SUVs (full name: Sport Utility Vehicle) are wheeled civilian vehicles featured in both ArmA 2 and ArmA 3.
ArmA 2[]
The SUV is used by several REDFOR and INDFOR factions, as well as with Takistani civilians in ArmA 2. It was added with the release of the Operation Arrowhead expansion pack.
Overview[]
- Role:
- V.I.P transport
« | A SUV (sport utility vehicle) is a generic marketing term for a vehicle similar to a station wagon, but built on a light-truck chassis. In this case, this SUV is, in fact, a limousine. | » |
Design[]
The SUV is a large-sized, four-door, 4x4 limousine vehicle designed to serve in a variety of roles, from acting as a defensive security vehicle to an armed transport.
Features
It is available in two variants: a baseline unarmed version that has no weapons mounted on it, and an armed version that has a minigun mounted on pop-out turret ring.
Mobility
ArmA 2's SUV has superb off-road capabilities and can easily maintain speeds of up to 56-57 km/h even on the roughest of surfaces.[A2CfgV 6] However, the SUV isn't as good when it comes to turning.[A2CfgV 7] It tends to grind to a halt in the middle of a turn, whereas other civilian cars like the Hatchback can continue making loops without losing too much speed.
The SUV's elevated clearance (compared to most vehicles in its class) also gives it a better view of the road. However, this also serves as a downside to the SUV since its increased height raises the likelihood of a rollover when turning on corners at high speeds.
Crew Capacity
The SUV has a seating capacity of six, consisting of the driver and up to five passengers.[A2CfgV 1]
Variants[]
Armored SUV[]
- Main article: Armored SUV
Protection: Hitpoints[]
The SUV has a base armour value of 25.[A2CfgV 8]
Successful strikes to any of the following highlighted sections will inflict full damage to the component:

LEGEND
Green = Body
Orange = Engine
Violet = Fuel tank
Body[]
The SUV's body can take up to 25 points of damage.[A2CfgV 9][Formula 1] Depletion of its integrity will always result in a catastrophic kill.[A2CfgV 10]
Engine[]
The engine can withstand up to 12.5 points of damage before it fails.[A2CfgV 11][Formula 2] 100% of damage inflicted upon the engine will be shared with the SUV's main "health" pool. If the SUV is at critical "health" status, this can result in a catastrophic explosion.[A2CfgV 12]
Fuel tank[]
The fuel tank can take no more than 3.5 points of damage before it ruptures.[A2CfgV 13][Formula 3] 100% of incoming damage will always be shared with the SUV's main "health" pool. If the SUV is at critical "health" status, this can result in a catastrophic explosion.[A2CfgV 14]
Wheels[]
Each of the SUV's wheels can take up to 3.75 points of damage before their tyres burst.[A2CfgV 15][A2CfgV 16][Formula 4] At least 30% of incoming damage inflicted upon any of the wheels will be shared with the SUV's main "health" pool. Destroying all four wheels can potentially result in a catastrophic explosion if the SUV is at critical "health" status.[A2CfgV 17][A2CfgV 18]
Protection: Armour[]

LEGEND
Dark blue = iron.bisurf
Green = glassplate.bisurf
Maroon = armor_1mm_plate.bisurf
Purple = plastic_material.bisurf
Teal = armor_3mm_plate.bisurf
Yellow = glass.bisurf
.bisurf | Density[3] | Thickness[3] | bulletPenetrability[4] | bulletPenetrabilityWithThickness[4] |
---|---|---|---|---|
armor_1mm_plate.bisurf | 7800 | 1 | 200 | 13 |
armor_3mm_plate.bisurf | 7800 | 3 | 200 | 13 |
glass.bisurf | 2400 | N/A; based on vehicle fire geometry thickness | 250 | N/A; not used by glass.bisurf |
glassplate.bisurf | 2400 | 5 | 250 | 120 |
iron.bisurf | 7800 | N/A; based on vehicle fire geometry thickness | 20 | N/A; not used by iron.bisurf |
plastic_material.bisurf | 1380 | N/A; based on vehicle fire geometry thickness | 150 | N/A; not used by plastic_material.bisurf |
The SUV's bonnet is protected by a plate of armour that has a thickness of 3 millimetres.[rvmat 1][bisurf 1] On the other hand, the rest of the SUV's body and its chassis are protected by thinner armour plates that have a thickness of only 1 millimetre.[rvmat 2][bisurf 2]
The dashboard and the front bumper are made out of plastic[rvmat 3][bisurf 3], whereas the engine and fuel tank are made out of iron.[rvmat 4][bisurf 4]
The headlights are made out of glass.[rvmat 5][bisurf 5] Its windows also use panes of plain glass, though these glass panes specifically have a thickness of 5 millimetres.[rvmat 6][bisurf 6] In both cases, the glass is not ballistic-resistant and cannot block bullet projectiles of any calibre from piercing through.
Defensive sensors[]
The SUV is not equipped with defensive sensors. The driver will not be alerted if a guided weapon or projectile is attempting to acquire a lock onto the vehicle[A2CfgV 19], nor if a projectile has already locked onto the vehicle and is inbound towards it.[A2CfgV 20]
AI[]
NOTE: The following information only applies to the AI.
Camouflage rating[]
- Main article: AI Basics: Detection
The SUV has a camouflage[5] rating of 2.[A2CfgV 21]
Cost[]
- Main article: AI Basics: Targeting priority
The SUV has a cost[6] value of 40000.[A2CfgV 22]
Threat values[]
- Main article: AI Basics: Targeting priority
The SUV is considered to be a medium-risk threat[7] to AI-controlled infantry units, ground vehicles, and aircraft (0.5/0.5/0.5).[A2CfgV 23] AI will only engage the SUV if there are no other more threatening/higher value targets within range.
Noise factor[]
- Main article: AI Basics: Detection
The SUV has an audible[8] factor of 3.[A2CfgV 24]
Trivia[]
- The ArmA 2 SUV appears to be based on the real-world 2007-2009 models of the "Suburban SUV" designed by the American car manufacturer Chevrolet.[9]
- Prior to Patch 1.57 for Operation Arrowhead (standalone version), SUVs did not allow the driver to activate a GPS.[10]
- At launch, SUVs had an absurdly high storage capacity, allowing for up to 20,000 weapons and 5,000 slots' worth of magazines to be carried at once. Its capacity was sharply reduced after the latest Steam version patches (as part of CorePatch).[11]
- The SUV appears to be the vehicle of choice for all PMC contractors operating throughout Takistan as even ION's rival company, Talon International, uses the SUV as their primary form of ground transportation.
- This can be seen throughout the campaign with the countless numbers of appearances that the SUV makes, and in the AAN news report that details an ambush on a convoy of Talon PMCs.[12]
- The SUV's model is reused in ArmA Tactics, though it is only present as a static (indestructible) prop that appears in some of the main campaign's levels.
Gallery[]
ArmA 3[]
The SUV is used by Altian and Tanoan civilians as a luxury vehicle in ArmA 3.
Overview[]
- Role:
- Civil transportation
« | A full-size luxury crossover SUV, not particularly suitable for off-road but with good on-road performance. Its powerful engine and 4x4 contribute to the enjoyable rides in higher speeds. Field Manual[13]
|
» |
Design[]
The SUV returns in ArmA 3, though it is no longer a limousine and functions as compact luxury vehicle with a conventional four-door layout.
Features
Unlike the Hatchback, ArmA 3's SUV has greater clearance that provides the driver with a clearer view of the road. It is slightly tougher and less prone to collision damage as well. Just like the Offroad, the SUV is one of the few civilian vehicles that can be airlifted by aircraft; either through internal transportation or via slingloading.
Mobility
The SUV's engine has a power output of 408 kW[A3CfgV 5] and can generate up to 680 N·m of torque.[A3CfgV 6]
Compared to both variants of the Hatchback, the SUV's torque curves allow it comfortably maintain a cruising speed of 213 km/h on flat terrain and paved surfaces.[A3CfgV 7] However, the SUV cannot match the Hatchback's dedicated motorsports variant when both are accelerating at their maximum possible speeds (250 km/h for the SUV versus the Hatchback Sport's top speed of 298 km/h).
In terms of handling, the SUV is much better compared to the Hatchback when it comes to driving off-road.[A3CfgV 8] Whereas the Hatchback will grind to a sluggish speed of no more than 22 km/h even with turbo activated, the SUV gets slowed to a maximum of just 126 km/h (albeit only with turbo toggled). However, because the SUV is ~ 29% heavier than the Hatchback, it needs slightly more room when making turns.[A3CfgV 9]
Drawbacks
ArmA 3's SUV loses two passenger seats as it can only carry a maximum of no more than three at a time.[A3CfgV 1] Furthermore, ArmA 3's SUV faces the same issue as its predecessor did in ArmA 2; that being its high centre of gravity. Even when performing basic loops, the SUV's driver has the potential to trigger a rollover at moderately high speeds. If the terrain is uneven, the risk of a rollover is even greater if the driver attempts to make a sharp turn on corners.
Crew Capacity
The SUV has a maximum seating capacity of four, supporting a driver and up to three passengers.[A3CfgV 1]
Camouflage[]
- Black: Pattern-less matte black paint scheme.
- Grey: Pattern-less medium grey paint scheme.
- Orange: Two-tone orange/black paint scheme.
- Red: Pattern-less dark red paint scheme.
Protection: Hitpoints[]
The SUV has a base armour value of 30.[A3CfgV 10] It is classified as a civilian vehicle and cannot be retrofitted with addon armour modules.
The following highlighted positions serve as weak points on SUVs:

LEGEND[SCR 2]
Green = Body
Orange = Engine
Violet = Fuel tank
Body[]
The vehicle's body can withstand up to 30 points of damage.[A3CfgV 11][Formula 5] It takes 150% additional damage from high-explosive (HE) type munitions.[A3CfgV 12]
Depletion of the body's integrity will instantly result in a catastrophic kill.[A3CfgV 13][A3CfgV 14]
Engine[]
The engine can take a maximum of 120 points of damage before it fails.[A3CfgV 15][Formula 6] It takes 50% reduced damage from HE-type munitions.[A3CfgV 16]
At least 50% of damage inflicted upon the engine will always be shared with the SUV's main "health" pool. If the SUV is at critical "health" status, this can potentially cause a catastrophic explosion.[A3CfgV 17]
Fuel tank[]
The fuel tank can withstand up to 60 points of damage before it ruptures.[A3CfgV 18][Formula 7] It takes 150% additional damage from HE-type munitions.[A3CfgV 19]
At least 10% of incoming damage will always be shared with the SUV's main "health" pool.[A3CfgV 20]
Wheels[]
Each of the four wheels can only take a maximum of 80 points of damage before their tyres burst.[A3CfgV 21][A3CfgV 22][note 1] They take 400% additional damage from HE-type munitions.[A3CfgV 23][A3CfgV 24] No damage inflicted upon any of the wheels will be shared with the SUV's main "health" pool.[A3CfgV 25][A3CfgV 26]
The SUV cannot be completely immobilised even if all four wheels are destroyed and their tyres are burst. However, making simple manoeuvres whilst driving off-road or climbing uphill on steep inclines will be almost impossible.
Protection: Armour[]

LEGEND[SCR 3]
Dark blue = metal_plate_thin.bisurf
Green = cloth.bisurf
Maroon = metal.bisurf
Teal = plastic_plate.bisurf
Yellow = glass_plate.bisurf
.bisurf | Density [14][15][16] |
Thickness [14][15][16] |
bulletPenetrability [14][15][16] |
bulletPenetrabilityWithThickness [14][15][16] |
Friction [14][17] |
Restitution [14][17] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
cloth.bisurf | 192 | N/A; based on vehicle fire geometry thickness | 9999 | N/A; not used by cloth.bisurf | 0.7 | 0.3 |
glass_plate.bisurf | 2800 | 5 | N/A; not used by glass_plate.bisurf | 69 | 0.7 | 0.3 |
metal.bisurf | 4000 | N/A; based on vehicle fire geometry thickness | 48 | N/A; not used by metal.bisurf | 0.7 | 0.3 |
metal_plate_thin.bisurf | 4000 | 6 | N/A; not used by metal_plate_thin.bisurf | 48 | 0.7 | 0.3 |
plastic_plate.bisurf | 1200 | 1 | N/A; not used by plastic_plate.bisurf | 160 | 0.7 | 0.3 |
The SUV's engine is made out of a block of plain metal.[rvmat 7][bisurf 7] The car's body and the rest of the chassis (but not the front and rear bumpers) is also made out of plates of plain metal. These metal plates have a thickness of 6 millimetres.[rvmat 8][bisurf 8]
Its front and rear bumpers, as well as the car's fuel tank are made out of plastic. The plastic has a thickness of 1 millimetre.[rvmat 9][bisurf 9] Both the driver's and front passenger seats are made out of cloth fabrics.[rvmat 10][bisurf 10]
Lastly, the windows (including those on the roof) are all made out of panes of plain glass.[note 2] These panes of glass have a thickness of 5 millimetres.[rvmat 11][bisurf 11] However, these panes of glass are not bullet-resistant and will not block bullet projectiles of any calibre from piercing through.
Mobility[]
Engine[]
The SUV's engine has a power output of 408 kW.[A3CfgV 5] It has a maximum rotational speed of 600 rad/s[A3CfgV 27] and a maximum attainable torque of 680 N·m.[A3CfgV 6]
Torque curves[]
Engine RPM (@%) | X-value[18] | Y-value[18] |
---|---|---|
@ 0% | 0[A3CfgV 7] | 0[A3CfgV 7] |
@ 18% | 0.185[A3CfgV 7] | 0.713[A3CfgV 7] |
@ 35% | 0.35[A3CfgV 7] | 1[A3CfgV 7] |
@ 50% | 0.5[A3CfgV 7] | 0.975[A3CfgV 7] |
@ 75% | 0.75[A3CfgV 7] | 0.755[A3CfgV 7] |
@ 85% | 0.85[A3CfgV 7] | 0.627[A3CfgV 7] |
@ 100% | 1[A3CfgV 7] | 0.415[A3CfgV 7] |
Gearbox[]
The SUV utilises an automatic gearbox:[A3CfgV 28]
Gear #[19] | Gearbox Ratio[19] |
---|---|
Reverse (R) | -6.575[A3CfgV 29] |
Neutral (N) | 0[A3CfgV 29] |
Gear 1 (D1) | 4.827[A3CfgV 29] |
Gear 2 (D2) | 2.855[A3CfgV 29] |
Gear 3 (D3) | 1.716[A3CfgV 29] |
Gear 4 (D4) | 1.073[A3CfgV 29] |
Gear 5 (D5) | 0.755[A3CfgV 29] |
Gear 6 (D6) | 0.575[A3CfgV 29] |
Idle[]
The SUV's engine technically[note 3] has an idle RPM of 0:[A3CfgV 30][SCR 4]
Gear #[19] | Ratio | RPM |
---|---|---|
Reverse (R) | -37.41 | -0.00 |
Neutral (N) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
Gear 1 (D1) | 27.47 | 0.00 |
Gear 2 (D2) | 16.24 | 0.00 |
Gear 3 (D3) | 9.76 | 0.00 |
Gear 4 (D4) | 6.11 | 0.00 |
Gear 5 (D5) | 4.30 | 0.00 |
Gear 6 (D6) | 3.27 | 0.00 |
Reverse[]
The SUV's engine has an RPM of 5,729.58 when reversing:[SCR 4]
Gear #[19] | Ratio | RPM |
---|---|---|
Reverse (R) | -37.41 | 5792.15[note 4] |
Neutral (N) | 0.00 | -0.00 |
Gear 1 (D1) | 27.47 | -4252.28[note 4] |
Gear 2 (D2) | 16.24 | -2515.07[note 4] |
Gear 3 (D3) | 9.76 | -1511.69[note 4] |
Gear 4 (D4) | 6.11 | -945.24[note 4] |
Gear 5 (D5) | 4.30 | -665.11[note 4] |
Gear 6 (D6) | 3.27 | -506.54[note 4] |
Drive (6th gear/normal)[]
When accelerating at 6th gear without vehicle turbo active, the SUV's engine has an RPM of 4,198.94:[SCR 4]
Gear #[19] | Ratio | RPM |
---|---|---|
Reverse (R) | -37.41 | -47835.14 |
Neutral (N) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
Gear 1 (D1) | 27.47 | 35117.91 |
Gear 2 (D2) | 16.24 | 20771.00 |
Gear 3 (D3) | 9.76 | 12484.42 |
Gear 4 (D4) | 6.11 | 7806.40 |
Gear 5 (D5) | 4.30 | 5492.86 |
Gear 6 (D6) | 3.27 | 4183.30 |
Drive (6th gear/turbo)[]
When accelerating at 6th gear with vehicle turbo toggled, the SUV's engine has an RPM of 4,925.54:[SCR 4]
Gear #[19] | Ratio | RPM |
---|---|---|
Reverse (R) | -37.41 | -56112.86 |
Neutral (N) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
Gear 1 (D1) | 27.47 | 41194.95 |
Gear 2 (D2) | 16.24 | 24365.36 |
Gear 3 (D3) | 9.76 | 14644.82 |
Gear 4 (D4) | 6.11 | 9157.28 |
Gear 5 (D5) | 4.30 | 6443.38 |
Gear 6 (D6) | 3.27 | 4907.21 |
Sensors[]
The SUV does not have access to sensors that can be used for targeting purposes.
Defensive sensors[]
The SUV is not equipped with defensive sensors. The driver will not be alerted if a guided weapon is attempting to acquire a lock.[A3CfgV 31] No alerts will be relayed if a guided projectile has successfully locked onto the SUV is inbound towards it.[A3CfgV 32]
AI[]
NOTE: The following information only applies to the AI.
Camouflage rating[]
- Main article: AI Basics: Detection
The SUV has a camouflage[5] rating of 2.[A3CfgV 33]
Cost[]
- Main article: AI Basics: Targeting priority
The SUV has a cost[6] value of 50000.[A3CfgV 34]
Threat values[]
- Main article: AI Basics: Targeting priority
The SUV is not considered to be a threat[7] to AI-controlled infantry units, ground vehicles, and aircraft (0/0/0).[A3CfgV 35] AI will only engage SUVs if there are no other more threatening/higher value targets within range.
Noise factor[]
- Main article: AI Basics: Detection
The SUV has an audible[8] factor of 5.[A3CfgV 36]
Trivia[]
- The ArmA 3 SUV appears to be based on the real-world BMW "X6" (specifically the X6's concept car model).[20] Accordingly, the in-universe SUV is manufactured by an Armaverse company called "FTW".
- Prior to Game Update 1.04, the SUV's engine could not be damaged by ballistic projectiles due to its hitpoints being configured incorrectly.[21]
- The SUV did not have a Picture-in-Picture (PiP) enabled reverse camera at release. The camera display was only added after the release of Game Update 1.64.[22]
- Alongside the Hatchback, the release of Game Update 1.82 altered the SUV's handling so that it is entirely possible to drift while turning.[23]
- An unintended side effect of this update was that the SUV was also made significantly more fragile due to the way armour was refactored, meaning the SUV was liable to explode on even the slightest of crashes against hard objects.
Gallery[]
Config/script references[]
CfgVehicles (ArmA 2)
CfgVehicles (ArmA 3)
.bisurf
.rvmat
ScriptsFormulae
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Notes[]
- ↑ The SUV's wheel hitpoints do not use a coefficient value and are always set to a fixed value of 80.
- ↑ On ArmA 3's SUV, the only exception to this is the driver's side door window, which is specifically NOT covered by a pane of glass.
- ↑ The minOmega configuration value is not used for the SUV. It will not default to an idle RPM of 800 even though the idleRpm token IS defined.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 The SUV's RPM values have a slight deviation of ±1%-2% whilst it is shifted to reverse gear.
References[]
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External links[]
See also[]
Variants[]
- Armored SUV (ArmA 2: PMC only)
Vehicles of comparable role and configuration[]
![]() | |
---|---|
Wheeled | 9P117 SCUD-B • BM-21 Grad • BTR-60 • BRDM-2 • Military Offroad • Motorcycle • SUV • UAZ-469 • Ural • V3S |
Tracked | BMP-2 • BVP-1 • M113 • T-34 • T-55 • T-72 • ZSU-23-4 |
Rotor-wing | Mi-8 • Mi-24D • UH-1H |
Fixed-wing | An-2 • L-39ZA • Su-25 |
Operation Arrowhead | Army of the Czech Republic |
![]() | |
---|---|
Wheeled | SUV (Armored SUV) |
Tracked | M113 |
Rotor-wing | Ka-60 • Ka-137 |
Fixed-wing | C-130J Hercules |
(Parenthesis) denote variants. Operation Arrowhead | Private Military Company |
![]() | |
---|---|
Wheeled | SUV • UAZ-469 • Ural |
Tracked | BMP-2 • M113 |
Rotor-wing | Mi-8 |
(Parenthesis) denote variants. Operation Arrowhead |