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:

• 

  Reliability to the extreme - 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By crhern - April 9 - 12:13 am

  I inherited my Jeep as a gift, it had 210,000 miles on it and everything was still original. Its an inline 6 limited now it has 240,000 miles on it and only the fuel pump and the radiator have been replaced everything else is still good. As many people say move the spare tire! Its annoying Ive seen a few grand Cherokees where the spare is mounted on the liftgate like any other SUV and the rear window doesnt open other than those two things its awesome good power and ride, comfortable Im definitely getting another Jeep in the future so is the girlfriend

• 

  I LOVE IT! - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By Jess - April 7 - 11:43 pm

  Absolutely love my Jeep Liberty. Its great.

• 

  Jeep Cherokee Review - 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By jeeplover - April 7 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle for two years and have never experienced any problems. I maintain the vehicle, and have always had excellent service, it is dependable and used for work and farm use.

• 

  Jeep Cherokee Review - 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By JeepLover - April 7 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle for two years and have never experienced any problems. I maintain the vehicle, and have always had excellent service, it is dependable and used for work and farm use.

• 

  Superb - 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By oliver - April 7 - 10:00 am

  Initial evaluation is superb. Well- built; handles and rides great.

• 

  2010 freedom drive Latitude, trail rated badge - 2010 Jeep Patriot
  By Heather Johnston - April 6 - 2:11 pm

  First, this is a Jeep. There are no other vehicles which can manage deep sand, snow like a Jeep. You want cheeper 4x4, get a different make. I have owned this vehicle for more than 7 years. I consistently get 21.2 miles around town. Hmmm, does that exist with any other 4x4? The gas tank is small, meaning more frequent fill ups. I hope they make it with a larger gas tank. With seats down, I can fit my 125 lb. shepherd and 75 lb. boxer in this thing along with an American Pitbull weighing about 90 lb. True Jeep enthusiasts say it is only a brand it is not really a Jeep. However, this thing handles like no other vehicle out there. The front control arms needed to be replaced. I hope Jeep improves this in the newer models. The transmission well CVT has its problems, however I still have the original. It is now 2017, my Jeep has over 100,000 miles and still going strong. Runs smooth, no squeaks, creaks, just smooth riding. I had two fords before. One an Explorer the other an Expedition both sounded like they were going to fall apart around 60,000 miles. Neither handled as well as this does in ice, snow or deep sand. Gas mileage remains consistent. I have no idea why Jeeps are rated so poorly.

• 

  94 Jeep Wrangler Sahara in NYC - 1994 Jeep Wrangler
  By viperstyle007 - April 5 - 11:03 pm

  I have had my Jeep since day 1, reliable tough rugged vehicle. This years Wrangler is probably the best of all time, with modern styling and heavy duty construction. Never a major problem, not even a flat tire. I give it regular maintenance and it keeps on going. Now that the Jeep is 11 years old, it is equipped with every high-end accessory known to man for this Jeep, except the stock engine & transmission. It now sits equipped with and Old Man Emu Suspension, and all the ARB equipment from bull bar to lockers. When it snows is when we have most fun! NYC potholes, I laugh and spit at! The only other vehicle I would switch to is a Rubicon. A new beginning!

• 

  the funnest toss-about ever - 2001 Jeep Cherokee
  By Adam - April 4 - 7:20 am

  This is one of the most fun vehicles Ive driven. With secure on road handling and "go anywhere" capability it shows you what a Jeep is all about.

• 

  Love it - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By jane - April 3 - 3:16 am

  Well, Ive only had it for a couple of days now, but so far, its awesome! First day of ownership, it snowed pretty good where I live and it handled great in the snow and ice. Its extremely comfortable with way more room inside then I expected from a Mid- sized SUV. My kids who are teenagers now have plenty of legroom in the back and the rear cargo space holds all that I need. We already own a Jeep Wrangler (1995) which has been more reliable then any vehicle weve ever owned and because of that, we chose the Liberty over the Sorento, Escape and Santa Fe when we test drove all of them. Very happy and Im sure other potential buyers will be as well. Its fun...youll love it!!!

• 

  big red - 1995 Jeep Wrangler
  By Chris G - April 3 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my Jeep from a private owner that knows how to take care of a vehicle. It had 49,000 miles on it, and the engine compartment, interior/exterior were mint showroom condition. Ive driven it to Minn. from NC. and back, all over the NC mountains,and use it as my daily comuter as well. Ive owned other SUVs that rode a little smoother, and a little quieter, but never so dependable. It will go anywhere I want to put it. I just recently pulled the new monster H2 Hummer out of a muddy river bank, because it costs $60,000 for status and not performance.