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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  They are all lemons - 2006 Jeep Liberty
  By guest00021 - December 28 - 11:10 am

  Replaced 3 regulators under warranty, and 1 after warranty. Because they changed the design (yet, they didnt improve it), it requires the window to be replaced too. Total bill is about $800 per incident, and its a repair that has to be repeated every once in a while for each window. Im up to my 6th regulator being broken, 3 under warranty, 1 at my cost, and 2 that I decided not to fix (a stick was placed inside the door to keep the window from falling). Ive only got 4 years and 65000 miles on it. Interior is very plain. Dont expect storage space. The manufacturers manual doesnt even fit in the very small glove box. I cant believed I got taken that way.

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  Big disappointment - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By Rick - December 19 - 10:50 pm

  The rear hatch latch had to be repaired 3 separate time. Now the A/C compressor clutch has gone out after only 40,000 miles. After markets dont even carry the part because they said it should not have failed already. Jeep customer service has been no help in either case. I wont buy another DaimlerChrysler product based on how they treat their customers. Two wheel drive in the snow is terrible. The windows make an awful noise when all are down, it sounds like a helicopter inside the Jeep. The luggage rack makes a whistling sound when crossbars are on. Exterior is a poor design and interior does not have enough room.

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  Waste of Money - 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By MCPEE - December 19 - 10:00 am

  Unless you are a mechanic and enjoy to get under the hood, do not buy. CV Boots, electrical, water pump, AC and front mirror all had to be replaces/fixed. Costing a bunch as well asthe headaches of taking it in and not knowing if the mechanic is screwing you over or not. I will never buy a jeep again. Like the other guy, Toyota is the next new car for me.

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  Worst car Ive ever owned - 2014 Jeep Cherokee
  By countryboyrmx - December 15 - 5:44 pm

  Whats broke on it so far: Cruise Control - Gets going over speed set going downhill. Set to 70mph and seen it go over 86mph. Radio - randomly duplicates mp3 files Radio - randomly freezes and reboots while driving. Engine - 17k miles and started leaking oil Broken fog light switch - shoved into dash. broken at factory Fuel door - freezes shut in winter and need hot water to open it Shifting - loud pops as it goes into gear at times and upshifts on hills and lugs down Shifter - Went to put it into gear and shifter broke

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  Disgusted In my Jeep - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Disgusted in my Jeep - December 10 - 4:43 pm

  My 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited Hemi is a big pile of junk. Ive had nothing but problems with it since buying it in 2008. I had to replace the Starter at 60,000. Fuel Pump at 65,000. Transmission at 77,000. Power Steering Pump and Line at 78,000. 4 new tires at 55,000 miles, battery at 60,000. I feel like the jeep is in the shop more than I have driven it. Very unreliable but have so much stuck into it, feel sick to trade in. Currently my Service 4WD system light came on and I just got it back from getting a new Power Steering Pump. Dealer has been nothing but rude. We will never but another jeep again.

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  Diesel disaster - 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By pmoriarty - December 2 - 10:30 pm

  Nice looking and fun to drive, but spends most of its life at the dealer. Check engine light on for most of its short life. Dealer cannot fix emissions problems and my Rejected inspection sticker is running out. Car will be illegal to drive shortly and have no fix. Unbelievable. Avoid this vehicle at all costs!!!

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  Disappointed - 2016 Jeep Patriot
  By Richard Hendrix - November 22 - 5:08 pm

  My new 2016 Jeep Latitude came with a rough idle when stopped and squeaky brakes. The dealer says this is normal for this model and nothing can be done. It is not what I expect in a new vehicle. I have owned many new cars in my lifetime and I have never experienced these problems on any other vehicle. When I complain to then service manager he basically just shrugs.

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  Jeep - never again - 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By 1996 Jeep Grand Cher - November 14 - 2:16 pm

  I have the 4.0 liter, 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. Had 65,000 K when I bought it. Worst car I have ever owned. I am shopping for a replacement now. I have replaced catalytic convertor twice, out again. Cracked exhaust manifold, hoses, radiator,crank shaft sensor (going out again I believe), idle motor also. Have to hit starter 6 to 8 times to connect. I am 64 years old and put 5,000 miles on it a year..so rough treatment is not the excuse.

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  Dont do it! - 2007 Jeep Wrangler
  By Chest - November 5 - 12:36 am

  This is the worse purchase Ive made in a vehicle. Its been in the shop 3 times! It left me on the side of the road one too many times. The engine light has come on twice already. The engine needed a lot of work. Hey, guess what? The engine light is on again! This time it is for the cat converter efficiency. How the heck does a cat converter go bad in two years! The dealer will fix at no charge, but I am waiting for the next time the "check engine" light comes on. Maybe a couple weeks? I hate this vehicle. I will never again buy American!

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  Stay Away: - 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By trade99 - October 10 - 4:24 am

  The worst car that I every bought in my 36 year driving career. I have talked four people out of getting this car already and will continue to do so. Not comfortable, little driver seat that feels like an oversized toddler car seat, dangerous to drive because of limited visibility through side rear windows, steering controls broke three times and the car does not stop quickly in the snow. I almost got into a accident this past winter because the car did not stop and I ran into an intersection. The price for the car is reasonable but you pay for what you get. I have not gotten any positive help from the Chrysler Corporate Office and they only "pass the buck." Stay away!!! Thank you.