The brand history of Jeep can be traced through nine fundamental vehicles that not only marked mileposts in the Jeep legend, but also had a pioneering role in the introduction of new models and segments in the automotive industry.
These nine milestone models showcase how the Jeep brand has been a key player in the evolution of the SUV industry and of its sub-segments. From 1941, when the first Willys-Overland rolled off the assembly line to today, the “Jeep” vehicles have been transformed into faithful work companions in farmhouses, recreational family vehicles and premium cars for city customers.
The Jeep legend starts with the Willys-Overland MA/MB (1941-1945). In 1940, with war raging in Europe, the U.S. Government issued a requisition for a “light reconnaissance vehicle” for the Army and invited 135 manufacturers to bid on production. Willys-Overland won the contract with its MA design of 1941 (where M stands for military and A indicates the series number). This early prototype led to the production of the Overland MB, the authentic forerunner of the Jeep legend. Willys trademarked the name after the war and turned the Jeep into an off-road civilian utility vehicle for the farm.
With the 1945-1949 Jeep CJ-2A, Jeep introduced the first modern mass-produced off-road vehicle, where CJ stands for Civilian Jeep, and in the same years found inspiration to create
the first SUV (sports utility vehicle), thanks to the launch of the Jeep/Willys Wagon.
First introduced in 1946, the Willys Wagon made an important contribution to the evolution of the SUV, being the industry’s first all-steel-bodied station wagon, sold as a non-commercial vehicle. Featuring room for seven passengers, the Wagon also popularised the concept of a multi-purpose sports vehicle, offering functionality, versatility and 4×4 capability, all in the same package. In 1949, the four-wheel-drive system was introduced to this model, combining 4×4 with a station wagon body for the first time, and therefore pioneering the SUV category.
In 1955, the CJ-5 is launched. Improvements in engines, axles, transmissions and seating comfort contributed to make it the ideal vehicle to satisfy the public’s growing interest in off-road vehicles for recreational usage, allowing the brand to advance in this vehicle category. 
In 1963, with the debut of the Wagoneer, Jeep could proudly claim the creation of the premium large SUV. An all-new vehicle from the ground up, the Wagoneer was also the first time a manufacturer mated an automatic transmission with the four-wheel-drive system. The Jeep Wagoneer was also the first four-wheel-drive vehicle equipped with an independent front suspension and it also featured the first automatic full-time four-wheel-drive system (Quadra-Trac), introduced in 1973.
In 1984, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer was introduced to replace the Wagoneer. This model became a premium lifestyle vehicle, popular with celebrities and the general public until the end of its run in 1991.
In 1974, the first Cherokee model (SJ) is produced. This two-door off-road vehicle was based on the Wagoneer, without offering all the premium features of that model. Indeed, the Cherokee aimed at attracting a younger public than the Wagoneer and was built to answer the requests of the growing recreational vehicle market. 
The next major step in the evolution of the Jeep SUV came with the launch of the second-generation Cherokee in 1984 (XJ). With this model, that was the first SUV with a unibody, Jeep induced a further revolution in the market and created the new category of the compact SUVs .
With its introduction in mid-1992, the all-new Grand Cherokee model set a new standard in terms of craftsmanship and refinement in the premium large SUV market. This flagship of the brand was the first SUV to be equipped with a standard driver-side airbag, as well as the first to offer three different four-wheel-drive systems. Another major feature was Quadra-Trac, a four-wheel-drive system that reacted automatically to road conditions without the driver’s need to shift.
The Grand Cherokee defined the new segment standard in terms of style, craftsmanship and performance. Through three generations of Grand Cherokee (1999, 2005 and 2010), Jeep enhanced its flagship with new technological features and refined its on/off-road driving performance to reach the excellence of the current model.
Technological innovation is also the hallmark of the Jeep models introduced after the Grand Cherokee. In 2013, with the launch of the new generation of Cherokee, Jeep introduced the first “rear axle disconnect” feature in the mid-size SUV segment. This system reduces energy losses when it is not necessary to use the 4×4 mode, thus resulting in increased fuel efficiency. The new Cherokee is also the first mid-size SUV to feature a 9-speed automatic transmission.
One year later the same technological innovations were introduced in the small SUV segment by the all-new Renegade, the compact SUV that marks the debut of the brand in the city-car category. Described as a game changer, the Renegade represents the new era of Jeep and reaffirms the brand’s pioneering role in automotive history and its capability to create or anticipate trends.
