What were SUVs called before?

[Acsenray]

Long before becoming a Chrysler brand name, “caravan” was a generic term for a type of vehicle, specifically what in the United States is called a “camper” or a “motor home.”

[AHunter3]

Another one: all-terrain vehicle, or ATV

[EllisDee]

@AHunter3

Another one: all-terrain vehicle, or ATV

I disagree with that one. I’ve always associated ATVs with those little 3- and 4-wheel dirtbike-type vehicles that appeal to young guys.

In the 80s, I remember the main term was “four-by-four”, but I also heard “four-wheel-drive” and “offroad vehicle” a lot.

[ZebraShaSha]

Many believe that the birth of the SUV began as the “depot hack.” The depot hack was a vehicle that transported people (similar to today’s taxi/hack) and luggage from the train stations (depots). They were widely known as a carryalls or suburbans. Depot hacks were also believed to be responsible for the evolution of the modern station wagon and the longest running SUV model, the Suburban.

From here.

It seems that “depot hack” beats 'um all.

[enipla]

Many believe that the birth of the SUV began as the “depot hack.” The depot hack was a vehicle that transported people (similar to today’s taxi/hack) and luggage from the train stations (depots). They were widely known as a carryalls or suburbans. Depot hacks were also believed to be responsible for the evolution of the modern station wagon and the longest running SUV model, the Suburban.

Don’t forget buckboard. A Wagon used by farmers and ranchers when they went into town.

http://www.jubilate.freehomepage.com/Tutorials/buckboard.html
http://www.palouse.net/mcctwigg/buckboardkit.htm

[TheLoadedDog]

“Four Wheel Drive” is the universal term in Australia. I remember the term “four by four” used to be around too, but that tended to be used by the car companies themselves, not the average person in the street. I only heard “SUV” for the first time on the SDMB.

When I was very small, I remember them all being called “Jeeps”.

[Johnny_L.A]

[quote]
Land Rover is a manufacturer of SUV’s and not a type of SUV. I’m not sure Chrysler would take to having there Jeep refered to as a Land Rover.

[quote]

Perhaps not. But I’ve heard plenty of people refer to Land Rovers as “jeeps”.

[El_Kabong]

Another candidate for earliest SUV: the Dodge Power Wagon, based on the company’s WWII line of military light trucks and introduced in 1945; one year before the Willys, apparently and sold though '68. Both pickup and carryall versions were offered, and the presence of 4-wheel drive with a station wagon-style body, IMO, makes it the oldest direct ancestor of the modern SUV.

[Acsenray]

@Johnny L.A.

Perhaps not. But I’ve heard plenty of people refer to Land Rovers as “jeeps”.

And a lot of people refer to all Jeep-type vehicles as “jeeps.”

I know specifically about India, where people are always talking about police jeeps and military jeeps and private jeeps, but so far as I know Jeep doesn’t market there.

[Johnny_L.A]

but so far as I know Jeep doesn’t market there.

I know that they made the Mahindra, which is a CJ3B. (With all the changes in ownership of the makers of Jeep, I have no idea to whom they paid royalties.) I think they were still making them into the 1980s, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they were still being made.