An SUV is a Sport Utility Vehicle, a type of car built higher off the ground than regular cars, with a boxy shape and often four-wheel drive. SUVs combine features from trucks and passenger cars: they sit up high like a truck, giving the driver a better view of the road, but they're designed for comfort like a car, with enclosed passenger areas and space for families.

The first SUVs appeared in the 1930s and 1940s as rugged vehicles for farms and rough terrain. The Jeep, originally built for World War II, became one of the first popular SUVs. By the 1990s, SUVs had become enormously popular with American families who liked the extra space, higher seating position, and feeling of safety. Modern SUVs range from compact models barely bigger than cars to massive three-row vehicles that can seat seven or eight people.

SUVs are popular because they can handle different road conditions, carry lots of cargo (perfect for road trips or hauling sports equipment), and make drivers feel secure. However, they use more fuel than smaller cars and cost more to buy and maintain. Some SUVs are genuine off-road vehicles that can climb rocky trails, while others are really designed for highways and parking lots.