Jeep

Jeep has a storied history, starting as a four-wheel-drive military vehicle produced by Willys-Overland and Ford for the U.S. Army during World War II. The origin of the name "jeep" is uncertain, with some sources claiming it's short for "general purpose" and others stating it was inspired by a character in the Popeye comic strip.

After the war, Jeep introduced the CJ-2A, the first civilian Jeep. Its popularity led to the introduction of new models, such as the CJ-3B and CJ-5, which had a 30-year production run. In the 1960s, Jeep debuted the Wagoneer, the first four-wheel-drive vehicle with an automatic transmission, and a V6 engine became available as an option on the CJ-5 and CJ-6. The 1970s saw Jeep change ownership to American Motors Corporation, and the introduction of the CJ-7 and the world's first automatic full-time four-wheel-drive system, Quadra-Trac.

In the 1980s, Jeep released the Cherokee and Wrangler, and the Grand Cherokee made its debut in 1993. The company fell under the umbrella of DaimlerChrysler after the merger of Chrysler and Daimler-Benz in 1998, and new models like the Liberty and Compass were introduced. Today, Jeep is part of Stellantis, which also markets Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Ram, and Maserati models in the U.S.

Every Jeep SUV offers four-wheel drive, and each model has a Trail Rated version that meets a set of Jeep criteria for off-road capability. The Wrangler and the four-door Gladiator are two of the most rugged and off-road-capable vehicles available anywhere. Jeep's entry-level SUVs, the Compass and Renegade, have more of an on-road focus, and the larger Cherokee competes with the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and other compact SUVs. The Grand Cherokee is a mid-size SUV. With the addition of new models and improvements under the hoods and within the cabins, Jeep will continue to attract loyal fans and new customers alike.