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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  dont buy Jeep - 2014 Jeep Compass
  By grammielil5 - August 24 - 8:13 pm

  I bought one and had to sell it back within 3 months due to seal of driver side window/door doesnt seal. In service X 3 and Jeep notified by me.......Now I see everywhere on internet numerous compaints! I just got subaru outback and its great and made all in America

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  Wish I never bought it - 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Brittany Yaeger - August 19 - 11:35 am

  I loved my 2012 certified pre-owned Jeep once I made the switch from my small little mini. I was expecting far less problems/issues than I was having with my Mini. That wasnt the case, I have only had the car for 2 years and have been in and out of the dealership for repairs. It is always something, one year in- my keys stopped working, had to get the car towed (and pay for the tow) to the dealership. They said the keys malfunctioned- it would be $675 to replace. Why did this happen? Their response, these things just happen. Great. Then my windshield wiper fluid nozzles broke (never experienced that before...quoted me $200 to fix, yet the part is $8 bucks...I will deal with myself) Now some nozzle is messed up in my engine $3,200 to fix and its not covered by my top of the line warranty. Getting rid of it right away. Too many issues, too expensive- oh and when your car is at the dealership, good luck finding a way to get around for days at a time, no loaners and shuttle only up to 10 miles from dealership. What a joke.

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  3000 Miles already Crap - 2015 Jeep Patriot
  By Amy Hamblin - July 23 - 2:01 am

  I have only had my 2015 Patriot for 2 months and already having issues with dashboard lights not coming off and now I have a wiring issue to where my radio half the time wont work!!!! For all the money I spent on this car now I wish I got something different.. Im not impressed with it at all!!!!!!!

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  The Worst Car Ever - 2010 Jeep Liberty
  By libertydisappoint - July 17 - 8:43 pm

  Bought the car 2 months ago. Its been in the shop 5 times already. The heat stops working every time. Customer service is terrible. Corporate is unavailable. The car was a waste of money. Daimler Chrysler will not do anything for me. They should take the car back because that is the right thing to do. Daimler Chrysler said that they wouldnt. This car is unsafe and unreliable. Nobody should purchase one if they dont want the burden of a really bad headache.

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  Never again - 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Paul - July 16 - 11:03 pm

  I bought this Jeep based on the fact that I see them everywhere and liked the looks of them (and the lease was attractive). I used to drive a 1996 Grand Marquis with 210K miles on it and this thing made me miss that car. Windows didnt work right, moon roof never operated correctly (they didnt open or close correctly). The heat was horrible - either sweltering or freezing, no control. Seats were brutal. And to top it off, I opted for the v6 for "economic" reasons and settled for 15 mpg. A joke. Go for a Chevy or Toyota.

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  Better Be Willing to Live with Problems - 2007 Jeep Wrangler
  By Nic - July 8 - 4:50 pm

  Bought this a while back and we just got rid of it because of all the problems we had with it. Transmission jumped from gear to gear, roof leaked, door rattled excessively. Just because its a "Jeep" doesnt mean they can put out crap. Pros - handled well in the snow with good traction and decent mpg if you drafted semis.

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  not happy with Chrysler product. - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By Ouellette, Norman J. - July 6 - 9:30 pm

  Nice looking,decent ride, poor mileage 16.6mpg over 17 months. Very loud engine; not at all happy with this product. First time Chrysler owner will not purchase another ever again. May be good off road?

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  Grand Cherokee Overland: misery loves company - 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By scaredofmyjeep - June 26 - 7:20 am

  Thought my problem were so unusual that I would get support til I read these entries. Transmission:Routinely refuses to change gear. Have to shift it into Sports mode and then back into regular mode to get it out of 1st gear; b. has started popping out of gear into neutral while the car is in motion and will not go back into gear. 2. Cruise Control doesnt work. 3. Engine light remains on all of the time. 4.FCW cruise control and Select Terrain dont work even after module replaced 5. navsystem wanders off road constantly, 6. USB plug inop 7. phone periodically disconnects w/service alert 8.locked itself with key(and dogs) inside Ready to sell at a $10k loss. piece of junk.

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  Never again - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By sad jeep owner - June 22 - 10:00 am

  When I purchased the Jeep, I thought I was getting a great SUV. Boy was I wrong. I have had power window motors go out, power door locks go out, had to replace the gas tank, had a new power seat and power seat back and dont even get me started on the problems with the brakes on this vehicle. Ask anyone who has owned one, the brakes are a major design problem. Jeep sent a service notice out about a $400 kit to fix the brakes but do they offer to take care of the buyer of their car. No! This will be at my expense and guess what, Im not going to do it. Stay away from this car. Im selling mine as fast as I can.

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  jeep - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By charles colbert - June 11 - 10:00 am

  we do not like where the window buttons are. they should have left them on the door just like all the other jeeps like the limited we own we will not buy onother jeep lik this. also when you push on the gas you go no where, it uses just as much almost as our 5.2 liter, they should offer the 4.0 in the liberty.