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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  Stuck with a Lemon - 2004 Jeep Wrangler
  By LEMONED - March 16 - 2:00 am

  Would be fun to drive if I could get it to shift properly. Ive been driving standard shift vehicles for 36 years. Ive been getting a Loud "clink" when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear and from 2nd to 3rd gears. The service tech at the dealership told me that Chrysler changed transmissions in the 2003 & 2004 Jeeps. That they can not be fixed becase they all do it. It certainly takes the enjoyment out of driving it.

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  Too many problems with the new Jeeps - 2007 Jeep Wrangler
  By alindsey12535 - March 9 - 12:06 am

  I liked my Jeep when I first bought it. They look great, but are not very practical. The interior scratches up very easily. I couldnt get my soft top to fit, so I scheduled 2 different appointments and left it with them all day. To keep my interior from being ruined, I had the hard top put back on. Now the roof leaks any time you take it through a car wash or it rains hard. There isnt any touch up paint for the hard top if its needed. It will scratch easily esp when taking it off the veh. In the heat, the sealant melts and drips a tar-like substance, which will stain the interior. My advice: Buy something a little more practical.

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  Short drivers avoid! - 2016 Jeep Patriot
  By Cheryl - February 24 - 8:03 pm

  Im in this rental for 3 weeks now. I have bruises all over my right knee. There is a panel under the steering wheel that I constantly bump into. The seats are not adjustable enough. Im unable to sit high enough to see, if I want uninjured legs; pushing the seat back, I sit uncomfortably stretched.

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  Nice to look at, Horrific to drive - 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By bobsacamano - February 24 - 4:29 am

  The car drove like a dream for the first 500 miles. Im at 8,200 and every mile in between has been a nightmare. The transmission slams up and down, causing a terribly uncomfortable ride-and remember it has 8 gears so it is constantly changing gears. In the morning, the transmission has become so rough I feel as though I am being rear ended. I have had it at two different dealerships to solve the issues and both have told me it is normal-and if it something were actually wrong a fault light would illuminate. I was issued a case manager with jeep corporate. She refused to return calls-I went three days calling her three times before she picked up.

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  RE: Jeep or Heap? - 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By ann - February 22 - 6:26 am

  Ive had the exact same issues as the post Jeep or Heap. In October, my 03 JCL stalled on the expressway while driving, which I lost the power steering. It would also shut down and power up like it was going to stall, while I was driving. I took it in to a mechanic, which they kept for 3 days because it couldnt be diagnosed unless it stalled on them so I took it home and of course, it stalled. So they picked it up were able to fix the problem. Unfortunately, it is now doing the same thing again. It bucks and seems to want to lose power but catches again. Im paranoid to drive it for long distances. I also had a problem with the power window failing.

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  2003 Cheap Grand Cherokee Laredo 4WD 4.0 - 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Whatquality - February 13 - 10:00 am

  Wow. How can a type of one vehicle be so split? Some love it . Others hate it. Me, I hate it. Since Ive owned this vehicle Ive had 2 sets of rotors replaced. 3 fan relays. Now with a hole cut under the headlight I can replace it in minutes at $65. I now keep a spare. 2 window mechanisms. I cant believe an engineer ever imagined that a thin piece of plastic would ever hold the window up. The hood doesnt stay up. Wouldnt that be a no-brainer? Weight of hood. Strut to hold (I have a piece of wood). Now the best part. The engine dies. Anywhere. At intersections, expressways, in the driveway. And no diagnostic codes. After a couple of minutes right as rain. Dangerous! Illegal?

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  Under powered gas guzzler - 2008 Jeep Wrangler
  By Jaded JK - February 9 - 2:20 am

  After 60 years the Jeep as we know it and have come to love is very much improved, but sadly, with much more to prove. I personally own the 08 Jeep JK, Sahara, Wrangler "California Concept". I got a great deal, considering the bad economy but read my other comments below to appreciate my findings.

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  Total Package - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By Rhino - January 31 - 1:13 am

  1 year owner and 12,000 miles later. Everything works well with the exception of a transmission noise and a loud thump that comes from the rear when the automatic tranny shifts from 1st to 2nd. Dealer says the tranny noise is "normal" -- funny it was not "normal" when I purchased it.

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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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  1999 Jeep Grand cheroke - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By gwcoggin - January 24 - 1:40 pm

  I can not get the brakes fixed, needs a new set of rotors every 10,000 miles. The transfer case goes 20,000 miles between leaks in the transfer case. It is very capable off road and it is a wonderful vehicle to tow behind my Motorhome.