You're absolutely correct. The Bronco had been around for years, but it was the the Toyota 4Runner (1984) and the Nissan Pathfinder (1986) that really kickstarted the SUV craze. These were the first SUVs with car-like interior options. Ford's answer, the Ranger-based Explorer, didn't make the scene until 1991.
I think SUV’s came about because government regulation killed the station wagon.