SUV Chronicle

When tracing the history of SUVs, Jeep and Land Rover are brands that cannot be overlooked. Both companies primarily produced four-wheel-drive vehicles for professional use after World War II, and while in limited numbers, they also offered civilian versions leveraging their expertise. However, driven by rising leisure demands, they began to conceive passenger cars with dedicated designs and comfort features. This was in the 1960s, with the Jeep Wagoneer and the Land Rover Range Rover being the progenitors.

The SUV category, long dominated by specialized manufacturers, began to change in the 1990s. Japanese manufacturers were instrumental in popularizing designs based on passenger car monocoque frames within the four-wheel-drive world, which had previously relied on robust full-frame structures. While their off-road capability was less, they offered superior agility in urban use and, being produced on passenger car lines, allowed for lower manufacturing costs. The Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V were pioneers in this regard. Then, in 1997, Toyota released theLexus RX (known in Japan as the Harrier), which achieved explosive popularity, establishing the modern SUV category.



Most of the models shaping today's SUV market are based on passenger car platforms, resulting in a wide array of vehicles in terms of type and class. In contrast, models with full-frame structures are now largely confined to those intended for serious off-road use.

Land Rover is attempting to address the on-road performance and environmental drawbacks of full-frame structures by employing a dedicated aluminum monocoque construction for its flagship Range Rover models.



The Range Rover Sport, with its off-road capability nearly on par with the Range Rover, yet agile enough to handle winding roads with its fuel-efficient 3-liter V6 engine, offers a compelling value proposition for urban SUV buyers. While it concedes slightly to its larger sibling in terms of ride comfort at lower speeds and interior refinement, its attractive pricing more than compensates, demonstrating the company's ambition to grow it into a flagship model.

Could the Porsche Macan Be the Game Changer?

In terms of cost performance, Mercedes-Benz also added an attractive new grade to itsMercedes-Benz G-Class.



However, the newly established grade, theG 350 BlueTEC, largely retains its original, unadorned exterior, with minimal cosmetic additions like large tires or wide fenders. Paired with its understated status, the engine is a 3-liter V6 diesel. This combination offers both the substantial torque band and fuel efficiency that gasoline engines can't match, arguably embodying the G-Class's spirit of being able to drive anywhere, anytime.

Coupled with a price tag under 10 million yen, I personally believe this is the only G-Class to consider right now.



While the BMW X5 has also undergone a full model change, and the full-size SUV category seems to be in a lull in terms of new model cycles, the small and mid-size SUV segment is highly active. Among these, the model poised to be the game changer this year is likelyPorsche'sMacan.

While sharing its basic architecture with its sibling,Audi's“Q5”, its chassis, powertrain, and other mechanicals are the result of full Porsche engineering. This vehicle is not merely a smaller sibling to the Cayenne; its pricing also positions it perfectly to meet the needs of specialty models, including D to E segment station wagons.

Just as the911spawned models like theBoxsterandCayman, which are now evaluated on their own merits, it is highly intriguing to see if the Macan can possess a distinct appeal separate from the Cayenne.

Strongly Focused on City Use

SUVs even more compact than the Macan, in the B-C segment, represent a category with immense growth potential in the global automotive market. While Japanese manufacturers have historically led this segment, large manufacturers like Volkswagen and Ford, as well as the German premium trio, are increasingly showing interest.



While the robust construction of traditional SUVs lends them a distinct character and driving feel, this aspect is now more of a niche preference. For most people, SUVs in this class represent the best choice, offering the most versatile personal vehicle to expand their range of activities.