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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  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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  Niche Product Delivers Fun Times - 2009 Jeep Wrangler
  By pennfootball71 - July 22 - 9:33 pm

  This is not a car to drive to the grocery store and bring your Grandmother/Mother/Sister/Wife/Girlfriend/Mistress! This is s purpose built "offroad" vehicle with some garnish of comfort. The Navigation system is excellent and leaves "crumbs" to find your way back on an unmarked trail. The 4WD system is best in low range when you lock the front and rear differentials. Do not skimp and get a cheaper Wrangler, you truly get what you pay for with the Rubicon model with beefier axles, better gearing, offroad tires, differentials, and an electronic disconnecting anti roll bar for better wheel articulation.

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  Best car ever - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By lee amaral - July 22 - 4:33 am

  This car has all the features you could possibly want. It is good looking, comfortable, and handles and rides very well. Instruments are all right there in front of you. Power terrific. Transmission with + and - is very handy in the mountains whether going up or downhill.

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  Fun 2nd vehicle - 1997 Jeep Wrangler
  By Frank - July 22 - 4:26 am

  Safer than a motorcycle, able to use more often than a boat. Excellent for farm tours and enjoying the great outdoors. A little more interior room would be nice.Adventure awaits!

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  Great Jeep - 2016 Jeep Patriot
  By Jaclyn - July 21 - 1:09 pm

  Love this jeep Id had a liberty in the past and hated it swore Id never get a jeep again but I got the 2016 Jeep Patriot 4x4 latitude and love it overall gas mileage kind of sucks and rear breaks squeal when breaking in reverse something I need to have looked at sooner than later by have heard its normal on these idk but this has restore my faith in jeep again Ive gone on many adventures in it and its always fun and does really well no matter what I seem to drive through gravel snow puddles mud anything where I live I climb a lot of miles untains as well and its never let me down

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  Jiberty a Jeep/Liberty - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By edward marble - July 21 - 10:00 am

  The Liberty is fun to drive and easy to handle around town. Only down side poor gas mileage, otherwise very happy with this vehicle.

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  Great SUV! - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By American Cars! - July 21 - 2:26 am

  Our new Jeep Grand Cherokee has been a wonderful car so far. The driving experience is a lot of fun. I cannot wait to drive it in the snow, because I know it will do great. This is my first Jeep so far, and I love it a lot.

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  Jeep Wrangler Rocks! - 2008 Jeep Wrangler
  By Bouncer - July 21 - 2:10 am

  My Wrangler is the most fun SUV I have ever driven. I am amazed at how the Wrangler can corner like a car. There is little or no lean in corners. Its a little under powered but nothing terrible. The ride is really quiet with the hard top, but honestly the ride is bouncy. No blind spots but I did put small mirrors on it. Gets tons of looks from people. The 2DR has very little space for cargo, but back seat removes easily. Awesome seat adjustments. Awesome view when driving! You can almost drive this truck like a car. Getting in and out of the Sahara is not pleasant for short people. Seats are comfortable. Stereo, dash is high and close. Fog lights are awesome! Bumper is killer. Love my JK!

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  Excellent SUV - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Terry Kinane - July 20 - 7:00 pm

  This is an outstanding SUV. Very smooth ride, great handling and fun to drive.

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  Jeep Liberty changed my Pure-Jeep mind - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By William Ellard - July 20 - 6:36 pm

  I am a hardcore Jeep fanatic. At first, I thought it was shocking to see Jeep was replacing the legendary Cherokee. Like most Jeepheads, I thought the Liberty just didnt belong in the Jeep family. However, after totaling my Cherokee I took a chance. The Liberty performs just as well as the Cherokee, but with comfort and style that the Cherokee lacks. (And it looks good next to my CJ-5 too!)