Toyota RAV4
Initially conceived in the early 1990s, the RAV4 was the first official crossover vehicle released by an automaker. The car-based design of the RAV4 was unlike a traditional off-road, which gave it a much better ride than other SUVs on the market. The hatchback design and high ground clearance helped the RAV4 compare to other off-roaders on the market (via Cars Guide).
The bulletproof reliability and affordable price tag slotted the RAV4 below the 4Runner in the lineup. Consumers liked the fact that the RAV4 was affordable and rugged. Without the RAV4, we wouldn’t have the vibrant crossover segment that we have today. The RAV4 paved the way for other compact SUVs to make their way into the fray.