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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  Moms Day Gift - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By Cormic97 - November 1 - 10:00 am

  My husband bought me this year for Mothers Day. I had done all of the research and looked at all of the SUVs out there. I trust the Jeep name, so went with the Liberty Sport. I LOVE LOVE LOVE driving it. It took a while to get used to being a bit higher up than I was in my old car...but so far so good. It is a HUGE gas hog...I am most suprised by how little a tank of gas goes. It steers easy, the CD player plays great...no skips over bumps. Love the tinted windows (and I had to be talked into that!) Kids seem to like sitting in it too. More room inside that it looks. Cant wait to take a road trip in it!

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  This is a great SUV - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By LongBeachCA - October 29 - 10:06 am

  We love our Jeep Liberty Sport. It is fun to drive, has proven reliable over 12,000 miles (not bad for an American car), and has a powerful engine. I like the styling, sound system and rather understated interior. This is a truck and has gutsy truck-like qualities. CRVs are slower and a little too wimpy. The RAV-4? Please, thats for sorority girls. Get the Liberty. Chrysler builds quality vehicles. My only complaints: the gas mileage is pretty poor and the seats could be slightly more comfortable.

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  Money Pit!! Buy something else!! - 2007 Jeep Commander
  By agriffin2 - October 29 - 4:13 am

  I purchased my jeep at 2 yrs old with 38,000 miles on it. It was already out of warranty(thanks Chrysler). Two weeks after purchasing it, I had to replace my shifter bezel to the tune of $500. It has stranded me 5 different times due to a starter issue. One year later, I had to replace the starter AGAIN! Chrysler has not been very helpful with reimbursing me for my troubles. Each Jeep dealer I take it to tells me that my car is a heap of problems. Each fix with it costs me at least $400. I will be getting rid of it soon and Im extremely disappointed in Chrysler.

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  Jeep "ON STEROIDS"! - 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By kenny I. - October 26 - 10:10 pm

  Just picked up my SRT-8 Jeep Feb. 21st. The truck has 49 miles on it. Cant wait to start driving this monster and seeing what this HEMI is all about. Had an E55 2003 Benz, so im all about the torque. My Benz had 516lb. of torque, just a ton. This Jeep just rumbles as soon as i start it. All wheel drive, you cant beat it!

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  02 Jeep Liberty Sport 4wd - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By David Pound - October 26 - 9:46 am

  A very strong and well-built vehicle. Rides nicely and can go off-road easily. Very useful in winter here where we have snow. No problems except ball joint recall.

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  Works for us - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By Randy Fox - October 25 - 12:33 pm

  We bought this for the wife so she could have a safer vehicle for our winters. Winter isnt here yet but we sure love how it drives right now! Nimble steering and great highway ride comfort are 2 big pluses in our book. Gas mileage is about what we expected so we cant complain. (its not even broke in yet!) So far, all we can say is: bring on the snow.

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  I can Tow I can Tow - 2005 Jeep Wrangler
  By TOWBOAT - October 25 - 11:33 am

  Great capability, took it up South Mountain my first weekend, absolutely awesome, drove a 1950 lumber road that was over grown and washed out. Second weekend towed my 17 foot Bowrider up into the mountain roads of Western MD; no problem, 65+ on most hills except the gap. Very steep; engine definitely was working and I heard it. Top down effect excellent with Bikini top; can get blown around a bit at 65, of course I am 63 and I sit higher than most. With bikini top not a problem. Got pulled over for having the doors off in West Virginia. You need mirrors in WV. I got a warning. Down hill with boat trailer wasnt as bad as I thought but it could be better.

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  Fun to Drive - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Firestorm - October 25 - 11:00 am

  I have now had my Jeep for a month with no problems at all. I got this Jeep with 115000 miles and it runs and looks like new. I have heard there are problems with the 1999 Grand Cherokee but I guess by 100,000 miles all of the kinks have been worked out of this one.

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  Jeep Laredo 4x4 - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By G - October 23 - 9:06 am

  This Grand Cherokee may be 6 years old, but its still gorgeous and aging very well. My only gripe on the Laredo model would be the rear plastic bumper. Its hollow and someone recently rear ended the small right "bump" inwards. I was surprised that this being a Jeep, you would think the bumper would be more substantial.

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  Tons of problems!!!! - 2007 Jeep Wrangler
  By DD - October 23 - 2:40 am

  I have been waiting for a 4 dr jeep and I was so excited when it came out. I am sad to say that I have had the jeep in the shop for major repairs 10 times in past year. Cracked top, Steering block broke, Brakes bad, Skim key failed, Wireless key module failed, broken latch, Stalling while driving at any speed, now it wont randomly start while in park. I have to put it in Neutral for it to start sometimes. Dealer cant figure out whats wrong.I keep sending back to the shop. Very inconvenient and frustrating.