Every brand's first SUV – and its newest

At the turn of the century, sport utility vehicles – more commonly known as SUVs – were just a small part of the car market.

Today, things could hardly be more different – they're everywhere you look. In fact, with the exception of a few specialised sports car manufacturers, almost every brand has at least one in its line-up.

Here we’re looking back at each brand's first step into the 4x4 or SUV market in the UK. Plus, we're looking at their newest offerings to see how far the sector has come.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio

We start with one of many brands on this list that probably wouldn't have dreamed of building an SUV when the term was first coined. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio arrived on the scene in 2016 as a stylish large SUV that was good to drive, although its interior had a rather low-rent feel.

Alfa Romeo Tonale

To complement the Stelvio, Alfa Romeo has just added the smaller Alfa Romeo Tonale to its line-up. Like the Stelvio this looks great and offers hatchback-like handling, plus it adds hybrid power to the mix. Unfortunately, it's also like its older sibling in that the quality of its interior falls short of the class leaders.

Aston Martin DBX

Aston Martin left a gap of more than a century between building its first car and entering the SUV market, but the wait was worthwhile. The Aston Martin DBX combines a fabulous V8 soundtrack with playful handling and a spacious interior, although you do have to put up with a firm ride.

Aston Martin DBX707

The DBX might be the only SUV Aston Martin has ever produced, but it recently spawned a more extreme variant – the Aston Martin DBX707. With 697bhp (or 707PS, hence the name), this performance SUV will complete the benchmark 0-62mph sprint in just 3.3sec. That’s supercar territory.

Audi Q7

Like the current Audi Q7, the original was closely related to the Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg of its day. It first went on sale in 2005, and was available with a raft of engine options, including a 6.0-litre diesel V12 (between 2008 and 2012). Interior space was a little disappointing for such a big car, but it had a settled high-speed ride and a very solidly built interior.

Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback

The brand's latest SUV, the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback, is smaller and sleeker than the Q7 and swaps petrol and diesel power for an electric motor. However, like that original car it's a comfortable choice for long journeys, and impresses with its classy interior.

Bentley Bentayga

Bentley's first and so far only SUV, the Bentley Bentayga, has been on sale since 2015, although it received plug-in hybrid power in 2018, and was further refreshed in 2020, when the looks were tweaked and the infotainment system was upgraded. The Bentayga is everything you'd expect a Bentley to be: refined, luxurious and eye-wateringly expensive.

BMW X5

BMW has been making SUVs for longer than you might think, with the first-generation BMW X5 (of four to date) debuting in 1999. By expertly treading the fine line between practicality, luxuriousness and performance, it set the template for many high-end SUVs that followed.

BMW X7

The BMW X7 isn't just the brand's newest SUV, it’s also its biggest yet. Originally launched in 2017, it was heavily revised in 2022, gaining a new look inside and out, plus the option of a 523bhp 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine. Well built, spacious and seriously comfortable, we reckon it's currently the best luxury SUV for big families.

Citroën C-Crosser

Citroën eased itself into the SUV market with the C-Crosser, which went on sale in 2007. It was essentially a rebadged second-generation Mitsubishi Outlander, and as a result it was a decent all-rounder; it rode well, and what the interior lacked in luxury it made up for in toughness.

Citroën e-C4X

The Citroën e-C4X is essentially a stretched version of the Citroën e-C4 electric SUV. It features a bigger boot, a redesigned rear end and a slightly longer range than its non-X counterpart – up to 224 miles – but you can expect to pay a little bit more money for it when it arrives later this year.

Cupra Ateca

This high-performance version of the Seat Ateca was the first car to be launched under the Cupra brand name when it arrived in 2018. Offering all of the practicality of the Seat, but with an extra splash of style and speed, the Cupra Ateca initially earned our maximum five-star rating.

Cupra UrbanRebel

Small SUVs are on the rise, and Cupra isn't planning to be left out of this trend. The recently revealed Cupra UrbanRebel – due to go on sale in 2025 – features sporty styling, underpinnings shared with the upcoming Volkswagen ID 2 X, and a futuristic interior.

Dacia Duster

Anyone who says that Romanian brand Dacia's first SUV was the Duster is correct, but if they mean the model introduced in 2012, they're wrong – the original Duster was actually launched way back in 1980. This rough-and-ready vehicle was sold briefly in the UK and used the mechanicals from the Renault 12.

Dacia Duster

The modern Duster was an instant hit with UK buyers, thanks to its low price and massive interior. And 10 years and one facelift later, there's still very little else which gets you quite so much space for your cash.

DS 7 Crossback

The DS 7 was originally launched in 2017 as the French brand's answer to the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Volvo XC40. And although it was inferior to those rivals in most respects, it was still chosen as Emmanuel Macron's company car.

DS 7

In addition to dropping the 'Crossback' part of its name, the revised DS 7 – which will go on sale towards the end of this year – gets sharper looks and a sporty plug-in hybrid variant with a 40-mile electric range.

Fiat Panda 4x4

Adding four-wheel drive to an existing model does not make it an SUV. However, there is a case for including the first-generation Fiat Panda 4x4 in this list, because it was surprisingly capable off-road; many bespoke SUVs on sale today would get stuck a long time before the Panda.

Fiat 500X

The Fiat 500X is the largest car the brand currently makes, and is built on the same underpinnings as the Jeep Renegade. It has an attractive interior and some people will be sold on it by the styling alone. However, there are plenty of similarly priced rivals that are more practical, better to drive and offer a higher level of crash protection.

Ford Maverick

In the US, Ford's SUV history begins with the 1966 Bronco, but its first UK model, the Maverick, didn't arrive until 1993. Essentially a rebadged Nissan Terrano II, it was distinctly agricultural – although no more so than its main rival, the Vauxhall Frontera.

Ford Puma

Taking the moniker of a popular coupé produced between 1997 and 2002, the Ford Puma is the high-riding equivalent of the Ford Fiesta. Brilliant to drive and surprisingly practical by small SUV standards, it’s a former What Car? Car of the Year and remains highly recommendable.

Honda CR-V

Honda first sold an SUV back in 1993, but that model – called the Passport – was really just an Isuzu Rodeo with different badging, and it never made it to the UK. On the other hand, the first-generation Honda CR-V did, and impressed with its practicality, agility and off-road capability.

Honda HR-V

The Honda HR-V name first appeared in 1999, but this latest version is radically different from those that came before it. With sleek styling, heaps of equipment and a high-tech hybrid system there's a lot to like. It's just a shame it's noisy and a bit tight in the back.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai's first SUV to be sold in the UK was the rugged Hyundai Santa Fe, which appeared in 2000 and quickly became popular with cost-conscious buyers. It's only recently that the Santa Fe has been able to challenge for leadership in its class, though, even winning our 2022 Large SUV of the Year award.

Hyundai Bayon

The latest SUV from Hyundai is the Hyundai Bayon, which happens to be its smallest one, too. Distinctive styling is paired with high levels of comfort and a low driving position, making it something of a curiosity in its class.

Jaguar F-Pace

Jaguar was for many years one of several manufacturers which could have been listed in a column headed ‘Will never build an SUV’. However, the company freed itself from those shackles in 2016 with the launch of the Jaguar F-Pace. Using bespoke underpinnings, it proved to be a bit of a mixed bag, with a well thought-out interior and excellent handling, but a firm ride and so-so reliability.

Jaguar I-Pace

Jaguar's latest SUV is also its first foray into the world of electric cars. The Jaguar I-Pace offers sci-fi looks, a luxurious interior and a good range between charges, so remains a very solid choice four years on from its initial debut.

The original Jeep, arguably the very first SUV of all, was built by both Ford and Willys for the US Army during World War II. In 1945, Willys went into production with the first civilian version, the CJ-2A. More than 200,000 examples were built.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has been around since 1992, but the newest version – arriving later this year – has the potential to be the best one yet. A plug-in hybrid variant will be on offer for the first time, with a fully electric model tipped to join the range in 2025.

Kia Sportage

Back in 1993, when the first-generation Kia Sportage debuted, the Korean firm was a very different company to the one we know today. At the time, the main reason for buying one of its cars was that they didn't cost very much. And that was also true of the Sportage, because it was noisy, poorly built and not very nice to drive.

Kia Niro EV

The Kia Niro EV has some big shoes to fill – it replaces the Kia e-Niro, which was the first electric car to win the overall What Car? Car of the Year Award. It might not be as groundbreaking as its predecessor, but with a good ride, fun handling and a long range, the Niro EV is a good all-rounder nonetheless.

Lamborghini LM002

Contrary to popular belief, the Lamborghini Urus is not the first SUV produced by the firm. That was the LM002, which was manufactured in small numbers from 1986 to 1993, and initially targeted at the US military.

Lamborghini Urus

Even most sports car brands can't be without an SUV. When the Lamborghini Urus arrived in 2018 to rival the Bentley Bentayga and Porsche Cayenne – both of which it shares parts with – it quickly became the firm’s best-selling car. It's comfortable, practical and, in true Lamborghini fashion, very fast.

Land Rover Series 1

The Land Rover Series I was among the earliest SUVs developed for civilian use. Ready for anything you could throw at them, the Series Land Rovers were offered in a variety of forms over the years, and were the only models produced by the brand until the introduction of the first-generation Range Rover in 1969.

Range Rover Sport

The Range Rover Sport has been a staple of the luxury SUV scene since 2005, and is a slightly cheaper and smaller alternative to the full-size Range Rover. The new third-generation model will go on sale in September, offering an electric range of up to 70 miles in plug-in hybrid form. A fully electric Range Rover Sport will follow in 2024.

Lexus RX 300

The first Lexus SUV to land on UK shores was the RX 300 in 1998. A rebadged version of the Toyota Harrier, it quickly became the luxury brand's best-selling car by a country mile, and with good reason – it was comfortable, sleek-looking and surprisingly capable off-road.

Lexus RX

The latest Lexus RX is a comfy cruiser with the option of either hybrid or plug-in hybrid power, which should result in lower fuel bills compared with a combustion engined car. It's well built inside, and quiet as you drive along, plus updates made in 2022 have extended the electric range of the plug-in hybrid model to an official 40 miles.

Maserati Levante

The Maserati Levante was the firm’s first production SUV when it went on sale in 2016, but the company had made its intention to join the segment clear well in advance – the Kubang SUV concept which preceded the Levante was unveiled way back in 2011. Although it predictably out-sells Maserati's sports cars and saloons, the Levante suffers from stodgy handling and a bumpy ride.

Maserati Grecale

Maserati had the same idea as Alfa Romeo when it came to creating a second SUV, introducing a smaller and cheaper model – in this case the Maserati Grecale – in the hope of attracting more buyers to the brand. We're yet to get behind the wheel of the Grecale, but it will initially be available with two petrol engines offering up to 523bhp, with a fully electric model joining the line-up in 2023.

Mazda Tribute

The first SUV from Mazda which you could buy in this country was the Tribute of 2000. A joint venture with Ford, it was a spectacular flop, with just 900 examples sold here. Don't go thinking that it was an overlooked gem, either, because the Tribute was let down by a rough ride.

Mazda CX-60

As well as being the firm's newest SUV, the Mazda CX-60 marks its first go at producing a plug-in hybrid, with this version capable of taking you up to 39 miles on a charge according to official figures. That's not as far as some rivals can go and means the CX-60 sits in a higher company car tax band, but strengths include a smart interior, an intuitive infotainment system and sharp handling.

Mercedes G-Wagen

The SUV now known as the Mercedes G-Class was originally called the G-Wagen, which is short for Geländewagen, or off-road vehicle. Launched in 1979, it was a serious, old-school 4x4, with angular styling and plenty of military customers.

Mercedes EQS SUV

Based on the same underpinnings as the EQS luxury limousine, the EQS SUV is the most luxurious electric SUV ever made by Mercedes. It's capable of travelling for up to 410 miles between charges – that's enough for a round trip from London to Manchester and back – and offers seating for up to seven people inside. It's an expensive choice, though, with prices starting from £129,170.

MG GS

British brand MG returned from the dead under Chinese ownership with the launch of the MG 6 saloon in 2013, but it took another two years for it to launch its first SUV, the MG GS. This felt heavy to drive, but was practical and well priced.

MG ZS

MG's smallest SUV is also its newest, with the MG ZS having undergone a comprehensive facelift in 2022. The result is a family SUV with good rear seat space, and the reassurance of a long seven-year warranty should anything go wrong. A poor safety rating lets it down, however, and performance is only so-so.

Mini Countryman

The Mini Countryman, which was launched in 2010, remains on sale in facelifted form, offering a good combination of space, style and desirability. Its beautifully finished interior and excellent infotainment system are particular highlights. Just bear in mind that the rival Ford Puma is a lot more fun to drive, while the Volkswagen T-Roc is quieter and comfier.

Mini Aceman

Not to be confused with the discontinued Mini Paceman coupé, the new Mini Aceman will be the company's first electric SUV when it hits the road in 2024. Chunky styling and a minimalist interior should help it to appeal to the fashion conscious, and it's expected to be powered by a single electric motor with a 70kWh battery, giving a range of around 275 miles.

Nissan Patrol

The Nissan Patrol is one of the world's oldest SUV nameplates. The first model, introduced in 1951, bore something of a resemblance to the Willys Jeep, but by the 1980 launch of the third-generation model in the UK the Japanese brand had gone its own way on styling.

Nissan Ariya

The Nissan Ariya is the brand's first electric SUV, and gets a lot of things right: it’s roomy for passengers, well built and surprisingly fun to drive. However, the news isn't all good, because the ride can get choppy at low speeds and the boot is relatively small.

Peugeot 4007

Like the Citroën C-Crosser mentioned earlier, the Peugeot 4007 was a second-generation Mitsubishi Outlander with a different badge and a smaller range of engines. The 4007 was launched in 2007, but was discontinued in 2012.

Peugeot 5008

Updated in 2021, the Peugeot 5008 is the brand's latest – and greatest – SUV, offering seating for seven, a stylish and upmarket interior and low running costs. It has our maximum five-star rating and is well worth considering.

Porsche Cayenne

When the original Porsche Cayenne went on sale in 2002, many observers thought that Porsche had made a mistake in deviating so far from its sports car traditions. However, it was actually a huge hit, due in part to its comfortable ride and great handling.

Porsche Cayenne Coupé

The Porsche Cayenne is still a staple of the luxury SUV market 20 years after its launch, with a sleek coupé version (simply called the Porsche Cayenne Coupé) being launched in 2019. What it lacks in rear head room, it makes up for in the styling department – and it's as good to drive as it is to look at.

Renault Scenic RX4

The Renault Megane hatchback was launched in 1995, and two years later it was used as the basis for the Renault Scenic MPV. Then in 2000, Renault introduced the Scenic RX4, which had part-time four-wheel drive, tough-looking plastic body cladding and a raised ride height. Renault did not replace it when the Scenic moved into its second generation in 2003, though.

Renault Austral

This Renault Kadjar-replacing SUV will hit UK roads next year, bringing sleek looks and a comprehensive list of standard kit. Two regular hybrids and one mild-hybrid model will be available, helping to lower your fuel bills, with the former officially capable of 61.4mpg.

Rolls-Royce Cullinan

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is the most luxurious SUV on sale, offering a twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre V12 engine, a beautifully finished interior and unmatched refinement. But then given that it costs from almost £300,000 you'd expect nothing less.

Seat Ateca

More than 50 years after Seat was founded, the firm created its first SUV, the Seat Ateca, in 2016. It immediately became one of our favourites in its class, being good to drive and practical, with a price tag which undercut many rivals.

Seat Tarraco

Fancy something a little bigger than the Ateca? Then the Seat Tarraco should be right up your street. It’s one of the better large SUVs to drive, comes generously equipped and has a very good safety rating. Just bear in mind that it's pretty cramped in the third row.

Skoda Yeti

During a particularly inventive period in the first decade of the 21st century, Skoda came up first with the Roomster compact MPV and then with its first SUV, the Skoda Yeti. Launched in 2009, and based on underpinnings used widely by Audi, Seat, Volkswagen and Skoda itself, the Yeti was both practical and charming. By the time it was replaced by the larger Skoda Karoq in 2017, it was definitely showing its age, but it had long since built up an enthusiastic group of satisfied owners who were sorry to see it go.

Skoda Enyaq Coupé

A criticism often thrown at electric cars is that they’re financially out of reach for most people – something that the very reasonably priced Skoda Enyaq addresses. The Skoda Enyaq Coupé, meanwhile, mixes in some extra style and the option of a hot vRS version.

Smart #1

After years of it focusing on small cars, from the tiny Smart Fortwo to the only slightly larger Smart Forfour, there's now a Smart SUV. We're still to drive it, but we know it features a tech-filled interior, a huge number of safety features and pure electric power.

Ssangyong Musso

The complicated history of Ssangyong began with various South Korean companies building Jeeps under licence. After some merging and renaming, Ssangyong created its first bespoke SUV, the Musso, in collaboration with Mercedes. It sold well enough that the Musso name remains in use, albeit on a pick-up truck rather than an SUV.

Ssangyong Rexton

The Ssangyong Rexton is a seven-seat giant that can probably be seen from space. With four-wheel drive and a towing capacity of 3500kg, it’s a good workhorse, but it's too agricultural and expensive to make sense for most SUV buyers.

Subaru Forester

Discounting the various Outback models, which are really estate cars with an increased ride height and four-wheel drive, the first proper Subaru SUV was the Forester, launched in 1997. It was based on the contemporary Subaru Impreza saloon and shared that car's soft but well controlled ride.

Subaru Solterra

The Subaru Solterra isn’t just the firm’s newest SUV, it’s also its first go at making an electric car. The styling is futuristic and the technology underneath it – developed alongside Toyota – is promising, but will it be a class leader? We'll be getting behind the wheel of it soon.

Suzuki LJ10

The Hope Motor Company briefly produced a tiny and very basic off-roader. However, unable to put it into full production, it sold the rights to Suzuki, who thoroughly re-engineered the vehicle and put in one of its own engines. The resulting machine, called the LJ10, would go on to evolve into the Suzuki Jimny.

Suzuki S-Cross

The Suzuki S-Cross is a family SUV, meaning it's the brand's answer to the hugely popular Nissan Qashqai. With a gutsy and efficient engine, a generous list of standard kit and a good-sized boot, it certainly has its strengths. It’s a shame, though, that the infotainment system is slow, and the interior quality uninspiring.

Tesla Model X

The Tesla Model X was one of the first electric SUVs to break through to the mass market, and was notable for being hugely fast and having gullwing rear doors. It's currently off sale, but and an upgraded version is due to arrive later this year.

Tesla Model Y

Essentially a raised version of the ultra-popular Tesla Model 3 saloon, the Tesla Model Y is both fast and practical. It also offers a good range and gives you access to the brand's superb Supercharger network, but you have to put up with an unsettled ride.

Toyota Land Cruiser

Along with the Nissan Patrol, the Toyota Land Cruiser bears one of Japan's oldest SUV names. It was applied for the first time in 1954 to the vehicle previously known as the BJ. This had been developed for use by the Japanese National Police Reserve, and combined truck underpinnings, a 3.4-litre six-cylinder engine previously used in Toyota saloons, and a new four-wheel drive system to create an almost unstoppable off-road hero.

Toyota bZ4X

Toyota’s first modern electric car shares its technology with the aforementioned Subaru Solterra, and it’s even clothed in a fairly similar body. Off-road capability and huge rear leg room are bonuses, although it doesn't charge as quickly as some rivals.

Vauxhall Frontera

The first-generation Vauxhall Frontera was introduced in 1991, and was available in both three-door and five-door forms. It was widely – and not unreasonably – criticised for being poor to drive, but it still sold in big enough numbers to remain in showrooms until 2003.

Vauxhall Grandland

The Vauxhall Grandland is competitively priced, and is well equipped and spacious enough for most families. However, it's hard to ignore the fractionally cheaper Skoda Karoq or more practical Kia Sportage – both of which have nicer interiors and are sharper to drive.

Volkswagen Touareg

The Touraeg was Volkswagen's version of an SUV jointly developed by itself and Porsche. It was designed with a focus on smoothness, and as a result it's one of the most comfortable SUVs from the time period. It's a capable off-roader too.

Volkswagen ID 5

A coupé version of the Volkswagen ID 4 electric SUV, the Volkswagen ID 5 still features a sizable boot, despite its sloping rear window. It has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, but is let down by a poor infotainment system and a high price.

Volvo XC90

News that Volvo was planning to launch its first SUV caused great excitement in the early years of the 21st century, and this original Volvo XC90 was very well received. Based on underpinnings otherwise used only for saloons and estate cars, it offered a fine mix of practicality and comfort.

Volvo EX90

Destined to eventually replace today's XC90 luxury SUV, the EX90 is an all-electric SUV with seating for seven on board and a range of up to 379 miles between charges. Other highlights include an infotainment system developed by Google, and the option to use your smartphone as a car key to unlock its doors.

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