Since you say it was not known as an SUV at the time (which is correct) can it be called an SUV now? SUV is a phrase that was invented for 4x4s that were also designed to carry passengers better (more space and more comfort) than a really rugged 4x4 (like this Jeep). And the Willys Jeep was designed for military use, for function not comfort, whereas many modern SUVs are more orientated to comfort more than offroad ability. Even if the original SUVs were really basic (wikipedia counts the classic Land Rover and Toyota Land Cruiser as early SUVs), the kind of the vehicle that the SUV has envolved into is just not the same thing as something like the Willys Jeep. So the classic Jeep is not an SUV, it should be called an offroader or 4x4.