A Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), simply stated is a passenger vehicle with certain special features - towing like a pick-up truck, passenger-carrying space like a minivan etc. SUVs usually come under the category of light trucks. In certain parts of the world, SUVs are called 'off-road vehicles' and 'four by four'’. However, it is to be noted that not all SUVs have four-wheel drive capabilities. Again, although some SUVs do have off-road capabilities, this is not its primary function.

SUVs became popular in the United States, Canada, and Australia in the 1990s and early 2000s for a variety of reasons. This trend was widely called SUV craze. But lately there have been lots of complaints that SUVs consume excessive gasoline, makes more pollution and less safe. Due to oil prices steadily increasing since the mid-2000s, the demand for SUVs has been declining. In June of 2008, General Motors announced plans to close four plants manufacturing trucks and SUVs. Manufacturers are now replacing the traditional truck-based SUV with a new vehicle type called the Cross-over SUV which uses a car platform for lighter weight and is also more fuel-efficient.

The SUVs have all along resembled mid-sized passenger vehicles constructed on a chassis similar to that found on light truck. They predominantly come with gasoline engines often using similar engines as pickup trucks. SUVs with diesel engines are also available in the market. Lately, SUV bodies have become more aerodynamic to reduce wind resistance and improve fuel efficiency. Most mid-size and full-size SUVs have three rows of seats with a cargo area directly behind the last row of seats. Compact SUVs and Mini SUVs usually have five or fewer seats, especially if they are based on a car platform instead of a light truck.

It is said that some sport utility vehicles had frames nearly five times as stiff as those of cars of similar weight. The SUV’s extraordinary strength may cause any other colliding vehicle driver would instantly die in the crash and stiffer vehicles are deadlier to other motorists. The Federal safety agency also announced that it would convene an international Light Trucks and Vans Summit in Detroit to review the safety problems associated with Sport Utility Vehicles and other Pickups.

It is believed that ten percent of all vehicles on the road are SUVs, which means there are about 22 million SUVs getting registered in the USA. Sport utility vehicles have always been widely sought-after by sportsmen who need them to navigate difficult terrain, as well as by those people who live and work in remote areas where road conditions are less than perfect.

As the consumption of SUV's grows, more and more SUV accessories are being introduced. A few accessories are specially designed for particular SUV makes and models, while most others can be used with any SUV. Interior accessories such as seat covers and floor mats are available, while exterior accessories such as tow hitches, ski racks, and bike racks are also widely bought.

If you are in the market for a new SUV, the best place to scout is the internet where you will find the list of SUV manufacturers and resources, the specifications, options, OEM accessories and consumer information for almost all SUV models. There are many so-called sport utility vehicles on the market today. Some of these such as the GMC Jimmy and the Chevrolet Blazer may belong to the economy class but are very excellent sport utility vehicles. The sport utility vehicles that you can seriously consider are Land Rover, Toyota 4Runner, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Mitsubishi Montero Sport, the Ford Expedition, and the Ford Explorer.