SUVs are one of the most popular choices of vehicle among American drivers today. Once almost exclusively seen in an agricultural, military, or off-roading context, they are now frequently used as family haulers thanks to their practicality and versatility. This major change in the role SUVs occupy on the market, however, has also had an impact on their design. More practical four-door models are now the norm, while two-door SUVs, once more common, are now in danger of becoming extinct.Just three SUV models are now available on the market with a two-door body style: the Jeep Wrangler, the Ford Bronco, and the short-wheelbase “90” version of the Land Rover Defender. Out of these three, the Defender is an even bigger rarity for a different reason: it is the only model on the market that offers two doors and a V8 engine under the hood.V8 engines are another feature that has become much less common on the automotive market, as electrification and downsizing efforts have pushed automakers towards other engine layouts.Let’s take a closer look at these three models, what each one has to offer, and some of the reasons behind the two-door SUV’s quiet disappearance from the market. Jeep Wrangler: From The School Run To The Trail JeepThe Jeep Wrangler is nearly 40 years old, having first been introduced for the 1987 model year. Today, the model is in its fourth (JL) generation, which has been on the market since 2018. The current Wrangler is a mid-size SUV, available in both two-door and four-door versions. The two-door body style, however, is the one with the stronger connection to Jeep’s history, since the model’s first two generations were exclusively available with two doors, while the four-door model was a later addition.The Wrangler’s design echoes that of classic Jeeps, representing the brand’s heritage through features such as the iconic round headlights and the seven-slot grille. Although, like most SUVs, it has moved in the direction of practicality and comfort, it still remains one of the most rugged members of the Jeep family, with heaps of off-roading features on board and a selection of three four-wheel-drive systems.Jeep The 2026 model offers a very large lineup, with countless different trim levels and special editions available. From cosmetic features to off-roading prowess, there is a Wrangler out there to suit every buyer’s individual preference.On the powertrain front, the model is available with three choices of powertrain, but only two of them are available in conjunction with the two-door body style. These two are a 3.6-liter V6, which produces 285 hp, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, which produces 270 hp.The overall lineup does also include a V8 (a 6.4-liter unit producing 470 hp), however this engine is only offered in a handful of special edition models (such as the Moab 392), all of which have four doors.The Wrangler is equipped with an infotainment system controlled via a 12.3-inch touchscreen, powered by the Uconnect 5 software. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included as standard, while navigation features are standard in some versions of the model. Ford Bronco: Return Of A Classic Nameplate FordNext up, we have one of the Wrangler’s rivals, the Ford Bronco. This model was brought back for its sixth generation in 2021, re-introducing an iconic nameplate to the market. The Bronco has six decades of history behind it, having been around since 1966; this latest version of the model draws heavily on its heritage with a retro-inspired design. Both two- and four-door body styles are available, the latter being a new addition for this generation as all previous Broncos had two doors.The Bronco’s return was a successful one: the new model earned itself second place in CarBuzz’s ranking of best Bronco generations. A wide variety of trim levels and special editions are included in its lineup, with nine different versions of the model being offered for 2027. The RTR, a new addition, offers some additional off-road features such as an upgraded suspension and 33-inch all-terrain tires. It’s a great option for drivers who want a two-door model that’s close in character to the Bronco Raptor (the most rugged and off-road-ready model in the bunch, which is only offered as a four-door).Ford Unlike its fifth-gen predecessor, which had included the Windsor V8 in its engine lineup, the new Bronco no longer offers the option of V8 power. There are two choices of engine available: a 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 – which produces 330 hp – and a 2.3-liter twin-turbo inline-four, which produces 275 hp. The former is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, while the latter also offers the option of a seven-speed manual.The two-door version of the Bronco has space for four occupants, while its four-door counterpart has seating for five. Both, however, offer plenty of room for their occupants to travel comfortably. The roof and doors are removable to transform the Bronco into an open vehicle, ideal for off-road excursions. However, in the two-door model, you will need to fold the rear seats down to transport the doors, while the four-door version has enough cargo room to transport them in the trunk.The infotainment system is controlled via a 12-inch touchscreen, and offers features such as Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, navigation, over-the-air updates, and Bluetooth connectivity. A seven-speaker sound system is standard, while a 12-speaker unit is available as an option. Land Rover Defender 90: The Only Option With A V8 On Board Land RoverThe last SUV on our list is also the only remaining two-door SUV sold in the US with a V8 engine. We’re talking about the Land Rover Defender 90, the short-wheelbase member of the modern Defender family. The current Defender was launched for the 2020 model year, as a successor to the iconic model of the same name that was produced between 1983 and 2016.The 90 is the smallest model in the bunch, with seating for five occupants. Its larger siblings are the 110, which seats between five and seven depending on configuration, and the 130, which can seat up to eight. Both the 110 and the 130 have four doors.Land Rover The Defender 90 is available with a single choice of engine: a 5.0-liter supercharged V8, which produces 518 hp and pushes the vehicle to 60 mph in as little as 4.4 seconds. The engine is paired with a single transmission option, an eight-speed automatic. In the overall Defender lineup, we also find a second, more powerful V8 (a 4.4-liter twin-turbo unit, producing 626 hp). However, this engine is only available in the 110 Octa version, which has four doors.The Defender’s infotainment system is controlled via a 13.1-inch touchscreen. It runs on Land Rover’s Pivi Pro software, which supports over-the-air updates as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Navigation features and on-board Wi-Fi are both offered as standard. A six-speaker sound system is standard, while 10- or 14-speaker units are available as an option. Why Is The Two-Door SUV A Rare Animal? Jeep The increasing rarity of the two-door SUV is a result of the same phenomenon that has been reshaping the automotive market for several decades now: growing consumer preference for practical vehicles that are easy to get in and out of for the whole family. It’s not just the two-door SUV that has fallen victim to this change, but two-door cars in general: models with rear doors are preferred by people with children or elderly family members, thanks to the improved ease of access.Ford While two-door cars are more common in automotive categories where practicality is a less important aspect (such as sports cars), in the world of SUVs it simply makes less sense. SUVs’ practicality is a major selling point that makes them popular family vehicles; buying one with two doors would somewhat negate that in the eyes of the average driver.As a result, automakers have been quietly shifting their lineups towards four-door vehicles, which is why today only three two-door SUVs are still available on the market.If, however, you’re a more “old-school” type of SUV driver, and are choosing to buy one for trips off the beaten track rather than as an everyday family hauler, smaller two-door models can have some advantages. They are typically more agile and nimble thanks to their more compact dimensions, and their styling is sportier and timeless thanks to their visual connection to iconic SUVs of the past.Sources: Jeep, Ford, Land Rover