Jeep® History in the 2000s

2000-2009

The radical 2003 Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon was the most capable vehicle ever produced by the Jeep Brand. A new four-door Wrangler took the industry by storm. The Compass and Patriot were the first Jeep Brand vehicles to reach into the small cross-utility segment.

THE JEEP® BRAND LINEUP GROWS

The merger of Daimler-Benz and Chrysler in 1998 started to show the fruits of collaboration with the introduction of a number of new Jeep_® Brand vehicles. In 2001, a new Jeep_® Cherokee (KJ) replaced the long-lived Cherokee (XJ). A seven-passenger Jeep Commander was introduced in 2006. The Jeep Compass and Patriot (MK) and Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited (JK) were all introduced in 2007. A new Jeep Cherokee (KK) was introduced in 2008. The parent company Chrysler Group LLC entered into a global alliance with Fiat SpA in 2009.

ELEVATED 4X4 CAPABILITY

JEEP® LIBERTY (KJ)

2002-2007

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JEEP® WRANGLER UNLIMITED (TJ)

2004-2007

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JEEP® GRAND CHEROKEE (WK)

2005-2010

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JEEP® COMMANDER (XK)

2006-2010

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JEEP® COMPASS (MK)

2007-2017

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JEEP® PATRIOT (MK)

2007-2017

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JEEP® WRANGLER (JK)

2007-Present

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JEEP® WRANGLER UNLIMITED (JK)

2007-Present

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JEEP® LIBERTY (KK)

2008-2012

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2002-2007 JEEP® LIBERTY (KJ)

INDEPENDENT BY NATURE

The venerable Cherokee (XJ) was phased out in 2001 its replacement was the Liberty (KJ). The new Jeep® Liberty featured time-tested design cues like round headlamps and a seven-slot grille.

2005 Jeep® Liberty Renegade.

Four-wheel drive is via Command-Trac®; Liberty Limited models received Selec-Trac Full-Time 4WD and 3.73:1 axles as standard. For the 2005 model year, Liberty was offered with an optional 2.8L turbo diesel engine and six-speed manual transmission.

2005 Jeep® Liberty.

2004-2007 JEEP® WRANGLER UNLIMITED (TJ)

THE JEEP® LEGEND CONTINUES

In 2004, the Jeep® Brand offered a “stretched” version of the TJ, Wrangler Unlimited. Ten inches longer in wheelbase (103-inch) and 15 inches longer in overall length, the Unlimited offered two inches more rear leg room, more interior space, and greatly enhanced on-road handling.

2004 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited.

The Unlimited was slightly different from the long military TJ-L model, adding five inches of rear overhang but having less space in the mid-body. The Unlimited is unofficially known by fans as the “LJ”.

2004 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited.

In 2005, the Jeep Brand introduced the Rubicon Unlimited–it featured the wheelbase of the Unlimited and off-road features of the Rubicon.

2005 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon.

2005-2010 JEEP® GRAND CHEROKEE (WK)

MORE OF A GREAT THING

The all-new Grand Cherokee (WK) debuted in 2004 as a 2005 model. This revamped Grand Cherokee combined power, luxury and a significantly quieter, more comfortable ride.

2005 Jeep® Grand Cherokee.

Jeep® Brand engineers worked hard to improve on-road refinement by adding a short/long-arm independent front suspension similar to the 2002 Liberty.

2006 Jeep® Grand Cherokee.

The ground-up transformation continued with a choice of three power plants including the mighty 330-horsepower 5.7L HEMI® V8 engine. The 2006 Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT8® featured a 6.1L HEMI V8 with 420 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, 20-inch lightweight forged wheels and four-piston Brembo brakes.

2006 Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT.

The available full-time Quadra-Drive® II 4x4 System featured front and rear limited slip differentials and a center differential-lock which operated in low-range.

An All-New Grand Cherokee (WK) was introduced in 2011.

2008 Jeep® Grand Cherokee.

2006-2010 JEEP® COMMANDER (XK)

THE JEEP® BRAND LEGEND CONTINUES TO GROW

The 2006 Commander was the first seven-passenger Trail Rated® Jeep® 4x4 vehicle. Based on the ‘05 Grand Cherokee platform, the boxy Commander was only slightly longer than the WK (two inches), but a three-inches-higher stepped roofline and stadium-style seating arrangement allowed for an extra row of seats in back.

2006 Jeep® Commander.

The boxy styling on the Commander—with upright windshield and squared-off sides—instantly distinguishes it from its cousin.

2010 Jeep® Commander.

Basic power and drive train offerings were the same as the Grand Cherokee (WK). As with most Jeep® Brand 4x4 models, the Commander carried the Jeep Trail Rated® badge. To be Trail Rated, a vehicle must meet performance standards in traction, articulation, ground clearance, maneuverability and water fording.

2006 Jeep® Commander front grille.

2007-2017 JEEP® COMPASS (MK)

A STYLISH JEEP® COMPACT CROSSOVER

First appearing at the 2006 North American International Auto Show, the Jeep® Compass is a compact crossover SUV that features available Trail Rated® capability (new for the 2011 model year).

2008 Jeep® Compass.

The vehicle is front-wheel-drive with a choice of two available electronically controlled 4x4 systems for all-weather use: Freedom Drive I, a full-time system for on-road use, or Freedom Drive II®, that is off-road capable.

2017 Jeep® Compass.

In 2017 the Jeep® Compass (MK) wound down and laid the path to an all-new Compass (MP) that is an evolution of quality, performance, fuel efficiency and capability.

2016 Jeep® Compass 75th Anniversary Edition.

2007-2017 JEEP® PATRIOT (MK)

CLASSIC STYLING IN A COMPACT CROSSOVER

The Jeep® Patriot is a compact crossover SUV that features available Trail Rated® capability.

2007 Jeep® Patriot.

2017 Jeep® Patriot.

The Patriot (MK) was an extremely popular model that offered numerous adventures over its decade of production.

2017 Jeep® Patriot.

2007-PRESENT JEEP® WRANGLER (JK)

AN ALL-NEW TWO-DOOR WRANGLER

Wrangler is the ultimate, all-American 4x4 freedom machine–the Jeep® Brand’s modern-day descendant of the original, heroic Willys MB.

2016 Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon.

The 2007 Wrangler model's signature round headlamps, iconic seven-slot grille, solid axles, removable doors, exposed hinges, fold-down windshield, innovative removable and convertible tops all honor Jeep® Brand heritage while signaling new levels of capability and versatility.

2007 Jeep® Wrangler Sahara.

With an all-new frame, exterior and interior design, engine, safety and security and convenience features, the Jeep® Wrangler was built on the successful, original Jeep Brand formula.

2012 Jeep® Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited.

For 2011, all Wrangler models boast an all-new interior, and Sahara models feature a more premium body-color hardtop.

2011 Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon interior.

2007-2018 JEEP® WRANGLER UNLIMITED (JK)

AN ALL-NEW FOUR-DOOR WRANGLER

Wrangler is the ultimate, all-American 4x4 freedom machine–the Jeep® Brand’s modern-day descendant of the original, heroic Willys MB.

2009 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon.

With an all-new frame, exterior and interior design, engine, safety and security and convenience features, the Jeep® Wrangler unlimited was built on the successful, original Jeep Brand formula.

2012 Jeep® Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited.

For 2011, all Wrangler models boast an all-new interior, and Sahara models feature a more premium body-color hardtop. Wrangler Unlimited combines superior off-road capability with everyday practicality including room for five adult passengers and the most cargo space ever offered in a Wrangler.

2011 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon interior.

2008-2012 JEEP® LIBERTY (KK)

RUGGED, CLASSIC STYLING FOR LIBERTY

In 2008, the all-new Jeep® Liberty (KK), with its rugged, classic Jeep design, replaced the softer, more rounded Liberty (KJ).

2008 Jeep® Liberty.

On the inside, seat comfort, cargo capacity and passenger room were improved. The Sky Slider® Roof available on Liberty delivered a true Jeep® Brand open-air experience.

2012 Jeep® Liberty with optional SkySlider® Roof.

The venerable Liberty was retired in 2012 and replaced in the lineup by the All-New 2014 Jeep® Cherokee.

2011 Jeep® Liberty 70th Anniversary Edition.