A sport utility vehicle or suburban utility vehicle (SUV) is a vehicle classified as a light truck, but operated as a family vehicle. They are similar to a large station wagon or estate car, usually equipped with four-wheel drive for on- or off-road capability.SUV is the abbreviation for Sport Utility Vehicle. Any vehicle that looks like a wagon but raised more than a regular sedan off the ground, is an SUV. It could be 2 wheel drive, 4 wheel drive, or all wheel drive.