Overview & Reviews

If you're thinking about purchasing a vehicle rugged enough to finesse rocky trails, chances are, one make comes to mind: Jeep. This specialty automotive manufacturer has a long history of producing trucks and SUVs capable of off-highway adventures — so much so that the term jeep is used by many to refer to all SUVs, whether the vehicle in question is a true Jeep or not.

Jeep took root in WWII as the name of the now-iconic four-wheel-drive military vehicle produced by Willys-Overland and Ford for the U.S. Army. The name's origin is somewhat of a mystery; popular belief is that it morphed from "GP," or "general purpose," though others have suggested that it was a nickname derived from a character featured in the Popeye comic strip of the time.

The mid-1940s saw the introduction of the first civilian Jeep, the CJ-2A. It offered many features not available on military versions, such as a tailgate, an external fuel cap and a side-mounted spare tire, and was targeted mainly toward farmers and construction workers.

Civilian Jeeps caught on with the public, and by the 1950s, new models such as the CJ-3B and the CJ-5 had been introduced. The CJ-5 had the longest production run of any Jeep vehicle, continuing for 30 years after its introduction in the early '50s. The company changed owners during this decade as Willys-Overland was sold to Kaiser in 1953.

Jeep broke new ground in the 1960s with the debut of its Wagoneer. Geared toward active families, this early SUV was the first four-wheel-drive vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission. A new "Dauntless" V6 became available as an option on the CJ-5 and CJ-6 in 1965. This was the first time that a Jeep CJ could be equipped with a V6. Packing 155 horses, the engine's horsepower almost doubled that offered by the standard four-cylinder.

By the 1970s, Jeep had changed ownership yet again, with the purchase of Kaiser-Jeep by American Motors Corporation. New models like the CJ-7 and the Scrambler were rolled out. Additionally, the company unveiled some new technology with the introduction of the world's first automatic full-time four-wheel-drive system. Dubbed Quadra-Trac, it was available in the CJ-7 as well as in full-size Jeep trucks and wagons. During this decade, Jeep's fortunes soared as four-wheel-drive vehicles became increasingly popular with large sections of American buyers.

The 1980s saw the introduction of the Cherokee and Wrangler. The Cherokee was one of the first of the new breed of SUVs — high-riding midsize wagons that skyrocketed in popularity as the decade progressed. The Wrangler replaced the CJ series in 1987 and offered the raw functionality of the CJ along with more comfort features. That year also saw the purchase of American Motors by Chrysler, with the Jeep brand becoming part of Chrysler's Jeep/Eagle division. One of Jeep's most popular models, the Grand Cherokee, debuted for 1993. This handsome, midsize SUV offered considerably more comfort and luxury than the smaller Cherokee while still providing stout off-road capability.

Jeep fell under the umbrella of DaimlerChrysler after Chrysler and Daimler-Benz merged in 1998. This partnership resulted in a few new models, such as the Liberty and Compass, though none were able to attain great sales success. In 2007, Daimler sold the Chrysler Group to a private equity firm. It is now under control of Fiat.

More recently, the company has added a couple of enticing models to its lineup (including a four-door version of the Wrangler and the pavement-scorching Grand Cherokee SRT8) and made substantial performance and quality improvements under the hoods and within the cabins. As such, we expect Jeep will not only maintain a loyal group of customers but will also bring new fans into the fold.

User Reviews:

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  RUN FROM THE TRAILHAWK - 2017 Jeep Renegade
  By a. e. fin - August 21 - 10:15 am

  I owned my Trainlhawk three weeks before it went to the service department for the first time. The heated seats came on by themselves without a warning light. They re-programmed the car. Three days later the navigation system would not work, so they ordered a new one. One week later, while pulling up to a red light, the car would not accelerate when the light changed. The Jeep had died and all of the interior functions were still working and I did not feel the Jeep die. Fortunately in rush hour I was not hit from behind. The dealer has now had my Jeep 3 weeks, unable to find out why it died in traffic. Run from this vehicle. This is a systemic problem, with many complaints on the NHTSA website. Jeep corporate has no solution for this vehicles problems.

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  cheap - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By plastic - August 11 - 7:16 am

  Find that it makes a lot of noise on the highway and the engine shakes and rattles.The Interior Design is poor, hard to get at any thing. I would not buy North American again

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  lucky to be alive - 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Max561 - July 6 - 3:23 am

  If you own 2007 Cherokee be very careful. A year ago I turned onto a very busy road and lost all acceleration, with the peddle to the floor all I could get to was 15 mph. I took the Jeep in and they said nothing was wrong and informed me it was most likely bad gas. Apparently this was not the case as it continued to happen almost weekly, and now a year later it happens several times a day. I have had my jeep in service several times for this and they always tell me there is nothing wrong. Someone please give me some advice, I am in a position where I can not sell and I donÂ’t have the money to buy a second car. I feel I am putting myself and other drivers at risk every time I get in my jeep.

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  BUYER BEWARE! - 2002 Jeep Wrangler
  By fife5150 - June 23 - 7:10 am

  My second and LAST Jeep (also bought a 1997 Sport new). Ive had nothing but trouble with Jeep Wranglers. Cant believe I was stupid enough to buy another after all the problems with the first. The 2002 Sahara wouldnt start the other day -- had to have it towed. Im a little more than 3000 miles outside warranty, so the fuel pump module was a nice $600 treat! Mechanic said much is prematurely wrong with this vehicle after his inspection. Total bill $1195! BUYER BEWARE!

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  Awesome - 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By John Saba - June 13 - 9:26 am

  I recently purchased a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with 5.7 liter Hemi engine. I have owned and driven many European and Japanese SUVs but I was totally blown away but this cars performance. It is also very fun to drive. The interior gives you a specially cozy feeling inside. Downside is the fuel economy, which in fact is not much different from any other SUV, doesnt come even close in performance. Also I am 6 4" and although I fit in perfectly well I dont recommend it to anyone taller.

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  Will never own another Jeep - 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By EBJ - June 6 - 10:00 am

  Purchased new in Jan 1997, ran out of gas Feb 1997 due to inoperative gas gauge. Brakes, replaced, windshield leak, repreated visits to dealership to no avail. Currently in 2002, new brakes again $400.00. March, transmission went. Since truck was over 3 years, no help from Daimler- Chrsyler; cost $4,000.00. August 2002, turn signal, winshield wiper computer gone; $200 repair. Sept 2002, fuel pump in the gas tank had to be replaced; $500 repair. It seems that Daimler has done little to improve Chryslers product. If you plan to purchase a JEEP, buyer beware.

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  you can rely its going to break down - 2007 Jeep Commander
  By Josh - May 5 - 2:22 am

  super dangerous! This 2007 Jeep Commander shut down without warning on the freeway. No steering no breaks.! Do not purchase one! You and your family are not worth the risk.

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  A $35K piece of junk - 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Rick vW - March 29 - 7:36 am

  Nothing but electrical problems with Jeeps (I owned 3 and each time I was convinced by the dealer I had an anomalous car). Year 2: driver seat electric stops working. Year 2: door panel comes loose and cannot be attached. Year 3: many tranny problems, leakages, starting problems. $6000 in total cost. Year 4: extreme cracking of seat leather (LOWEST GRADE!), leakage of tranny fluids, loud airplane noise from tranny. Year 5: real electrical problems start: lights wont go out. 3 batteries dead, electric windows will not go up. I get about 170 miles out of 20 gallons, the car drives like a tank and with all the problems it is just garage parked at this point. ASK YOURSELF: $35k for this?

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  Good concept, poor followthrough - 2016 Jeep Patriot
  By Rob - March 18 - 8:00 pm

  If engineering is to automotive as pitching is to baseball, Chrysler has no bullpen... still. Ive owned more than 30 automobiles in my life and only 2 other Chryslers before this, now I remember why. As a lifelong mechanic I have a very strong love of good engineering. It makes working on things much easier, less frequent, and should make the usefulness/usability much more enjoyable. It is in this area that my Jeep falls way short. First Ill start with what I actually appreciate about my little Patriot. The leather seats are visually appealing and hold up quite well to standard use. Steering is tight, feels good with less body roll than I anticipated. Braking is smooth, provided by all wheel disks, and doesnt have any quirks to it, something I love since I live in an area that frequently gets snow. I appreciate the storage spaces seemingly stuffed into nearly every place they can put one (more on one of these particularly later), especially the large cubby above the glove box. Steering wheel audio controls are well located and easy to utilize. The 6sp automatic transmission shift well, not great, but well; perhaps a reprogram of the TCM would keep it from shifting too soon and bogging, this is better than many of these types of transmissions but since it is sourced from Hyundai I suppose it makes sense. The manual shift mode and location of that is far superior in my mind than the thumb button my wifes Focus had, and for this type of vehicle, better in my mind than even paddle shifters. Cargo room is plenty for the size and easily accessible and the back seat is plenty for my kids. Sadly, this is where the good ends and the limp arm of the pentagons pitching team starts throwing wild balls. First, the little 4 squirrel engine is under-powered, noisy at anything above an idle, and considering the lackadaisical acceleration, falls short even in the economy range. I would have happily exchanged some MPG for enough power to get out of its own way without having to rap 5K on the tach. My 2008 V6 Mustang has much more acceleration, far better performance, far less engine noise, weighs more and nearly matches the Jeep at the pump. Considering the Jeep has almost 10 years of "innovation" on the mustang, and even more when you consider how old the for 4.0l V6 design is, I guess I expected more. I know what youre all saying, comparing a mustang to a Jeep is unfair, but its what Ive got. The automatic transmission seems to shift a little early for my taste, causing some bogging and slippage, but not a major deal breaker. And this is where the mediocrity ends and the downright poor comes in, the day to day usefulness. Driving the Jeep is downright one of the most uncomfortable and unusable space Ive ever had the displeasure of occupying. The side bolstered seats are too narrow and dig into my outer thighs and glutes. I know I need a diet, but cmon here, it hurts. As mentioned before, the little storage spots are great, except the phone/cigarette pack one below the park brake handle, making it not only useless but a lesson in ignorance of design. The cup holders... ugh the cup holders. The front cup holders are both impeded by something. You cant pull a cup of coffee out of the front without hitting the shifter that is located directly above it, and the rear is covered by the center arm rest. Every car Ive driven and used the sun visors pull to detach from the hook, these you push which is oddly clumsy feeling. The visors dont cover enough of anything to be useful, when moved to the side dont extend nearly far enough out, and are clumsy putting back. The A-pillar is seeming enormous and the B-pillar is right next to my head if I dont want my knees in my chest making this one of the most view obstructed vehicles Ive been in. Lack of some very basic features like a telescopic steering wheel even when equipped with tilt, blind spot door mirrors, a fuel calculator on even a mid-level equipped package make this seem overly stripped down. There are enough of these little things adding up to the point that there is no indication that the cruise control has been set just gets me irritated. My Jeep has the jack-off drivers seat height adjustment and Im just going to say it "TO THE ENGINEERING WORLD, THIS IS TRASH, QUIT PRODUCING THEM." But, if they will continue, at least leave enough room for a mans arm to access it since I have to open my door to adjust mine.

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  J.E.E.P- Just. Empty. Every. Pocket! - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By Elissa B. - March 11 - 2:31 pm

  This is the first jeep I have ever owned. Purchased it 3 years ago used with 43,000 miles on it. I purchased it for $6000 and thats because it had been my brothers and he was buying new car. He had only had it for 2 years and all problems seemed to have started once it became mine, go figure! It has been in the shop more than ANY other vehicle I have ever owned. Over $3000 worth of repairs thus far. I have had front end work done multiple times, ball joints tie rods etc... throttle control problems, power steering pump problems and so many more that out of sheer frustration at the moment I cant even remember the rest! I have been told that framework on rear end is completely shot. Rusted out and unsafe to drive. I live in upstate NY and am use to driving in horrible winter conditions and because of frame problems I have handling issues and slide all over the place on roads with even the tiniest amount of snow on them while going 20mph!! From my research, all of these problems are typical of this vehicle and it looks like the most expensive fix is going to be the current framework problem. DO NOT BUY THIS CAR!!!! Dont be as stupid as I was!!!!!! In the shop more than the road, total money pit!