, egad....a station wagon!!) but didn'd look so pedestrian. Let's not even get into the question of qualifying as a "truck" to get around existing restrictions. They generally are smaller than their working cousins, more apt to be loaded down with what are now referred to as "creature comforts.".

The Suburban was designed many years(read decades) ago as an enclosed truck that could double as a people carrier, and was expected to work for its keep, unlike the modern SUV. Go to the Midwest or to Texas. That is where one will find the hard working purposeful trucks in larger quantities.
There are Suburbans in many rural areas in other parts of the country, so I hope I am not leaving anyone out.

Cheers!!

 

no, not by a long shot, i remember seeing a 1917 humphry 4x4 that looked just just like 4 door woody. and woodys all look like SUVs

 

When was term "SUV" coined? The trucks have been around much longer than the term.

 

Before there were SUVs there were UT. Utility Trucks. I could ask a guy knowledgable in this area when they came up with SUV.

 

1947 Jeep station wagon. Got 4 wheel drive in '48.
Cheers,
Chris

 

Actually, I think the Jeep Cherokee is considered the first of the 'modern era' SUVs.

 

I recall the International TravelAll as quite the sport ute from way back...

As well as the International Scout.

But I would bet it was a Jeep Wagoneer of some sort that was a "1st SUV."