Son of Samurai: The Jimny (luxury, AWD, CR-V, MPG) - Automotive -Sports cars, sedans, coupes, SUVs, trucks, motorcycles, tickets, dealers, repairs, gasoline, drivers... - Page 3 - City-Data Forum

turf3 · 06-21-2018, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kapikap

sidekick, the first true small SUV that others try to be.

Sorry bud, the first small SUV as far as I know was the original Ford Bronco. Although you could make a case for the International Scout (seems a little big, though) or the Jeepster (if you're willing to accept a soft top).

atlguy44 · 06-21-2018, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turf3

Sorry bud, the first small SUV as far as I know was the original Ford Bronco. Although you could make a case for the International Scout (seems a little big, though) or the Jeepster (if you're willing to accept a soft top).

Weren't they larger than the Samurai? The new Jimny is about the size of an original 3 door Rav4 (Generation 1). They handle really well.

SoHoVe · 06-21-2018, 08:02 AM

I prefer boxy styling on SUVs and pickups, in my opinion it's an enduring and appropriate look. Samurai's on the road even today don't look particularly dated.

atlguy44 · 06-21-2018, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoHoVe

I prefer boxy styling on SUVs and pickups, in my opinion it's an enduring and appropriate look. Samurai's on the road even today don't look particularly dated.

Agree! The original Samurai was based on the Land Rover Defender. It's said that Suzuki painstakingly engineered and shrank every part/measurement to come up with the original model.

Arktikos · 06-21-2018, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atlguy44

Weren't they larger than the Samurai? The new Jimny is about the size of an original 3 door Rav4 (Generation 1). They handle really well.

Everything is larger than a Samurai.

What's the issue with some vehicle being "too large" to be an SUV anyway? "large vehicle" and "SUV" are practically synonymous now.

My vote is for the Scout being first SUV. Its 100 inch wheelbase is downright small by today's standards.

atlguy44 · 06-21-2018, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blind Cleric

Everything is larger than a Samurai.

What's the issue with some vehicle being "too large" to be an SUV anyway? "large vehicle" and "SUV" are practically synonymous now.

My vote is for the Scout being first SUV. Its 100 inch wheelbase is downright small by today's standards.

Wasn't the Land Rover model made before the Scout? Of course, all were based on the WW2 jeep!

Arktikos · 06-21-2018, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atlguy44

Wasn't the Land Rover model made before the Scout? Of course, all were based on the WW2 jeep!

Good point. When did they come to US? I'm not sure the real short CJ5 Jeeps count as SUVs, but they predated Scouts too.

atlguy44 · 06-21-2018, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blind Cleric

Good point. When did they come to US? I'm not sure the real short CJ5 Jeeps count as SUVs, but they predated Scouts too.

1993 but the Range Rover was available from 1987. I really hope they revitalize the small SUV market. There are some nice models available in other countries, and made by auto companies that are here already.

scorpio516 · 06-21-2018, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wutitiz

It is my understanding that the Kei-class vehicles are not street legal in the US.

Not explicitly. But no company wants to go through the process of making them legal.

The Subaru 360 was sold here back in the 60s, and that was a Kei car (then the displacement limit was 360cc).

With current EPA and NHSTA rules, every Kei car built before 6/21/1993 can be street legal in the USA

southernnaturelover · 06-21-2018, 01:05 PM

It’ll never come to the US with only a 4 speed automatic, the “expert” reviewers would tear it apart. Anything less than 8 speeds simply won’t do nowadays.