The 5 Most Iconic Jeep SUVs of All Time

An Icon on the Road and Off

When you search for a new or used Jeep near me, you might be interested in seeing some of the most iconic Jeeps throughout its long history.

A Storied History

The first Jeep vehicle arrived as America was getting ready to go to war, and military leaders needed a vehicle that would take them over rough terrain. The American Bantam Car Company has a prototype called the Bantam Reconnaissance Car, which served as the frame for the first Jeep, and the rest is history.

The 1941-1945 Willys MB

The best place to start when talking about iconic Jeeps is the one that started it all. The Willys MB set a precedent for every Jeep that came after it. It was durable, would go anywhere, and could do anything. The original Jeep had three seats, four-wheel drive, and a fold-down windshield. The body was completely open with no doors, which allowed the driver and their two passengers to jump in and out quickly.

1963 –1991 Jeep Wagoneer

If you search for a "Wagoneer near me" now, you’ll get the new generation that arrived just a few years ago, but the original Jeep Wagoneer is a legend. It first came out in 1963 and could probably be called one of the first luxury SUVs. Its iconic wood-paneled sides made it stand out, and it kept this look for its entire 29-year run. The first Wagoneers were powered by a 6-cylinder engine, and buyers could get it with a three-speed manual transmission or a three-speed automatic. They also had the choice between rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The last generation of the Jeep Wagoneer ran from 1989 through 1991 with upgrades in the cabin to bring it in line with their popular minivan.

2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

Not all iconic Jeeps are in the past. The 2018 Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is iconic partly because of its 6.2-liter Hellcat V-8 engine from the Charger and Challenger muscle cars that generates 707 horsepower and partly because of its unmatched capabilities when the road ends and the trail begins. When it was first released, the Trackhawk also had the distinction of being the most expensive Jeep ever made, but it was still a good value compared to other luxury SUVs in its class. While this Jeep SUV can perform as expected over rough off-road terrain, its performance also made it track-worthy.

2005-2010 Jeep Commander

The Jeep Commander first arrived in 2005 with complete disregard for aerodynamics. It was the second largest Jeep SUV to ever come off the production line. Even though it had a retro look, it came with modern features such as stability control, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, and side curtain airbags. There is room for seven in the Commander, and when Jeep buyers bought it new, it offered a choice between a V-6 engine and two V-8s.

Drive Home a Legend

From the World War II-era Willys to today's Wranglers and Grand Cherokees, Jeep vehicles are the stuff of legends. Often copied, but never duplicated, Jeep SUVs are capable and versatile. And no other family of SUVs can crawl up a mountainside and then clean up nice for a night on the town.

Whether you're a "mess-it-up-and-hose-it-out" type or you like a little more refinement in your ride, stop searching "Jeep near me," and head over to Lockwood Motors for a test drive.