Jeep
The evolution of the Jeep brand
No other brand of vehicle has changed as much as Jeep - it's come a long way since its beginning as a military vehicle. As for the company itself, it changed hands three times, from Willys-Overland to Kaiser-Jeep to American Motors Corporation (AMC), before finally landing in the hands of Daimler-Chrysler Corporation.
Jeep history
In 1939, the US military needed a new all-terrain vehicle, so they encouraged companies to compete for a contract to build it for them. The first prototype of what is now called Jeep was built during this competition. No one really knows where the name 'Jeep' actually came from, but it has certainly stuck.
From the late 1940s into the early 1950s, Jeep made the transition from military vehicle to civilian. One of the most popular Jeeps, the CJ-7, came into production in 1976 and had a 10-year run - in 1987 it was replaced by the Jeep Wrangler.
The Cherokee line, another of Jeep's most popular models, debuted in 1962. The Cherokee as we currently know it began in 1983 to compete with the new trend in compact SUVs. It was restyled again in 1999 to be bigger and more powerful.
Modern styling
Jeep owners are all about versatility - they want to be able to go anywhere and do anything. All types of drivers are attracted to the Jeep brand because of the diversity of their vehicles. Today, Jeep currently has seven different trucks in their lineup:
The Commander is the largest of the bunch, with 7-passenger seating and powerful engines. The Grand Cherokee represents the best that luxury SUVs have to offer, while their Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited are the original off-road vehicles. The new Wrangler Rubicon is also the winner of the 2007 Four Wheeler of the Year award. The Compass, Patriot and Liberty are the newer models of mid-sized SUVs, designed for urban living. They offer modern styling, superb performance, and excellent gas mileage.
Every vehicle in the Jeep lineup comes with a 5-star safety rating and great gas mileage. In fact, Jeep has more fuel efficient 4x4s than any other brand. The gas mileage ranges from 15 - 19 mpg/city and 24-30 mpg/hwy. Obviously the worst on fuel are the vehicles with the larger engines and optional V8 Hemis, such as the Jeep Commander and Grand Cherokee. The Patriot and Compass have the best fuel economy in the group, with the Liberty not far behind.
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