Utility vehicle

An armored utility vehicle used in war

A military light utility vehicle also called a jeep (here: soviet GAZ-69)

A utility vehicle is a vehicle, generally motorized, that is designed to carry out a specific task with more efficacy than a general-purpose vehicle.^[1] It commonly refers to a truck with low sides.^[2] A jeep is a type of light utility vehicle, originally used by the military, with four-wheel drive for travelling over rough terrain.^[3]

Types of utility vehicles

Armored Utility Vehicle

This type of vehicle is mainly used by military and also called as military utility vehicle. It mainly consists of vehicles like military tanks, trucks, etc.

Sport Utility Vehicle

Traditionally, these are vehicles similar to a station wagon but they are built on a light-truck chassis and equipped with four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive amongst other off-road hardware. Their primary purpose is to display superior off-road and towing capabilities, teamed with higher seating capacity.

Multi Utility Vehicle

These are larger vehicles which can tackle a wide range of applications. They typically allow easy conversion between multiple combinations of passenger and luggage capacity.

Crossover Utility Vehicle

Station wagons based on a car chassis, but built to resemble sport utility vehicles. They have limited off-road capability but sportier on-road behavior than SUVs. May also be referred to as a "Sports Activity Vehicle", as is the case with BMW's X-range of vehicles.

Light equipment

Kawasaki Mule used for snow removal

Vehicles like the Kawasaki MULE in which a flat bed is added to an all terrain vehicle. Generally used as a maintenance vehicle.

Coupé utility or Tray utility vehicle

Vehicles featuring a coupe passenger compartment with an attached cargo bed. All-steel-bodied utility vehicles, more commonly called utes, were invented in Australia.

Sport utility truck, Utility Truck or Pickup truck

Utility trucks, (known as pickup trucks in the US) are similar to Coupé utilities. The main difference being that they are either built specifically for purpose or based upon Sports utility vehicles rather than being produced by modifying existing passenger vehicles.

Utility Terrain Vehicle

A type of small vehicle like an ATV (all-terrain vehicle) but with more truck-like features for working instead of recreation.

References

1. Patent application: Utility vehicle US 5094313 A, retrieved 13 February 2016
2. Oxford Dictionaries, Oxford University Press, retrieved 13 February 2016
3. Harrap's essential English Dictionary, Allied Publishers Pvt Limited, 1996, ISBN 9788186062050