Not all SUVs are built the same way. Some are essentially passenger cars with taller ride heights, while others are engineered to tackle rocky trails, tow heavy trailers, and withstand years of demanding use. The biggest difference often comes down to how their bodies are attached to their frames.
Body-on-frame construction is an old-school engineering approach that remains popular among serious off-road SUVs and pickup trucks. While much of the automotive industry has moved toward lighter unibody designs, automakers continue to rely on separate chassis frames for vehicles expected to handle demanding terrain.