2002 GMC Envoy SUV of the Year Comparison Test Drive
What exactly is a sport utility vehicle? What qualifies a vehicle to compete in this segment? Why do we worry about the definition?
It all has to do with the very success of the category.Meteoric growth of the SUV market, and the big business it represents for virtually every manufacturer, means huge resources are committed to designing, developing, and marketing these products, and to competing for consumers interest. Everyone is looking for an edge, a new twist, and tremendous diversity is springing up under what used to be the simple heading of “sporty/utility”. In the search for ever greater comfort and refinement, not only are traditional truck-based SUV’s taking on more carlike qualities, but new models that are, in fact, based on existing car platforms are demanding entry to the SUV club. Recently the term Crossover vehicle entered our lexicon. Take the foundation of a sedan or minivan, repackage it for AWD and more ground clearance, and offer it as a “crossover” alternative for buyers who might not be drown to the trucklike demeanor of old school sport utes. Most automakers are now successful with this formula.
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