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 looking Jeep - 2007 Jeep Wrangler
  By R Williams - March 11 - 1:13 pm

  This is our first Jeep and it looks great and is fun to drive. Really like the removable freedom top. It has a few loud rattles in the door pillers but someday I will take apart and find. The gas mileage is OK and we tow a 16 foot ATV trailer on weekends OK. We finally got the recall for the stalling in the mail and hopefully that will be solved as it was pretty bad on the highway for the last year losing all power for a few seconds then restarting with no help from Chrysler. It goes to the dealer in the morning and I have crossed my fingers.

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  MITY SUV - 2001 Jeep Cherokee
  By ReblTeen84 - March 11 - 10:00 am

  I come from a family of Jeeps, so it was sorta logoical when i got mine. Grandma had one for 15 years before it caught fire, and she ended up replacing it with another cherokee. Mine does anything i want it to and i have yet to get it stuck anywhere, and thats WITH everything stock. The only thing i did after i bought it was repalce the Goodyears that came on it..disgusting things they were. Put Michelin Cross Terrain SUVs on it. Havnt had any major problems except for a 4x4 issue, but that ended up being a fault of the dealer. Excellent in the snow and off road. Anyways, if you can find one, i highly recommend it!

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  My first Jeep - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By New Jeep Owner - March 11 - 10:00 am

  I love this SUV and will probably buy Jeeps from now on. It is fun to drive, very reliable and comfortble. We were not happy with the dealership at all but that has not influenced our vehicle satisfaction.

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  I cant believe I finally did it! - 2004 Jeep Wrangler
  By P. J. - March 11 - 10:00 am

  I have a buddy who has a Sahara and I loved to drive it. I had talked about getting a Jeep for over a year. Well, my car died and I finally did it. I wanted the Sahara, but they didnt have any on the lot, so I got the X with added A/C, tinted rear windows & upgraded wheels/sound bar. I live in New Orleans, so the ride on the streets can be a little bumpy, but it is a blast to drive! If youve ever thought about it . . . Just do it!!

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  GREAT VEHICLE - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By BOB DEBOW - March 11 - 10:00 am

  HAVE OWNED AND WORKED WITH MANY DIFFERENT SUVS.WAS VERY HAPPY WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF JEEP LIBERTY.DOES VERY WELL IN DEEP SNOW AND OFF ROAD.WAS SURPRISED HOW MUCH THIS LITTLE SUV WEIGHS.THAT WOULD EXPLAIN WHY IT IS SO GOOD IN ROUGH ROAD CONDITION.IT SHOULD HAVE A LITTLE TOUGHER TIRE THOUGH FROM THE FACTORY.OEM TIRES COAUSED IT TO SLIDE A LITTLE ON WET ROAD CONDITIONS.CHANGED TIRES TO A LITE TRUCK TYPE TIRE AND NO MORE PROBLEMS WITH WET ROADS.GREAT VEHICL IN MY OPINION. THANKS

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  survivor - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By pugger - March 11 - 10:00 am

  My daughter survived a head-on collision with a Ford F150 truck with both vehicles going 55 mph. The Jeep Liberty saved her life-she and a passenger escaped with minor injuries- the car was totalled.

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  Jeep rocks! - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By ???? - March 11 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle does everything you ask and much more!

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  Grand Cherokee - A Mans SUV - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By vsionclear - March 11 - 10:00 am

  A Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4 is NOT a suburban soccer moms grocery- shopping, take-the-kids-to-every- unnecessary-social-event mini-van wanna- be. It IS a mans on-road, OFF-ROAD, lets- explore-the world vehicle! AND ITS GREAT!!!

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  Love my Wrangler! - 2006 Jeep Wrangler
  By 06Red Wrangler - March 11 - 4:56 am

  27 years ago, when I was 16, I wanted a Wrangler. But, my dad said "No, theyre not for an inexperienced driver, they roll too easy." So, 27 years later, I have my Wrangler! 2006 Red Wrangler X, 6 speed. I smile every time I get behind the wheel, its so much fun to drive. I love dropping the top and cruising around in the sun. So far, no problems whatsoever. Gas mileage is better then I expected. I traded in a 2004 Jeep Liberty, that at best, got 16 MPG. The Wrangler is averaging 18.6 running around town unless I use the A/C, then it drops to 16.5. Not bad, should get better, its not even broken in yet with 1900 miles on it.

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  First new car - 2009 Jeep Wrangler
  By chn099s - March 11 - 2:23 am

  My wife and I are newlyweds, and we have never owned are own car before. I have driven demos my whole life and my wife has driven her parents 98 Malibu since it was new. We ordered the unlimited Sahara on 3/4/09 and we got it on 3/23/09.