what is an suv motor vehicle Page 9

An SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) is essentially a high‑riding wagon with extra ground clearance and a whiff of outdoorsy bravado.

In Australia it can be front‑wheel drive or all‑wheel drive; the badge doesn’t guarantee serious off‑road talent any more than hiking boots guarantee a summit. Most modern SUVs use car‑like unibody platforms, while old‑school 4x4s stick to body‑on‑frame for tougher towing and rough tracks. It’s not a legal registration category so much as a market segment spanning small to large, five to seven seats. Upsides: easier entry/exit, better visibility and flexible cargo; downsides: more weight, thirst and less agility than an equivalent hatch or wagon. Buy for practicality, not hero shots on a brochure beach.