the amc eagles were the only four-wheel-drive passenger cars produced in the u.s. at the time. they were affordable cars offering a comfortable ride and handling on pavement together with superior traction in "light" off-road use through amc's innovative engineering and packaging. although the definition is not precise, the amc eagle is today known as one of the first crossover vehicles. all models featured "passenger-car comfort, plus 4wd security for all-weather security." fuel-thirsty vehicles built for rugged off-road were on the market. comparable sedan and compact station wagon models were not available from other manufacturers, especially at the eagle's price point, and amc "predicted that consumers would embrace a vehicle with the comfort of an automobile, but the ride height and foul-weather capabilities of a four-wheel-drive utility vehicle."