Best SUV

SUVs

From the battle fields of the Second World War, the Sports Utility Vehicle has always had a special place in modern history and culture. It is a vehicle of many different shapes and sizes and used for harsh outdoor driving as well as inner city bustle. Its drivers vary from soccer moms transporting their young families, young adults, 4wd enthusiasts, rap artists, sportsmen.. and regular people like you and me. All of the top car manufacturers have a number of models on the market as the SUV becomes increasingly popular. The competition to produce the best SUV is fierce, with each car company combining different aspects to produce their version of the top SUV.

SUV History

The SUV finds it origins out of the extreme technological innovation that swept over the US during the Second World War. The US army, knowing that they were to embark on a long drawn out military campaign, enlisted the help of car manufacturers to come up with a prototype for a cheap general purpose army vehicle. The first general purpose vehicle was produced by the Willys-Overland company and put into mass production comprising of 80% of all wheeled military vehicles built in the US during the war. Coined the "Jeep", some say a play on words of the letters GP ("general purposes" or "GPW - the name of first model type"), this vehicle was mass exported to Britain and the Soviet Union, and used by allied soldiers on the sands of North Africa, the shores of Normandy and in the unforgiving climate of the pacific, to assist the allies in their victory in the second world war.

From its creation out of the fires of war, this "jungle pet" with the capability to maneuver any situation was unleashed on the mass market, and it was received with great success. This utility vehicle which was most naturally used for off road and transportation purposes was soon noticed by consumers for its sporty, yet roomy and mutli-purposes use. In response to popular demand, competition for this new type of vehicle became fierce with Land Rover, Jeep, Ford and Chevrolet all releasing various models of top SUVs for mass consumption.

In the 1970s, the US ratified the corporate average fuel economy standard to regulate fuel economy in passenger vehicles. The top SUV, as it was built in those days was not the most economic of vehicles and fell below the new standard. To avoid this, the SUV was designated as a "word vehicle" in the car industry. This was symoblized by the American Motor Company's lobbying of the US EPA to have its compact Jeep Cherokee designated as a "light truck" rather than passenger vehicle - it was successful.

The real spike in popularity occurred in the 1990s and early 2000s with consumers now seeing the top SUV as an urban vehicle suitable for families given its size and safety.

Who drives SUVs?

For urban driving, people are generally looking for value, safety, and cabin space, whilst off road uses will also focus on hauling ability, engine size and durability. The consistent factor for all drivers looking for the best SUV seems to be dependability and safety, which are listedas the most important characteristics to users.

Some say that top SUVs are perceived as fashionable and as making a statement about an active or high-income lifestyle. This, combined with the size and inherent safety feature of a top SUV is why this vehicle is also known as the car for "soccer moms".

SUVs are also popular as trade vehicles due to their ability to cover unforgiving terrain and get to those unreachable destinations. At the same time, given the large cabin space, many trades people will use it to store tools and equipment.

As the top SUV in modern times has turned into a more sportier vehicle, it is increasingly being purchased by younger drivers as a fashion symbol of their generation. The Toyota RAV capitalized on this market with its cool and sporty look characterizing a younger generation of SUV driver.

Best SUV Variations

Who is winning the race to produce the best SUV? This is a hard question to answer as different SUVs will suite different people. Top SUVs are available in all types of shapes and sizes to cater for all needs. There are luxury models, offroaders, crossovers, hybrids and many more.

Luxury SUVs are distinguished by top design and quality interiors made of premium materials. They include higher-technology for comfort and convenience, and advanced safety features beyond the standard safety offerings. The ride in a luxury SUV is smooth and comfortable handling curves and corners with ease. Examples of the best SUV luxury models include the Cadillac Escalade, the Infiniti QX56 and the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Diesel. Offroaders on the other hand are generally characterized by low-range gearing with the four-wheel drive, increased terrain tires and ride height. They will have strong engines and be able to carry heavier loads but will also have a slightly smaller and less luxurious interiors. Examples of the best SUV premium offroaders include the Ford Explorer, Jeep Liberty and Toyota FJ Cruisers. There are even hybrid models that incorporate the latest advances in eco-friendliness. The best SUVs in this category include hybrid models of the Ford Escape, the Volkswagon Touareg and the Cadillac Escalade. Last but not least are the fuel efficient top SUVs which is one of the most important considerations for any car buyer. The best SUVs in this category include the Audi Q5, the Honda Element and the Mazda Tribute.

Celebrities Owning the Top SUVs

SUV, as an image of status, is well known in the celebrity world. All the top celebrities want to have the latest best SUV. From Jack Osbourne'sBMW X5, Arnold Schwarzenegger's Jeep Grand Wagoneer, H2, H1 and Busta Rhymes H2, or the "Bee".LievSchriber drives a red Audi Q7 which, for those fans of the Bollywood scene, is also driven by John Abrahams.

SUV Reviews

On suv.reviewitonline.net, we have tried to create the best SUV reviews so you can easily establish which SUV is the best SUV for your needs. The site provides SUV reviews for all 2011 and 2012 SUV, as well as ranking the best SUVs into different categories for your convenience, including best luxury SUV, best economy SUV, best family SUV and many more.

Our SUV reviews draw on hours of practical research including sending our team into the field, test driving vehicles, reading other authority SUV review sites and publications, and obtaining as much information as possible to make our SUV reviews the top SUV reviews on the subject and to be as relevant and useful to you as possible. It is our mission to provide you with the best SUV reviews, so you can choose the best SUV.