{"id":48822,"date":"2021-06-21T16:01:06","date_gmt":"2021-06-21T20:01:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/motor-junkie.com\/?p=48822"},"modified":"2022-04-10T06:06:58","modified_gmt":"2022-04-10T10:06:58","slug":"30-obscure-suv-models-drivers-forgot-existed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/30-obscure-suv-models-drivers-forgot-existed\/48822\/","title":{"rendered":"30 Obscure SUV Models Drivers Forgot Existed"},"content":{"rendered":"
Over the years, the sport utility vehicle has transformed itself from a truck-like beast to the gas-efficient crossover vehicles we see dominating the road today. Today’s SUVs are a direct descendant of the original Jeep and Chevrolet models, but there are also several forgotten SUV models that helped pave the way for the cars of today.<\/p>\n
It wasn’t always easy, of course, and many SUVs failed to gain a significant market share. We looked back at 30 obscure SUVs from past decades. Read on as we take a look at these forgotten relics<\/a> of a different era in automotive design.<\/p>\n At the dawn of the new millennium, the first SUV boom hit. The Pontiac Aztek was a concept car from that era. GM thought it could target a new group of buyers who were “outdoorsy.” However, its design was highly polarizing and buyers weren’t going for it.<\/p>\n Even a tie-in with hit TV show ‘Dark Angel’ didn’t do anything to bolster sales. Yes, even Jessica Alba couldn’t help this lackluster Pontiac. Surprisingly, the Aztek experienced a resurgence thanks to a hit TV show called ‘Breaking Bad.’ All of a sudden, the Aztek was back in style and the resale value of these things has soured ever since.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ford has tried to save the Mercury brand from extinction time and time again. The Mariner was targeted toward young working women who wanted something capable and luxurious. While the Mariner was based on the Ford Escape, it had its own unique set of features.<\/p>\n A lot of aspects of the Mariner were borrowed from the larger Lincoln Navigator, but you still couldn’t hide the fact that it was an Escape. Ford also offered a fully-loaded Escape that was thousands less than the Mariner, which didn’t help its sales.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The original Acura SUV didn’t have any Honda engineering at all; it was an Isuzu Trooper with Acura badges. Honda had a partnership with Isuzu during the q990s and the two companies shared a couple models. The SLX didn’t have anything to differentiate it from the Trooper other than an Acura badge and a higher price tag.<\/p>\n It was somewhat capable off-road thanks to the Trooper underpinnings. As far as luxury, the SLX did not deliver. The rough ride and questionable safety ratings didn’t do anything to entice buyers into Acura showrooms and the model was quickly discontinued.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The GMC Jimmy was sold in various body styles over its lifespan and finished its run as a Chevy Blazer clone. But there was a special edition of the car that was known as the “Diamond Edition” and it was truly a diamond in the rough. Although the standard Jimmy was dated, the Diamond Edition was a step above.<\/p>\n A diamond-studded interior was just the tip of the iceberg. The exterior was also upgraded with fender flares and off-road lighting. A dark paint scheme with silver accents added to the look as well as a new set of alloy wheels. The Diamond Edition of the Jimmy was extremely rare and finding one is a real treat, especially with low mileage.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By the early 2000s, the SUV industry was a hot segment of the automotive industry. The Ascender was a clone of the Chevrolet Trailblazer and GMC Envoy. Isuzu didn’t have any new models on the market and the brand needed one, thus GM loaned the company a platform in exchange for the design of the Colorado\/Canyon models.<\/p>\n There was nothing to differentiate the Ascender from other models aside from its large chrome grille. The retail price for the Ascender was a tad bit less than a comparable TrailBlazer, but that didn’t help sales. Isuzu folded in America shortly after the Ascender was discontinued from the market.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Isuzu brand was the only automotive company in the 1990s that sold nothing but SUV and pickup truck models. By the mid-1990s the Rodeo and Trooper were dominating the market. The Isuzu Rodeo was one of the best-selling SUVs on the market for a long period.<\/p>\n But Isuzu got comfortable with their position and stopped innovating. By the 2000s the Rodeo was outdated. The Rodeo is still popular among enthusiasts for its body on frame design, which is more than durable enough off-road. Still, modern SUV buyers tend to forget how much of a role Isuzu played in the popularity of the original SUV craze.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The original Honda Passport was nothing more than a badge-engineered Isuzu Rodeo, but thanks to the Honda name, sales were phenomenal from the gate. Honda eventually replaced the Passport with the original Honda Pilot but has since revived the nameplate.<\/p>\n Although the original Passport was a carbon copy of the Rodeo, the SUV had a lot of perks. The Honda badge got it a lot of credibility and the larger dealership network meant servicing one was easier than a Rodeo. Nowadays, you can find a clean Honda Passport a lot easier than you can find a used Rodeo.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ford has no problem badge engineering a car many times over. That’s just what the blue oval did with the Aviator. Although most of the body was shared with the Ford Explorer, the Aviator had some pretty unique features. The 32-valve 4.6 L V8 that came standard in the Aviator was the same engine that Ford used in the Mustang Mach-1 performance car.<\/p>\n Enthusiasts tend to forget about the Aviator, but the SUV does have a cult-like following of loyal owners. The Aviator was in every sense of the word a miniature Lincoln Navigator, boasting a fair amount of luxury and refinement for its time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The two-door SUVs of the 1970s and 1980s were an early incarnation of what was to come for the automotive business. Between the Ford Bronco and Dodge Ram Charger<\/a>, there were plenty of different models to choose from. But by the ’90s, consumer tastes had changed and the GM full-size SUV trio had the Tahoe and the Yukon to choose from. These two models didn’t have the removable top of yesteryear and styling was less extreme.<\/p>\n The Yukon GT was a special edition of the Yukon two-door that had body-colored bumpers and a special set of wheels. Although performance wasn’t much better than the standard version, this was more of an appearance package than anything. The value of these monstrous two-door SUV models has grown tremendously in the last decade as they became collector’s items.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Land Rover Defender 90 was a fairly popular two-door SUV during the 1990s but the model wasn’t sold in America. However, as time has gone on, thousands of these Defender 90 models have appeared on American roads. Land Rover was working on changing its reputation during this period and the Defender 90 had a lot of unique features.<\/p>\n Only true enthusiasts will remember the Defender 90 as it exhibited some of the best traits Land Rover had to offer. The styling was great and the functionality was what you’d expect out of something in this price range. Plus, the Defender 90 had the removable top that so many enthusiasts desire in the Jeep community.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Introduced in 1996, the TJ was the first of the “modern” Wrangler models that we have today. The model had a lot of new features like a coil-spring suspension, which translated to a smoother ride. The interesting thing about the Wrangler TJ was the fact that it was one of the last Jeeps to utilize AMC-derived parts.<\/p>\n The Wrangler TJ ended up being one of the most popular Wrangler models of all time from a sales standpoint. Unfortunately, drivers<\/a> tend to forget about the original 1996 model and go for the newer editions of the Jeep. Few SUV models have managed to become as iconic as the Wrangler did and the original 1996 TJ was a step above the rest.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The same goes for the original Cherokee XJ, which is highly coveted among enthusiasts. Modern drivers have forgotten that this was the SUV that changed everything and set the SUV industry in motion. The Cherokee was a lot smaller in size than the full-size offerings that were on the market at the time, and it offered better fuel efficiency. With that said, the Cherokee was also the last-ditch effort by AMC to save the company, and the car that influenced Chrysler’s purchase of AMC.<\/p>\n The Cherokee is an iconic piece of off-roading heritage, but modern drivers<\/a> have forgotten about this gem. Instead of moving toward the crossover craze that has swept through the automotive industry<\/a>, but the Cherokee XJ is still a capable vehicle. If you can find one with a low mileage you’ll be in for something that’s both roomy and well-appointed for its period.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Toyota<\/a> RAV4 changed the game in the automotive industry, introducing the world to the compact SUV that was refined. Before the RAV4, there was the Geo Tracker, but the Toyota offering was different. It incorporated luxury and a car-like ride drivers went crazy for, on top of modern styling. The two-door offered a removable top, almost going hand in hand to create a tiny version of the popular 4Runner.<\/p>\n Drivers tend to forget that at one time Toyota offered a two-door variant of the RAV4, one that included a removable top, no less. The two-door RAV4 has become a sort of collector’s item and is not easy to find. The hardtop model was discontinued in 1999. If you want a capable compact UTE that you can have fun with, the two-door RAV4 is a rarity worth seeking out.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Another SUV that got forgotten in the mix is the Mitsubishi Montero. The Montero was a Mitsubishi SUV offering for most of the 1980s and ’90s and was quite capable. The large, upright body and high ground clearance of the Montero made it universally accepted by enthusiasts and soccer moms alike. By the turn of the decade, the brand tried to position the Montero as more of a luxury SUV and sales tanked.<\/p>\n The original Montero was also available in a two-door version, which has become a likable choice amount enthusiasts. The styling of the SUV was something that makes it timeless and still popular today. Ordinary drivers have forgotten the Montero and moved onto crossover models, but the Montero was at one time one of the most popular UTES on the road.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Dodge Raider was created in a partnership between Chrysler and Mitsubishi motors, the fruits of which brought us the Dodge Stealth as well. If the Raider looks familiar, that’s because it was a two-door Mitsubishi Montero. The SUV didn’t sell very well and the nameplate was quickly scrapped in favor of the company purchasing AMC and the Jeep Wrangler line.<\/p>\n Still, the Raider has garnered a loyal following among enthusiasts for its capable off-road demeanor and easy work on the design. Dodge fans are quick to point out that this wasn’t an American-made SUV, but its off-road capability cannot be denied. Recently, interest has begun to spark in the Raider as full-fledged SUV models become harder to come by.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Driving a Toyota nowadays is almost like a status symbol, but back in the 1990s, a Toyota was an affordable automobile. The 4Runner has always been one of the most capable models on the road<\/a> when it comes to reliability and design. The durability of the 4Runner makes it the first choice for enthusiasts who want something easy to modify and fun to drive.<\/p>\n The third generation of the 4Runner which was sold throughout the 1990s is one of the best examples of the truck. The engine is very reliable and the maintenance<\/a> is seemingly carefree if you can get one that was well maintained over its life. The main problem with the 4Runners of this generation comes in the form of frame rusting, so keep an eye out for that.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Isuzu brand in America was among the most popular vehicle makers of the 1990s. As the SUV boom kicked off, the Trooper was at the forefront in popularity. Isuzu’s 1990s models are both luxurious and very capable off-road which has made them a focal point for collectors. The very rare two-door models have a shorter wheelbase and are a lot easier to take off-road, but the four-door is still a great choice as well.<\/p>\n The Trooper was marred by the bad press that surrounded the vehicle over roll-over accidents. If you are willing to accept the fact that they can tip over, the Trooper is an excellent used SUV. The resale value on them has remained fairly low because they aren’t on most drivers’ radar.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By the start of the 2000s, Isuzu was on the decline and the company needed a way to garner interest. The VehiCROSS was developed to drive consumers into showrooms to see other models. It was never meant to be the hallmark of the Isuzu brand, which is why the SUV seems more like a concept than anything.<\/p>\n30: Pontiac Aztek<\/h2>\n
29: Mercury Mariner<\/h2>\n
28: Acura SLX<\/h2>\n
27: GMC Jimmy Diamond Edition<\/h2>\n
26: Isuzu Ascender<\/h2>\n
25: Isuzu Rodeo<\/h2>\n
24: Honda Passport<\/h2>\n
23: Lincoln Aviator<\/h2>\n
22: GMC Yukon GT<\/h2>\n
21: Land Rover Defender 90<\/h2>\n
20: 1996 Jeep Wrangler TJ<\/h2>\n
19: Jeep Cherokee XJ<\/h2>\n
18: 1995 Toyota RAV4 Two-Door<\/h2>\n
17: Mitsubishi Montero<\/h2>\n
16: Dodge Raider<\/h2>\n
15: Third Generation Toyota 4Runner<\/h2>\n
14: Isuzu Trooper<\/h2>\n
13: Isuzu VehiCROSS<\/h2>\n