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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  Great Truck - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By THH963 - August 12 - 12:13 am

  Purchased my 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee used w/approx 47,000 miles on it & traded it in 3 1/2 later with approx 84,000 miles on it. I put new Firestone Destination tires on it & got it aligned right after purchase. Got new rear brakes @ approx 70,000 miles & replaced front & rear shocks @ 74,500 miles. Aside above I have only done regular service checks. The truck has been great & reliable (drove it from NY to CA) experience. It is much more comfortable than Id ever expected, even after 14 hours of driving. By now, anyone buying a V8 Jeep should know about its 15 mpg gas mileage, quit complaining thats not why you buy a Jeep & same with the brakes. Not the best, but they stop you.

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  RR - 2007 Jeep Patriot
  By David - August 10 - 8:46 pm

  Awesome! great value for your money, and is a very well built SUV.

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  WYSIWYG - 1996 Jeep Cherokee
  By tommy d - August 10 - 10:00 am

  Great, functional, fun to dive vehicle. If you want a bigger back seat or more stowage, buy a Suburban. Fun to drive (short wheel-base) but drives like a truck... built on a truck chassis... duh!

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  DAMN DRIVE TERRAIN - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By IWANTANIMPORT - August 10 - 10:00 am

  I BOUGHT MY JEEP A YEAR AGO AT 35OOO MILES. I HAVENT HAD ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL I TOOK IT TO A SKI TRIP. I DONT KNOW IF IT WAS THE COLD WEATHER THAT MADE THE TRANSMISSION SLIP, BUT WHEN I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A GOOD THING I BROUGHT IT IN WHEN I DID. IT COSTED ME AROUND 1700 DOLLARS TO GET IT REPLACED. CHRYSLER, I LIKE THE DESIGN AND UR ENGINES BUT DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE SQUEAKING OF THE DIFFERENTIALS, TRANSMISSIONS AND BRAKES IN COLD WEATHER...IM LOOKING INTO JAPANESE VEHICLES. MAKE IT RELIABLE

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  jeep - 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By go - August 10 - 10:00 am

  fast and fun to drive with great mpg

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  Just For Fun - 2003 Jeep Wrangler
  By 03 Wrangler SE - August 10 - 10:00 am

  After several months with my Jeep, I am very happy with my purchase. I only wish the weather would cooperate so I could leave my top off more often. For 2003, the seats were re- designed and they are much more comfortable than prior years. Total Fun in the Sun!

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  my second SUV - 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By salshashark - August 10 - 10:00 am

  this is a fantastic SUV. after driving an explorer XLT for a year my overland feels like a jag. handles well, on the test drive took it off roading and it felt great. gravel or dirt roads you wont even notice. i am excited to drive everywhere now.

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  2004 Overland 2WD - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By MyNewJeep - August 10 - 10:00 am

  Great Jeep, Great Price, Great Deal!

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  Amazing vehicle - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By Anthony D - August 8 - 9:33 pm

  Ive had this vehicle since August of 2003 and can only say its INCREDIBLE. Ive only had minor problems with it, a couple sensors that cost me about $35 each ( using my own CODE reader I got on ebay for $10 and finding the problem myself ) and installed in myself minutes. Fan belt started going at 19000, replaced free. Replaced muffler and front brakes so far at 100,000 and did ALL maintenance at the proper time. Doing this has kept it MINT, engine is almost new looking also as very little dirt gets in there. Since I installed a Hydrogen system ( 3 month process ) Im getting about 5mpg better than before so no reason to get a smaller vehicle for Gas sake. LOVE IT.

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  Some things you love like to bite you - 1995 Jeep Cherokee
  By Braz - August 8 - 9:10 pm

  I had this vehicle for a little more than 4 years. I loved to drive it, although gas was a bit less back then. I had to break down and trade because, first the door nearly fell off, I had 2 oil leaks that were fairly costly ($500 total) the hatch leaked so badly that it would pour the rain inside. I would probably get an average of 19-21 +- mpg. I would have liked a heads up before I bought it.