\You see them everywhere, in different sizes and forms. We refer to the omnipresent Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). But while we see them all around, many people are still confused as to what exactly is an SUV.
Traditionally, an SUV was designed as a tall riding station wagon built on a truck platform. It often had four-wheel drive that allowed it to tackle off-road trails. Even before the term came into being, examples like the CarryAll Suburban of 1935 were already being marketed by General Motors with the exact specs mentioned.
As time went by, however, the crossover came into the scene. While it was still a high-riding vehicle with the space of a station wagon or large sedan, it ditched the truck chassis for a lighter and more fuel efficient sedan platform. This not only reduced weight but helped improve on-road drivability. All-wheel drive was still on offer—minus the heavy transfer case.