The Great Capitulation

It was only 20 years ago that the Porsche Cayenne shocked the automotive world. An SUV from the preeminent sports-car maker seemed wildly incongruous in 2002. Today it's easier to list the few automakers that don't offer one for sale than those that do.

- Mike Duff

Sure, there are exotic dream weavers, such as Pagani and Koenigsegg, that ignore the sales siren of the ute. But of brands that produce more than 500 cars a year globally, the only ones without a sport-utility either on sale or on the way are Chrysler (though it has made SUVs in the past; remember the Durango-based Aspen?) and fellow Stellantis subsidiaries Abarth and Lancia; Alpine (Renault's sports-car division); and McLaren and Morgan in the U.K.

While some automakers tried to hold back the tide, cold, green logic has driven the industry's transformation. Buyers clearly like a higher driving position more than they appreciate the dynamic benefits of a lower center of gravity, and that's as true for free spenders as misers. No marque has been