Every epic story has a beginning, from The Odyssey to The Lord of the Rings. The tale of the sport utility vehicle (SUV) is no exception. Once a small part of the automotive market, SUVs and their cousin, the crossover, now account for 58 percent of all new U.S. vehicles sold, and worldwide revenue is soaring past $1 trillion annually.
Plenty of automakers have tried to make the best SUV, but there’s no disputing where the story started. When you visit a Jeep dealer, you’re connecting with the nameplate that single-handedly pioneered the SUV. Born on the battlefields of World War II, Jeep is responsible for creating the 4×4 SUV and its major variations, making these vehicles accessible to millions of drivers.
Do you want to know more about how Jeep invented the SUV and continues to push boundaries? Join me for a jump into the Jeep time machine and revisit a few of the most important moments in SUV development.
Jeep CJ: The First Off-Roader
The earliest Jeeps were developed for U.S. Army forces in World War II. This included the Willys Quad 4×4 prototype in 1940, followed by the Willys MA and MB. “Jeep” was a military term dating to WWI, which referred to unproven new recruits and vehicles. It is also said to come from the vehicle’s designation as General Purpose, shortened to GP. The term was used for the vehicle during development, and stuck even after it proved itself by turning the tide with rugged off-road and hauling capabilities.
It would have been easy to put the vehicle out to pasture following victory. However, Willys-Overland saw an opportunity to adapt the MB for peacetime. The result was the Jeep CJ-2A, the first off-road 4×4 specifically made for public purchase. CJ stood for “Civilian Jeep.” The CJ-1 and CJ-2 were prototypes that never made it to market.
To create the Jeep CJ-2A, the manufacturer modified the Willys MB with the following:
- Better springs, shock absorbers, and seats gave occupants a more comfortable ride.
- Different gear ratios for the transmission and transfer case let drivers do low-speed towing while also reaching top speeds of 60 mph.
- A reinforced frame, stronger clutch, and better cooling capabilities improved vehicle longevity.
- Bigger seven-inch headlights improved nighttime visibility.
- Owners enjoyed better utility with a tailgate, driver’s side windshield wiper, external fuel cap, and side-mounted spare tire.
- An onboard power take-off unit allowed the use of tools and equipment intended for tractors.
Interestingly, Jeep’s primary target for the Jeep CJ was agriculture, positioning it as an affordable vehicle for the millions of post-war farmers who didn’t have a truck or tractor. The CJ was soon adapted for hundreds of peacetime jobs, and its ruggedness also allowed people to explore America’s vast wilderness in their spare time.
Even with plenty of decommissioned Willys MBs on the market, the Jeep CJ-2A became an instant hit. The CJ nameplate eventually lasted over 40 years, seeing several major updates and surviving multiple ownership changes. More than 1.5 million Jeep CJs were produced before the final CJ-7 rolled off the assembly line in 1986, replaced by the Jeep Wrangler, which is known and loved by present-day adventurers.
Jeep Wagoneer: The First 4×4 Passenger Vehicle
In the 20 years following the successful CJ debut, many new Jeep vehicles followed, including the Willys-Overland Truck and Jeep DJ-3A dispatcher. The next major historical landmark came in 1963 with the Jeep Wagoneer. This 4×4 marks two tentpoles. It was the first 4WD vehicle designed primarily as a passenger vehicle and the first full-size SUV. As a replacement for the Willys utility wagon produced since 1947, the Wagoneer SJ (Senior Jeep) achieved these designations with several smaller industry firsts:
- The first 4×4 with an automatic transmission
- The first 4×4 to use an independent front suspension
- The first six-cylinder truck engine with an overhead cam
It also offered modern station wagon styling, comfortable leather seating, and other luxury comforts. Engines ranged from the 3.8L Tornado I-6 to the 6.6L AMC V8. The result was a vehicle that could comfortably be driven on main streets and the new interstate highway system while giving owners all the off-road and hauling benefits of 4WD. Interestingly, the Wagoneer was part of a larger Senior Jeep family, as the Jeep Gladiator pickup truck simultaneously debuted with SJ underpinnings.
Furthermore, the Jeep Wagoneer SJ went almost unchanged in terms of body styling and mechanics for 29 years. It was that far ahead of its time when it was introduced. The only major change was adding the Quadra-Trac 4×4 system in 1973. That said, the Wagoneer SJ was renamed the Grand Wagoneer in 1984 when Jeep introduced a smaller Wagoneer to keep up with the vehicle downsizing trend spurred by multiple national energy shortages.
The SJ 4×4 passenger ride was finally discontinued after 1991, replaced in 1993 by the Jeep Grand Cherokee (which included a special Grand Wagoneer trim for its first year). After three decades away, though, the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer returned in 2022. The new versions are based on the Ram 1500 truck chassis and continue the vision of “4×4 meets luxury.”
Jeep Cherokee: The First Compact Crossover
The engineers at Jeep weren’t done adapting their vehicles for modern times. The first-generation Jeep Cherokee that debuted in 1974 was based on the SJ foundation, effectively being a sportier, two-door version of the body-on-frame SUV. (A four-door version followed in 1977.) However, the second-generation Cherokee XJ released in 1984 was the true groundbreaker. As part of the vehicle downsizing efforts I mentioned earlier, the Jeep Cherokee XJ (and the new Wagoneer) were compact SUVs, the first of their kind. But while the compact Wagoneer was still body-on-frame, the Cherokee XJ was a unibody vehicle, launching what’s now known as the crossover segment.
Many manufacturers had already moved to unibody cars for their lighter weight, larger interior, better on-road ride quality, and improved safety. The Jeep Cherokee XJ took this car skeleton and merged it with a 4×4. Cherokee owners still received 4WD performance with the choice of a Command-Trac Part-Time or Selec-Trac Full-Time system. There were also two-door or four-door bodies. In 1987, AMC added the famous 4.0L I-6 engine option, giving this small SUV some serious power.
Jeep made the Cherokee XJ until 2001, and many other automakers copied the major design elements. Before long, the crossover started replacing not only station wagons but regular sedans and hatchbacks, too. The third and fourth generations of the vehicle (the KJ and KK) were sold as the Jeep Liberty in North America, but remained the Cherokee in the rest of the world.
After two generations of poorly received Liberty vehicles, Jeep brought the Cherokee name back stateside in 2014 while upsizing it to a midsize crossover and building it on a Fiat platform to recall the original sporty vibe. Along the way, crossovers have grown to represent more than 45% of new U.S. vehicles. Everyone can thank Jeep for that.
Continuing to Set the SUV Bar
These three vehicles are a tiny fraction of the legendary rides Jeep has delivered over the decades. People fondly remember the Forward Control (FC) 4×4 truck series, Jeepster Commando compact 4×4, Jeep Comanche compact truck, and many other steeds. Today, drivers can feast on the newest versions of the Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, Gladiator, Compass, and more. Plus, Jeep has continued to make special vehicles for the military.
Many chapters have been written in Jeep’s illustrious history, and there are surely more innovations and stories to come. Remember this heritage of invention and forward thinking whenever you climb behind the wheel of a Jeep 4×4, knowing you’re supporting the automaker responsible for it all.
