Why the Jeep Wagoneer Is So Badass

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View in Browser    Why the Jeep Wagoneer Is So Badass Jeep didn't create the first SUV. It perfected it.  By Ben Stewart At one time, 4WD vehicles were crude utilitarian machines with little regard for passenger comfort. Vehicles like the Dodge Power Wagon Town Wagon, Chevy Suburban, and International Harvester Travelall were rough-riding rigs that only offered the basics on the inside—not the kind of vehicles that would entice American families used to driving station wagons. But the arrival of the Jeep Wagoneer in 1963 changed all that. Jeep didn't invent the SUV, but the company perfected it, creating a blueprint that others would follow for decades to come.   The Jeep Wagoneer offered nearly the same driving comfort as a car but with 4WD capability, too. It was easy to get into, easy to load with stuff, and easy to drive. It was also more car-like than any other vehicle of its type at the time. Simply put, the Wagoneer was a pioneer, and it lasted with the same basic design 28 years running. With the return of the Wagoneer quickly approaching in 2021, this is story of how Jeep created an icon that stuck—nearly 60 years later. This is a free preview of Pop Mech Pro. Join now for less than $1 a week to read the rest of the story and more of Popular Mechanics' most in-depth, exclusive features.  JOIN NOW MORE FROM POP MECH PRO HOME READ NOW  How I Built a Boat Using Plans from 1935 CARS READ NOW Car Decisions: Should You Buy or Lease...or Subscribe? SCIENCE READ NOW How to Jump from a Moving Train Using Science Follow Us Unsubscribe Privacy Notice PopularMechanics.com ©2020 Hearst Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Hearst Email Privacy, 300 W 57th St., Fl. 19 (sta 1-1), New York, NY 10019