SUVs Embrace a Truck-Like Design
Before the term “sport utility vehicle” entered the automotive lexicon, these vehicles were simply trucks — robust, square-jawed machines like Jeeps, Land Rovers, and Fords. Many initially served military purposes, reflecting the functionality of a drill sergeant.
For years, the crossover SUV reigned, built on the foundation of passenger cars. Their softer contours and smoother handling perfectly matched suburban living.
However, similar to the comeback of padded shoulders on today’s runways, a right-angled design is emerging as a significant trend, even in mainstream SUVs. A fresh generation of rugged electric off-roaders is also challenging the old fuel-guzzling approach.
The iconic boxy style of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class has become a global status symbol, often seen driven by celebrities such as Drake, Simone Biles, Kim Kardashian, and even Russian oligarchs in armored versions. The Land Rover Defender, a British response to the Jeep after World War II, is experiencing a surge in global sales, boosted in part by its prominent role in the Netflix series “The Crown.” Toyota’s redesigned Land Cruiser draws its heritage from a 1950 model created to support American Jeeps during the Korean War.
Critics may view these trucks as extravagant toys for city dwellers more likely to frequent boutiques than muddy trails. But as traditional cars, including luxury sedans, begin to wane, SUVs with heritage and genuine all-terrain abilities have never been more popular.
Alexander Edwards, president of Strategic Vision, a market research firm, noted, “You’ve got a number of folks who loved these vehicles, and then they kind of disappeared. As Hollywood could tell you, nostalgia can generate big revenues, if it’s done authentically.”
