Ten Interesting Facts About SUVs Past and Present

The sport-utility vehicle has a longer history than many people realize. Variations on the SUV range from two-door convertibles to massive autos with three rows of seats. Consequently, there are plenty of interesting facts about these vehicles:

1. The first American SUVs appeared in the mid-1930s. A British automaker released its original sport-utility vehicle about 13 years later. One Japanese company did the same shortly after.

2. During the 1970s, most SUVs were comparatively small and had two doors. Different models featured fixed or convertible roofs. They primarily came from U.S. and U.K. manufacturers.

3. A few costly European models offer tremendous performance. They can exceed 160 mph or accelerate to 60 mph in under five seconds. At least one of these autos boasts a 12-cylinder engine that generates 450 hp.

4. Sport-utility vehicles started to become more comfortable in the 1960s as some brands upgraded their interiors. American luxury automakers introduced far more opulent models a few decades later.

5. Almost one out of five new passenger automobiles were SUVs in 1999. They represented nearly nine percent of total autos on U.S. roads. During the '90s, these vehicles gained popularity more quickly than any other type of car.

6. A tremendous variety of companies have produced SUVs at one time or another. They range from inexpensive Korean brands to high-end automakers in Germany, Sweden and Italy.

7. In 2006, a young Michigan boy drove an SUV multiple blocks before police stopped him. The five-year-old was able to see through the windshield by standing on the seat. He wanted to find his mother.

8. Sport-utility vehicles remain particularly popular in certain states. They include Colorado, Arkansas, Texas, Nebraska, North Dakota and Utah. Station wagons and sedans with all-wheel drive are common in some of the same places.

9. During early 2016, Ford issued a press release about the Ford Explorer Dearborn, Michigan. It reported that sales had increased significantly in the past year and this model attracted more millenials than its other SUVs.

10. Cars aren't the only vehicles that take part in races. Many heavy-duty SUVs and trucks participate in the annual Dakar Rally. This lengthy competition involves a variety of rugged terrain.

These facts highlight the versatility of sport-utility vehicles. Although many trends have come and gone, SUVs consistently remain popular for off-road driving and winter travel.