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:

• 

  I WILL ALWAYS DRIVE A JEEP - 1995 Jeep Cherokee
  By CRYSTAL - October 17 - 10:00 am

  MY MOTHER GAVE ME HER 1995 JEEP CHEROKEE SPORT A FEW YEARS AGO AND I LOVE IT. IT HAS 139,000 MIILES ON IT AND STILL RUNNING GREAT. I HAD HAD TO PUT VERY LITTLE WORK INTO THE VEHICLE. I HAVE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP AND THE IGNITION. (TOTAL OF 300.00 FOR A 1995). GAS MILEAGE IS GOOD FOR AN SUV, AND ESPECIALLY FOR WHAT A SPEED RACER I AM. I FEEL VERY SAFE IN THE VEHICLE AND IT HANDLES GREAT.

• 

  Look Mom, a real SUV. - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By rv - October 17 - 10:00 am

  There are only 3 or four true SUVs on this site that have actually *earned* the classification -- two of which are Jeeps. If you want a car, buy a car. If you want a truck, buy a truck. If you want an SUV, buy a Jeep.

• 

  Awesome - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By Eddybauer1 - October 17 - 10:00 am

  build quality is on par with Japanese, tight off road, no rattles, rides smooth on rough road. Switch gear feels solid, leather is of very good quality, vehicle just feels very solid. on par or better then a bmw x5 comparing interior trim.

• 

  Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited is Awesome - 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Jeff1145 - October 17 - 8:56 am

  My experience so far has been great. Greeat steering, reliable, pickup is REALLY good, has great towing capacity.

• 

  Love it - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By ron - October 17 - 1:50 am

  Rides better than PT Cruiser. wish the CVT was quicker, and would hold hill. Gas mileage is better too (25) or more consistantly. Wish 4x4 was real full time like my Grand Cherokee, no need to pull lever for deep stuff. Like it much better than friends Caliber.

• 

  In Love With My Commander! - 2006 Jeep Commander
  By T. Brown - October 16 - 2:43 am

  Ive had my Commander for about 7 weeks now & I absolutely love it! This is my 1st brand new car & I couldnt be happier. Great suspension. It goes over speed/road bumps like a champ. Yes, it does get less than stellar gas mileage (which is posted on the vehicle info sticker), but if one cant afford to gas it up, he/she should not be purchasing this vehicle. If youre buying a car that has a $38,000+ sticker price, the gas money should not be an issue. I love all of the bells & whistles. I get compliments on mine all of the time. My family & I have taken several road trips & we all love taking it on the highway. Not as pricey as a Land Rover, but just as great, I think. I love this car!

• 

  Glad I took a second look. - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By S Nance - October 15 - 11:26 pm

  I love my Compass. Gas mileage is what they claimed it would be, and so fun to drive. I was looking for something smaller (had a Pacifica) to drive with better gas mileage. Turned out I dont feel I down graded - I love the look and feel of it. Has plenty of pep and love the way the seats will lay flat. Really designed well.

• 

  I love this Jeep!!! - 1999 Jeep Cherokee
  By EJeep - October 14 - 10:00 am

  There is little to nothing i dont love about my Jeep Cherokee. The style is classic and it drives just like a Jeep should. There is no mistaking the fact that i am driving a Jeep. The pick up is unbelievable with the straight six engine. The cargo area is great for someone with a family or for a person who is just really active active. The only problem is the back seat is a little on the smaller side, but Ive been in a few SUVs and it seems to be that way in all of them.

• 

  Fun Vehicle - 2000 Jeep Wrangler
  By Marker - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Great Vehicle! I have the fully sissified version. AC, CD, add-a-trunk, and auto trans. I never thought Id buy the auto-trans but after I drove it around Washington, DC once I had to have it. Parking is very easy. I like being able to go anywhere I want. I may have to sell. The jeep isnt too confortable for my wife, my son (4 months) and I.

• 

  BETTER THAN BENZ,LAND ROVER & MOST - 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By JJG - October 14 - 10:00 am

  I HAVE OWNED MANY JEEPS AND I CAN SAY THAT THEY ARE BETTER THAN ANY BENZ SUV,LAND ROVERS,BMW, ETC.IT HAS THE BEST PICK-UP AND IS A DEPENDABLE VEHICLE,WITH SLEEK STYLING,AND A REASONABLE PRICE..NO VEHICLE IS PROBLEM FREE IN THE REAL WORLD.I HAVE HAD SOME PROBLEMS HERE AND THERE,BUT NOTHING THAT WOULD STOP ME FROM PURCHASING ANOTHER.(WE HAVE HAD NINE IN THE PAST SIX YEARS,BETWEEN 5 FAMILY MEMBERS.