The Jeep brand dates back to the years after World War II , when Willys Overland's troop and light gear carrier evolved into the CJ line of rugged small SUVs. The CJ evolved into the Wrangler, a model that has been in production for over four generations since 1987 . These rugged SUVs remain Jeep's most recognizable models, and as the old saying goes, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
CJs and Wranglers must be blushing with the awareness that they have inspired a parking lot full of vehicles that could be classified as anything from loose imitations to outright ripoffs. These competitors are all built to go off-road with ease and have adopted the classic Jeep form: stubby, with ample ground clearance and often a removable soft top. We've taken a leisurely, bumpy cruise through automotive history on your behalf to find this assortment of Jeep clones from around the world.
The Suzuki Jimny began life in 1968 as the Hope Motor Company ON360, but when Suzuki bought Hope, it updated the model and, in 1986, began selling it in the United States as the Samurai. The carbureted 1.3-liter inline four-cylinder engine produced only 63 horsepower and took more than 16 seconds to get the Samurai from 0-60 miles per hour.
The Samurai cost $6,500 that first year (equal to about $19,000 today), which was significantly cheaper than the next year's debut-edition Wrangler. That model cost just over $10,000, making the Samurai a great choice for budget-minded buyers who wanted somethin.