A sport-utility vehicle (often shortened to SUV) is a large, sturdy car built higher off the ground than regular cars, with a boxy shape and room for lots of passengers and cargo. SUVs combine features from trucks and passenger cars: they typically have powerful engines, four-wheel drive for rough terrain, and a tall body that makes it easy to see over traffic.

The “sport” part originally meant they could handle outdoor activities like camping, fishing, or off-road driving. The “utility” part refers to their usefulness: most SUVs can seat seven or eight people, fold down the back seats to carry furniture or sports equipment, and tow boats or trailers.

SUVs became hugely popular in America starting in the 1990s. Families liked having one vehicle that could handle school carpools, weekend adventures, and snowy roads. Some SUVs are built for serious off-road work, while others are designed mainly for highway driving and just look rugged.

The term can feel a bit misleading today since many modern SUVs rarely venture off paved roads or do anything particularly sporty. Some people use crossover to describe smaller, car-based SUVs that prioritize comfort over off-road capability. Whether carrying a soccer team to practice or hauling camping gear to a national park, SUVs remain one of the most popular vehicle types on American roads.