When BMW got into "that" market, they termed the X5 as "Sports Activity Vehicle", to be different and keep them into the "Ultimate Driving Machine" orientation.
Take the profile of the modern "passenger/utility" vehicle, draw in a sedan roof/deck lid profile, and you end up with a very angular/soft curve front end with a squared-off rear section. not unlike some of the later K-car Chryslers and similar Cadillac DeVilles. Space efficiency, but with decreased "utility" (due to Honda-sized truck space, by observation). Some brands had a "pass-through" behind the rear seat fold-down armrest, to accommodate the length of their snow skis.
At the time that the Jeep Cherokee rose to popularity, there was a 20-something demographic of singles and married couples who were into an "active lifestyle", pre-kids. Their weekend were usually occupied with participation in sporting activities (including bike races/competition) that were away from where they lived. So a degree of comfort was needed for such travel, as this was their only vehicle. 4wd was needed for those who liked to get closer to nature, in camping activities. BOTH of which needed cargo space AND economy of operation. Can't rule out trips to Home Depot, either, for household projects/upgrades they could do themselves. So, as that social demographic expanded, Ford jumped into the foray with their Explorer (which also competed with the Chevy K-5 Blazer) and as an upgrade to the Ford Bronco. With the Explorer sales expanding with the growth of youth sports (i.e., soccer), which is probably where the "sports" part of things came from. Although the minivan was the ultimate "carry the whole gang" sort of vehicle, many males didn't like to drive them, back then.
Dodge, Chrysler's "performance division", kind of reacted to that with their Caravan GT models. Ground effects, allow wheels from a performance fwd sedan they also sold, Eagle GT tires, and a stiffer suspension calibration. Putting some masculinity into the mix that Ford or GM never did! With Plymouth having some of the same, but in a little lower profile.
Chrysler Corporation was always the best of the full-size (and smaller) station wagons (due to their factory rear a/c systems in the '60s, plus their "police car" toughness), then the "minivan" (shorter in height and more garageable than normal vans), in full-size passenger vans, and now in "passenger utility vehicles". Up to and including the seemingly invisible Dodge Durango SRT.
"And the beat goes on . . . "
CBODY67
