At What Point Did SUVs Become Luxury Cars?

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The SUV makes sense as a luxury car—it’s big, it shows you have money to burn (at least on gas), and it has room for all of your squash rackets—but when, exactly, did the buying public of the world figure this out?

Above is a picture of a 1986 Jeep Grand Wagoneer parked outside the St. Regis hotel. The St. Regis is not a location that requires the use of an all-wheel drive Jeep for one to reach its front door. Whoever this ad was targeted to was very much the kind of no-dirt SUV buyer we know today.

When, then, can we start tracing the roots of luxury truckishness? Your thoughts and experiences and citations on the question are welcome below.

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Photo Credit: Jeep


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