Introduced for the 1966 model year, this nameplate was developed as a compact, purpose-built 4x4 with a more comfortable and road-friendly character than the rugged utility vehicles that inspired it. It quickly became significant as one of the earliest American vehicles to be marketed specifically as a sport-utility vehicle, helping define the segment that would later grow into the modern SUV market. The original run began with a relatively simple, short-wheelbase design aimed at off-road use and everyday versatility, and it remained in production for three decades through the 1996 model year.
After its discontinuation, the nameplate disappeared from the market for many years before returning in 2021 as a completely new, separate production period. The revival drew heavily on the original vehicle’s heritage, but it arrived with modern engineering, updated body styles, and a stronger emphasis on open-air recreation and trail capability. Because of that long gap, the historical record is best understood as two distinct eras rather than one continuous run: the original 1966–1996 generation family and the revived modern version beginning in 2021. The nameplate remains especially important to enthusiasts because it helped establish the American off-road SUV template and later returned as a heritage-minded performance and adventure model.