There are many friends who still can’t tell the difference between SUV and ORV. Today I will give you a popular science.
SUV Highlander and ORV Prado
SUV, the full name of Sports Utility Vehicle, is a multi-functional sports vehicle, but now it has completely become an upgraded version of the car in the shape of an off-road vehicle; ORV, the full name of Off Road Vehicle, is a model specially designed for off-road.
how to distinguish
Body structure
The ORV uses a non-load-bearing body, while the SUV uses a load-bearing body. To put it simply, ORV can still drive normally after removing all the body, while SUV cannot be removed because the body is the installation base of the major assemblies!
The non-load-bearing body can provide strong rigidity for the vehicle due to the existence of the beam, and the vehicle will have better torsion resistance in off-road conditions, which can protect the safety of the occupants and the vehicle to the greatest extent; the load-bearing body has a low center of gravity, The advantages of low cost and low energy consumption are widely adopted by cars, and vehicles have higher comfort, economy and maneuverability than non-carrying vehicles.
four-wheel drive system
Although many SUVs are now equipped with four-wheel drive systems, there are still many gaps compared with ORVs.
In addition to the regular gear lever, the ORV will also have a high and low gear lever.
Standard four-wheel drive: ORV will be equipped with a four-wheel drive system as standard no matter what beggar’s version or the top version (there is a difference between time-sharing and full-time at most); while SUVs either have no four-wheel drive in all series, or only appear in high-end models.
Torque amplification: Even with the standard four-wheel drive, ORV still has more powerful configurations than SUVs. ORV requires a torque amplification function (high and low gears) for the vehicle to get out of trouble and climb.
Mercedes-Benz G front, middle and rear three locks
Hard-connected differential lock: ORVs must have a hard-coupled center differential at the very least. Some high-end models are even equipped with three front, middle and rear locks, while SUVs are equipped with at most one soft (silicon oil viscous coupling type, etc.) center differential.
suspension system
SUV generally adopts four-wheel independent suspension to enhance handling and comfort, while ORV adopts front and rear integral axles or front independent suspension and rear integral axle layout.
engine power
SUVs tend to use high-revving engines, with high speed, quietness and economy as their main considerations; while ORVs prefer low-revving, high-torque engines, providing sufficient power is their main consideration.
Passability
Generally, when talking about passability, the indicators that everyone pays attention to are the minimum ground clearance. In fact, passability is not simple, it is a combined effect formed by approach angle, departure angle, pass angle and minimum ground clearance. To put it simply, when an SUV and an ORV with the same minimum ground clearance are approaching the same slope, it is likely that the front bumper will rub against the ground before the wheels of the SUV touch the slope.
Toyota Prado
Applicable scene
SUV is suitable for roads and simple non-paved roads in some suburbs; ORV is suitable for roads, sandy land, mountains, swamps, etc.
Representative models
SUV, Audi Q5, Porsche Cayenne, Honda CRV, Toyota Highlander, etc.; ORV, Wrangler, Toyota Prado, Mercedes-Benz G, etc.
one sentence summary
Where an SUV can go, an off-road vehicle can go. Where SUVs can go, SUVs cannot return.
Photo source: Unlimited Test Drive.
