100 Cars That Changed History

“Jeep Wagoneer front” by IFCAR – Own work. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.

56. Jeep Wagoneer 1963-1991 United States

The Jeep Wagoneer was the first luxury 4×4 vehicle. It was sold and produced and sold under many marques from 1963-1991. During its 28-year run (which is the 3rd longest in US automotive history), the Wagoneer only saw minor technical and body design changes. It was the first sport utility vehicle, long before the term sports utility vehicle was coined. It combined comfort and class with rugged off-road capabilities. The four-wheel drive Wagoneer was a beast in its time, providing all-terrain capabilities with a car-like experience. It changed the market, its comfort and style setting it apart from its competitors which were making more work-based designs. It would inspire the Jeep Cherokee, and eventually the two lines more or less merge into the Jeep Grand Cherokee.