SUV - what is it? Honda SUV: Sport Utility Vehicle

At present, there are a lot of cars of different classes. Some of them are quite difficult to attribute to a certain group. Often, only certain properties in its design or function that a vehicle can perform can help classify a car. Usually all large cars are called jeeps or SUVs. But it's not right. There are several classes of such cars:

• SUV;
• Parking;
• Crossover
• minivan.

But the producers themselves have long ago abandoned this classification. Often cars are produced that combine the qualities of several types of cars. They are made more universal. This class is SUV. What is this, let's try to understand our article.

Features of cars of class SUV

The first machines of mixed class appeared in the USA. SUV-cars are a kind of vehicles capable of carrying a large number of passengers and cargo of overall dimensions, which have sufficient capacity for transportation of heavy trailers. As a rule, these cars are equipped with a powerful motor. There is another definition of SUV: that this is a line of cars for a family that loves active leisure.

SUV - this is an abbreviation of the English word combination Sport Utility Vehicle. Translation from English literally means "practical sports car". These vehicles are often mistakenly called off-road vehicles or jeeps. Also known about the abbreviation SUV, that this is the marketing name of the car, which has the body "station wagon" and, as a rule, the all-wheel drive system.

Most often these cars have an increased ground clearance. Salon they usually have a large volume, which allows you to comfortably accommodate your family. Sufficient space will be for luggage. SUV-cars are able to pull a heavy trailer or a house on wheels.

Also they say about SUV class cars that it is most likely crossovers or SUVs, since they do not have a frame in a constructive way. This feature is inherent only to SUVs.

It should also be noted, speaking of the auto-class SUV, that these are cars that are equipped with engines running on gasoline. Very rarely a diesel engine is used.

History of the origin of the class SUV

If you look closely, you can say about the SUV car, that it is an enlarged car with the addition of some universality. The beginning of the sports-utilitarian class of cars are the 60-70s of the last century. They were primarily intended for outdoor enthusiasts. SUV-cars transported sports equipment, for example, bicycles or kayaks. They were used for trips to nature by the whole family.

Often such trips were accompanied by off-road driving. Therefore, the designers decided to add an SUV class car an additional property - high cross-country capability. This feature was borrowed from off-road cars.

By the 90s, SUV cars had become very popular. Almost every manufacturer produces a crossover or a SUV. Great attention was paid to the exterior. In addition to high terrain, cars of this class had to have little resistance to air flow, in order to reduce fuel consumption on the highway. Modern crossover or SUV has the following qualities:

• Increased ground clearance, high landing;
• High ceiling, spacious interior;
• As a rule, four-wheel drive;
• Good aerodynamics.

American cars of class SUV

SUV-cars in their name should be sporty and versatile vehicles. But in America, this class includes a wider range of machines. The USA has adopted its own classification for SUV cars:

• Compact SUV;
• Mid-size SUV;
• Full-size SUV.

Initially, this division was based on the length of the wheelbase. Until now, these parameters have changed many times.

For American SUV-cars are quite impressive dimensions, good capacity of the cabin, fine interior decoration. In such models, as a rule, a gasoline engine with a large capacity is installed. Suspension and construction of cars of class SUV allow to overcome impassability.

Bright representatives of this class are Jeep Liberty, Ford Escape and Kuga. All these cars were created on the platform of passenger sedans or hatchbacks. They use a bearing body and powerful engines.

Japanese SUV cars

The concept of the Sport Utility Vehicle began to be used by the Americans, but the first production cars of this class were Japanese autocars. The first car came off the assembly line in 1994, it was Toyota RAV-4. A year later, Honda appeared. SUV-cars immediately liked the buyers. They appreciated the advantages of these cars. These models were more convenient and smaller in size compared with SUVs. They were equipped with powerful engines and had increased cross-country capability. The interior was spacious and comfortable.

Following Toyota and Honda, the cars of other Japanese manufacturers came to the market: Nissan and Suzuki. Since the mid-90's, the world began to conquer the world with Japanese SUV-cars. This was the impetus for European automakers. They had to work hard to catch up with the Japanese. Today almost every brand has a model of the class SUV. Even luxury car manufacturers are planning to release a car of this class.

Honda CR-V - the most popular SUV-car

Honda CR-V - one of the most bought cars in the world. This car surprises with its versatility and comfort. The interior is spacious and moderately luxurious. Being inside this car is very cozy and comfortable. The rear seat is easily transformed, which allows you to increase the luggage compartment to an incredible volume, more than 1600 liters.

Along with the convenience for passengers, this car has a high cross-country off-road. This is assisted by a four-wheel drive with the latest Real-time AWD system. The car is very well held road surface. The system of adaptive regulation of electric power steering provides ease of driving.

Now the fourth generation of crossover from Honda is produced. The designers carried out many upgrades of all the car systems. It has various electronic devices that help to control the machine:

• Cruise control;
• Rear view camera;
• Parktronic.

The exterior has smooth lines. It has high aerodynamic parameters. The entire appearance inspires confidence and emphasizes the status of the leader in the SUV category.

European Sport Utility Vehicle

In Europe, by the end of the last century, SUV cars have become very popular. Each European manufacturer has in its model range a crossover or a SUV. No matter how they are called, they all have the properties of the SUV class.

In the model range of modern cars are compact vehicles, medium-sized and large-sized crossovers and parkets. I would like to highlight the top three most popular: BMW X1, Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60. The first car from the list for today has bypassed on sales in Russia of the old competitor from "Audi". SUV-car Audi Q5 was in the lead for a long time. It proved to be a convenient and practical crossover. High ground clearance and full drive allow the model to overcome any impassability. The advantage of a new leader is a more affordable price.

SUV car is the ideal family vehicle

For more than 15 years, SUV cars are gaining popularity. In addition to good cross-country ability, these cars have a high fit for passengers, which increases safety when driving. This fact has become one of the important arguments when choosing a car for the family.

Crossover cabin is very roomy. It will comfortably accommodate a family of 5 people. Thanks to a powerful engine, such cars can pull a trailer or a house on wheels, making them ideal for a family trip.

Tires for SUV

After purchasing a crossover-SUV for many motorists, it becomes a problem to choose rubber tires for their 4-wheeler. Tires for SUV should have the following properties:

1. Have good handling on the asphalt surface, that is, on the road and in the city.
2. Provide off-road terrain.
3. Tires must guarantee reliable operation in winter.

Tires that would connect all three qualities in one can not be found. Rubbers for cars with good performance for all three cases do not exist. When choosing them, one should take into account how and where SUV cars will be used.

If a vehicle in 90% will be used in the city, then you should pay attention to the tires, which will ensure good handling on the surface of asphalt. Also they should produce little noise, be comfortable when driving on city roads.

If the car is planned to be operated more in off-road conditions, then more universal tires should be chosen. They are usually marked M + S on the side.

Tires Hakka SUV from Nokian

The manufacturer of automobile tires Nokian is the world-renowned leader. The proposed range of rubber "shoes" for cars is very wide. Tires are produced for all types of cars. In the product catalog, you can highlight Hakka for the SUV class. This line was specially developed for off-road cars and large-sized crossovers.

In the production of tires, a special mixture of rubber is used. It is capable of withstanding difficult operating conditions. Hakka SUV tires are stiff and well adhered to the ground. They are ideal for overcoming impassability on sandy, stone soils. Tires behave well during braking.