WHICH MANUFACTURER pioneered the compact SUV segment? It’s an interesting question, but you won’t find agreement on the answer by talking to Toyota or Suzuki.
In a recent advertising campaign, Toyota has claimed that its RAV4 is “the original compact SUV”, a claim that Suzuki is vehemently countering.
“It’s one thing to make a lot of noise about being the original compact SUV; it’s another to actually prove it,” Suzuki Australia General Manager Tony Devers said.
Suzuki claims it was first; that it was responsible for starting the compact SUV segment with the release in 1988 of the original Vitara.
“Toyota showed a concept version of a compact SUV at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show, but the first RAV4 did not go on sale until 1994,” he said.
Suzuki backs its argument with its claim that Suzuki’s engineering expertise with small SUVs stretches back beyond the first Vitara.
“Development of the Suzuki 4×4 compact car program began in 1968 and resulted in the launch of the first generation Jimny in 1970," Mr Devers said.
"Its compact body featured design elements never before seen in a 4×4 vehicle of that size, including ladder frame, rigid axle suspension and dual range transfer case.”
Now we’d be the last to let the facts get in the way of a good stoush but the original ‘Jimny 360’ – the Suzuki LJ 10 – was based on a vehicle developed by a small struggling Japanese manufacturer called Hope.
Its revolutionary HopeStar ON360, with a 360cc two-stroke engine (of Mitsubishi origin), transfer case and ladder frame had been released in 1965. Suzuki bought the rights from Hope in 1968 and developed the LJ 10 off the tiny HopeStar.
Of course, a bit of biffo between competing manufacturers is all rather entertaining, but we do have one question.
What about the 1948 Jeepster?
The Jeepster was a small crossover Jeep built for the passenger market back when the RAV4, Vitara, and LJ10 were barely twinkles in their Japanese manufacturers’ eyes.
Speaking with TMR today, Toyota Australia’s Public Relations Manager, Mike Breen said: "Toyota has conveyed its thoughts on the matter and don’t have anymore to add".
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I would have thought that Subaru were the first in the mid to late 70’s
This is funny. Suzuki & Jeep would have been the first and two very good performers in being able to survive in the outback or 4WDing…. then comes Toyota but because Toyota is a big corporation - they marketed it well and people believe this from their marketing but don’t see Suzuki as an original pioneer in the 4WD market - Jeep would mainly be!
Subaru would have done the first AWD type vehicle for the general public not actually creating a Compact 4WD/SUV but more like a little ute or wagon….
Don’t forget Hummer!
Boldness doesn’t sit well with Toyota. They should stick to making boring cars for people with zero personality.
Toyota was manufacturing 4WDs for the US Government for the Korean war as far back as 1951. Suzuki started making its own 4WDs some 20 years later in 1970.
amen Trump… whether fact proves or not toyota would most likely have built the most dull compact SUVs, whether they were first or not it’s about how the market received them
Bit of an idiotic argument if you ask me, There is no proper definition of SUVs, as it means different things to different people…
There are quite a bit vehicles that claim to be the first SUV around, and depending on your interpretation of SUV, they can all be right. Be it the gaz-61 (1938) Jeep Willies, Lada Niva, Jeep Cherokee (XJ), Suzuki sierra, Rav4, etc…
Trump, judging by your comment, your a complete Tool box!
Tomas - how so? Toyota builds boring econoboxes for the masses. Their last attempts at sports cars (MR-S, Celica) have all been underdone.
The Scion cars are a bit more funky, but its telling at how much of a lead-weight to “interestingness” the Toyota brand is that the company felt the need to create a new brand.
The only Toyota in the current line-up that’s even remotely interesting is the iQ.
Tomas makes a good point that it all comes down to your definition of “SUV”.
Toyota has made plenty of interesting cars but like many Japanese manufacturers the majority of them are kept within the domestic market.
I’m a bit two-sided here; on the one hand Toyota are known for building mainstream cars with a quality /durability image; they still deserve respect for that.
But on the other hand you can’t forget cars like the MR2, Supra, or Celica GT-Four, and many car enthusiasts recognise Toyota’s efforts in producing these more highly focused road cars and lament their disappearance.
Toyota needs to return to the days of motorsport and start exporting exciting cars again, not “stick to building boring cars”. The way the FT-86 and Lexus LF-A are shaping up, their future is looking pretty good in that respect. But their history of rallying and racing proves beyond doubt that they’re more than just an econobox manufacturer.
I might sound like I’m a Toyota ambassador but I drive a Nissan GT-R. I just want to give credit where it’s due.
Cheers