So, let’s start by saying there are jeeps that are SUVs. But, on the other hand, jeeps are not SUVs. Confusing, right? The SUV (sport utility vehicle) is a type of car when on the other side, the jeep is a brand.
Under the jeep is where you get different models, and that’s where you get a jeep that is an SUV. SUV has that sleek urban look while jeep has the rugged style that thrives on off roads.
Apart from their appearance, other differences will help you differentiate the two. Some jeep models look so similar, and you can’t differentiate easily. But don’t worry, this article will help you understand the two vehicles to ensure you can tell the difference and the similarities.
What is an SUV
SUV is classified as a light truck rather than a car. It is also relaxed fuel efficient due to the feature. SUV is the perfect family car as it is a light truck with the power and a minivan due to space.
The most conspicuous feature in an SUV is its shape. It has a bulky sporty body due to the large wheels and the high clearance to ensure good visibility.
They have the ragged feature like the jeep, but their modern style has made it stand out more. Are you looking for an all-purpose vehicle? SUV gives you that classy fun vibe and is functional in all kinds of services from mud, ice, snow, and many more.
Its power can accommodate more luggage without changing, and looking like it has carried anything. SUVs are designed to perform multiple purposes. The improved version of the SUV is better. It is durable compared to other vehicles and has more capacity.
SUV Body Structure
The SUV has two designs. One is the station wagon design, where the engine compartment is found in the front and the passenger-cargo area.
On the other hand, the sedan has two different compartments consisting of the boot and the truck. Before 2010 most SUV designs had two doors, but they have changed the design to a four-door car from that year.
The Size of the SUV
It is likely to assume that all SUVs are big compared to other cars, but that’s not the case. There are different sizes of SUVs. The first size is the compact crossover, which consists of the smallest.
They are all cars and consist of four or six engine cylinders. These kinds of SUVs are not good when it comes to off-roading. On the positive side, they have efficient fuel consumption.
An example of such SUVs includes Toyota RAV4 and Honda CRV. There are medium-sized crossover vehicles recommended for small families also since they consume less and emit less, they are advised for people living in cities.
There are the medium-sized SUVs that come with the six engine cylinder or an eight engine cylinder. They are also equipped with the four-wheel-drive feature to ensure they can handle a rugged road.
It also comes with more space making it ideal for a family. An example of such SUVs is the Kia Sorento and the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
If you have a big family, the full-size SUVs are the way to go. The large SUVs are seven-seaters and have a large area that makes it ideal for a big family.
Apart from that, they have a high towing power, which means you can tow your camping trailer and also boats on those fun days. Apart from that, the full-size SUVs are best for off roads, and hence if you are looking for a little adventure, the full-size SUVs are the way to go.
They also have a disadvantage; it accelerates slowly. Also, due to their height, they are likely to roll over and harm the user. Full size also tends to consume more fuel as compared to other SUVs. Examples of full-size SUVs include the Ford Explorer.
History of SUV’s
It’s funny how the SUV starting is similar to the jeeps. The first modern-style SUV was the Jeep Cherokee, which was introduced in 1984.
Earlier on, the military used SUVs for their transportation around the 1930s. The SUV broke the market in the late 1990s and early 2000s with their smaller versions, including the Crossover.
It occupies the most extensive automotive segment, 36.8% of the passenger car from research done in 2017. From this, we can clearly see that SUV has been there for many decades and has had years of improvement and advancement, making it popular among other vehicle types.
How Safe are SUV’s?
The SUV has a tall body and high clearance ground. These features have their advantages, but research has shown the design has led to a high rollover of SUV as compared to other cars.
This is because of the high center of gravity affected by the weather or the winds. The tall body feature has an advantage in accidents as the impact is low compared to other cars like the sedan.
Research has been shown in case of an accident. There are 50% chances the person in the SUV will survive as compared to the others in other cars.
When it comes to a head-on accident, the large SUVs are better, and the accident has fewer impacts than other small and medium-sized cars. But in the same scenario, it poses more danger to the other party involved in the accident.
What Type of Car is a Jeep?
What comes to your mind when you hear the word jeep? Those big doorless vehicles we see in races trying to climb muddy hills? You are not all wrong. They are described as rugged off-road vehicles.
Rugged means the durability and steadiness of the car. When describing, they sound almost the same as the SUVs, but they don’t look the same.
The four by four aspect is the one that brings about the similarities between the jeep and the SUVs. The jeep came up with the SUV design early in 1941, which was known as 4×4.
A few years before, the name and SUV model came up. The jeep was made for the military during world war two. With time many more and better models of the jeep SUV designs have come up with better advancement.
The Difference between SUV and 4×4 It’s clear from the above that not all jeeps are four-wheel drive, but most of them are four-wheel.
In most cases, people tend to describe SUVs as four-wheel drive despite there being two-wheel SUVs. From these perspectives, then almost all jeeps are SUVs as they support four-wheel drive. This feature is also a reason for the confusion about whether a jeep is an SUV.
The Difference between SUV and 4×4
It’s clear from the above that not all jeeps are four-wheel drive, but most of them are four-wheel. In most cases, people tend to describe SUVs as four-wheel drive despite there being two-wheel SUVs.
From these perspectives, then almost all jeeps are SUVs as they support four-wheel drive. This feature is also a reason for the confusion about whether a jeep is an SUV.
Conclusion on are jeeps SUVs
The comparison between the two is not fair from the above information as we have established SUVs is made up of two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, meaning describing SUVs using the four-wheel-drive doesn’t do it justice.
On the other hand, the jeep is a whole brand containing different vehicle models, including the SUV model. From their look, you get a little difference.
The SUV has a modern urban look, while for jeep, we get the rugged look. Both vehicles are powerful, and most are usable off-road, but each has specific features that make them unique in their own way. Make sure you go through all the features and choose depending on your preference
