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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  GOOD FUN CAR - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By ryan2333 - January 28 - 10:00 am

  This is a good buy fun to drive all around a good car Love jeep

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  Awesome Jeep - 2007 Jeep Commander
  By Waffen72 - January 28 - 7:00 am

  My wife and I love our new Commander. Fun to drive, great road visibility, quiet ride, very comfortable seating all around. The 3.7 V6 delivers plenty of power, and is very responsive with its electronic control fuel injection.

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  TOTALLY DISSATIFIED - 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Kelly - January 28 - 6:10 am

  This is my first American car and after 22months and 20,000mile my water pump, disc brakes and now my cam lifters has to be replaced. Thank God the car is still under warranty. This car has too many repairs and recall which I didnt mention. For such a stylish looking and pricey car, I you would think since jeep has been at this for such a long time they would have made a better product. Jeep doesnt needs these problems just correct them and you will be on top for a very very long time.

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  I love my Jeep! - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By sugar00101 - January 28 - 5:56 am

  Great vehicle. Very easy to park, and I am bad at parking. Handles well. Very comfortable. Even after 12 hours of driving in one day, my back and neck was not sore like it would have been in previously vehicles owned. I have owned this Jeep for over 2 years now, and it has only been to the shop once for a battery change, and I put a lot of miles on vehicles. It is up to 90,000 and has a lot more in it. I would recommend this to anyone. Great get up and go, cold ac, I love the chrome accents, I wasnt 100% crazy about the body, but it grew on me quickly.

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  New Ride - 2016 Jeep Cherokee
  By stewaz - January 28 - 3:19 am

  Just upgraded from a 2007 Cherokee and this blows it away. Love everything about this vehicle.

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  Update After 6+ Months - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Evlengr - January 27 - 2:36 pm

  Well I am back with a 6+ month review. This vehicle still gets very poor gas mileage. 15.673 per gallon to be exact (calculated by taking current mileage and dividing by gallons used to fill tank ---- 40 times). It still has a horrible tendency to down shift like a 67 Chevelle station wagon. Baaaaam! Is the best way to describe it. Sometimes bad enough to think you have been rear-ended. This is my third Jeep. And my last. Steer clear of Jeeps. That are not what they once were.

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  Jeep should be ashamed.. - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By slh22 - January 27 - 10:06 am

  I purchased my Compass brand new in 2007 and was so excited to have a reliable vehicle--wow was I wrong! Since buying my Jeep, Ive had nothing but repairs. A new transmission around 30,000 miles, new sway bar, two new ball joints, front and rear brakes replaced, and now both of my outer tie rods need replaced--all of this with only 65,000 miles on it. Jeep really should be ashamed of the poor quality they put into this model. Coming from a "Jeep Family," I will never buy another one.

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  Great car, poor seating layout - 2007 Jeep Commander
  By charlie scott - January 26 - 6:26 pm

  I love everything about this car with one exception, this should be a 5 passenger vehicle. Do not buy it if you plan on using the third row. As it is now, both the second & third row are way too cramped. Two adults in the second row are uncomfortable after 30 a 30 minute trip. If you only have small kids in the second row youre fine. This car is not as large as Jeep seems to think it is. The seond row seats do not slide back & the third row is a complete waste. Gas mileage sucks, but you already know that if you are looking at this type of vehicle :-)

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  I think overall it was a good purchase. - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By jglen - January 26 - 10:00 am

  I think the Jeep is beatiful, and it runs excellent. Ive kept it in good shape, and pretty much the only thing I regret about it is not getting the sunroof. It has needed only the following minor repairs, so I think the 100k miles extended Chrysler warrantee I got was necessary: some problem with a transmission seal, the lock mechanism wouldnt let me start the car one day, fuel pump needed to be replaced. So only twice in 2 years I have not been able to drive it. The warranty covered 100%. so It was not bad at all, considering this Jeep is an awesome ride, very comfortable in long and short drives,

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  Old Faithful - 2000 Jeep Cherokee
  By ScottR - January 26 - 4:23 am

  I got my Cherokee brand new in 2000, and upgraded to a Wrangler in 2008, 120K miles later. I still have the old Jeep and use it for Home Depot runs and driving in the snow when my wife is using the Wrangler. I beat the heck out of it in the first few years, and honestly didnt maintain it too well. But its a workhorse; except for brakes, tires, fluids and filters, it still has 100% original parts, has never left me stranded and to this day the engine starts right up on the hottest and coldest days, and the drive train still performs like new. Those I-6 engines have to be the best-built engines around -- I wish they still put them in the Wranglers.