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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  problem from the start - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By patriot is a lemon - September 26 - 6:00 pm

  I bought my Jeep Patriot in April 2008, i have had problems ever since i drove it off the lot. To date the electronic clutch has been replaced, the master cylinder and booster has been replaced, the windshield has been resealed, front power windows dont stop when button released, right rear hub and bearing assembly replaced, basically this jeep has been a nightmare we traded a very good mini van for this jeep and Im left with a lemon and cant make lemonade, I asked the dealership to take it back when they told us two months after we bought it the type of repairs needed, the said THEY WERE NOT IN THE BUSINESS OF RETURNING VEHICLES, well Im not in the business of buying lemons.

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  Oh No! - 2007 Jeep Commander
  By elkrunn - September 14 - 1:43 am

  Its going to be a year since I bought this Jeep. Not dependable at all..do not take this Jeep off road..will get stuck..ice,snow have to be careful since the 4x4 will auto turn on and it does not work at all. Has blind spots, plastic plastic everywhere, the visor was not planned well you cant see the road. Windshield the worst thing ever Im scared that thing will bust, I can go on. Last night I almost hit a huge moose. I had my little one with me, I slammed my breaks and turned my wheel to avoid hitting this huge animal. The car did not stop on contact my car slid sideways, I was shocked this car did not stop. This is a 4x4 and did not act like it..the seat belts worked, wow

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  Could not hate this car more! - 2016 Jeep Patriot
  By Kari Zimmerman - September 6 - 5:24 pm

  What a piece of crap. I readily admit that my credit is a bit challenged and so I was basically forced into this car. It is cute and comfortable and Im a single mom who needed more reliable transportation for my family. Also, while attending work meetings, I needed a vehicle that would not be embarrassing to be seen getting into afterwards! So, into the Patriot I went. Cute and comfortable is about all the good I have to say about this rattletrap. There is absolutely no power, the engine is better suited to a Geo Metro or something. It cannot pull the weight of the Patriot at all. This also contributes to the utter lack of acceleration and low gas mileage. The Bluetooth barely works - I have ended up literally screaming at my dash, trying to get it to understand the number I am asking it to dial. Note - that doesnt work either... First world problems, I know, but if it exists within the vehicle I am paying for, it would be nice if it worked. The tires slip in the rain - Im in Washington, so you can imagine how fun that is - and the snow is impossible. I can drive in it, but the vehicle cannot. My brakes began squealing about a month after I purchased the car. And now, after owning the vehicle for about 14 months, my alternator just went out. I drive quite a bit between my work commute and weekend adventures and I am so incredibly disappointed in this purchase. In short, run, dont walk from this awful vehicle. Getting a 4-Runner next time!!

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  UNRELIABLE - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By BTU - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Do not even think about purchasing a Jeep Grand Cherokee. I have had nothing but problems from the start. The rotors needed to be sanded down at 13k miles (at my own expense), the computer has been replaced, the steering column and ignition have been replace and now the hydrolics on the brake system have failed. If you do foolishly purchase a Jeep make sure to buy an extended warranty with rental car included. Youll need it. You will be driving the rental more than the Jeep. Trust me.

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  HORRIBLE vehicle: DO NOT BUY - 1999 Jeep Cherokee
  By rickd9 - July 25 - 9:58 pm

  This is the worst vehicle on the planet. Constant "Death Wobble" issues. Poorly designed. Aggravating Crank Position Sensor issues arise throughout the year (engine will not get spark causing no-start issues).

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  HUGE disappointment! !!!! - 2015 Jeep Patriot
  By J marie - July 13 - 6:13 am

  I purchased my 2015 patriot sport 6 weeks ago with only 4k miles on it . Now I know why. Major engine and transmission problems. It doesnt want to shift properly and doesnt wanna go. I was almost rear ended because the engine started racing, the RPMS were in the danger zone and it didnt want to excellerate, it literally just wanted to stop in the middle of the road . Its in the shop and still waiting for the tech to call me back . Dont feel safe in this vehicle, and now that I Googled the issue I see other people have the same problem !!

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  NEVER AGAIN - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By cpallam - May 21 - 4:33 am

  This vehicle was first car that I purchased along with being my first JEEP ever and let me just say that NEVER again will I step foot onto a Jeep Dealership. It could be the fact that they transmission they put in the vehicle is not serviceable as in you cant even have fluid added( was told this by a lady in the service department at the dealership)or could it be that the awful squealling sound when you go in reverse and use your brakes is only fixable by going 40mph and slamming on your brakes, or that I only have one more turn on the rotars and its already warping again. Lets not mention the HORRIBLE blindspots that have contributed to SEVERAL close calls!

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  Do NOT buy a JEEP - 2005 Jeep Wrangler
  By herman - April 24 - 8:16 pm

  I purchased a 2005 Jeep Wrangler Sport with 4wd and the inline straight six cylinder motor used with only 1400 miles on the odometer. It looked so great sitting at the dealership I had to have it.(Despite all the warnings about Chrysler products) This was the worst vehicle I ever bought. The fuel economy was terrible for such a small vehicle with hardly enough room for 4 people and no cargo space whatsoever. I suggest all families to stay far away from this vehicle because there is no room for anything. It was very loud to drive and the soft top was very noisy. Also if you plan to go over 60 mph be ready to hear the wind. I quickly traded it back in after 4 lousy months.

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  keep your money - 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By kds2 - April 4 - 7:16 am

  I saw this vehicle and it looked like a good car. Well, I could not have been more wrong. At 90k the transmission needed a full rebuild. At 95k the 4x4 went out along with the exhaust needing replaced. Keep in mind this Jeep never went off road. We only drove it when there was snow in the ground. Shortly thereafter both axles needed replacing. By this point we had had enough. We sold it for $4000 under valuation just to get rid of the thing. Buying that thing was the biggest mistake we have made to date. It just made me realize how much I missed my Nissan Pathfinder. If I were you I would pay a bit more for the Pathfinder ... I think you will be happier in the long run.