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:

• 

  2002 2.5L 4CYL Wranger SE - 2002 Jeep Wrangler
  By raider88 - August 8 - 6:30 am

  This Jeep was driven at Camp Jeep 2003 in the Blue Ridge mountains. Its been through all kinds of trails and weather. This was even good in the snow for a lightweight. I recommend to everyone the following: Get rid of the Goodyear tires! Since I got 215/75/15 BFG AT KO tires, the Jeep has handled even better and it doesnt slip in the rain. Also get a tow hitch and replace the bumpers. I hope to travel south to the Ynes Mountains for Camp Jeep 2005 in California. I did purchase the sliding glass half upper doors from Quadratec.

• 

  First Jeep - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By Frank - August 7 - 7:13 pm

  Not bad, going on my 3rd year with it and still no problems. Lots of power, goes well in the snow. My next vehicle - will be another Jeep.

• 

  Cherokee is good - 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Me - August 5 - 9:23 pm

  This was my first Jeep purchase, I had previously been driving a sporty 2dr pontiac. I have been extremely pleased with the vehicle. It covers all dimensions of what you would want. It still is a "prestigious" vehicle to drive and show off, the off road capabilities are excellent (which is very useful in snow/rain situations, it has enough cargo space to haul a number of different kinds of large items, and the handling at high or low speeds is not that much different than my previous sporty CAR. I commute a total of 40 miles each day, sometimes i take the highway, sometimes regular roads. It performs great on either, and my average MPG on the gauge has been steady at 17.1 - not too bad.

• 

  Jeep has a winner! - 2010 Jeep Compass
  By Joey - August 5 - 8:53 pm

  Weve owned this vehicle for several months now and it has performed beyond my expectations. On a recent trip to upstate New York the 5 speed Compass averaged 32 MPG, which is 3 MPG above the manufacturers claims. The vehicle is fun to drive, responds like a sports car on the curvy Rt. 664 in the Hocking Hills of Ohio where I live as I traverse to and fro work in Athens, Ohio on a daily basis. We are totally impressed with the awesome Chrysler design of this vehicle. Weve been intrigued with Jeep products for many years and are now proud to own this (made in America) vehicle. I am delighted with this vehicle and would recommend it to my best friend. Id rather drive a Jeep than a Toy.

• 

  Jeepetto 2016 Latitude 4x4 Manual 1.4L Turbo Beast - 2016 Jeep Renegade
  By Ryan R - August 4 - 6:39 am

  Jeep and FCA have come up with a very nice and well equipped CUV. Make sure to go with the Turbo 1.4L engine and a manual transmission and you get a excellent driving vehicle as well. None of the automatic transmission horror stories to be found in this set up. Car is peppy, and has good handling for a vehicle with a slight CUV lift. I went with the Cold Weather package. Interior amenities are plentiful on even a stock Latitude model. The package just checked all the marks for a truck that will be used in the Colorado mountains. Look forward to doing some mods on the engine and exhaust, to pull even more pep out of this little Jeep. The Fiat turbo 4-cyl found in the Abarth is very tuneable, and has a excellent after market. I will utilize this once Jeepetto is fully broken in. We also picked the car out in the very nice Anvil Grey offered just in 2016. Good call of jeep to make this color for all the renegades and not just trail hawks Around town getting 24 mpg, with a ton of spirited driving. I received a great deal from Autonation Jeep West. So overall the value is totally there. Hope to have many happy years in my turbo jeep.

• 

  Outstanding - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By cfoster1238 - August 3 - 2:00 am

  My Jeep has been an outsatnding ride, it fact I will drive it for a while, then consider buying another.

• 

  Jeep Grand Cherokee - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Jim - August 3 - 12:10 am

  Very reliable and sturdy vehicle. Have had good luck with this SUV and this is my second one. Great price and plenty of HP for towing. Great vehicle for this New England weather. Have been a proud owner since 2000 and would buy another in about 3 more years.

• 

  Solid feel - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Charles R. Drake - August 1 - 11:06 pm

  Ive owned several Jeeps, Every vehicle has been reliable & I particularly like the "secure" feeling of knowing that when the 4X4 stick is engaged, a whole different vehicle emerges. Not like other 4 wheel SUVs, this has a "solid feel."

• 

  A Love Affair That Wont Go Away - 2001 Jeep Cherokee
  By Charlie - August 1 - 6:56 am

  The 2001 Cherokee has been an excellent mid-sized SUV for family trips and for my wife to carry the grandchildren in around town. It handles very well in the city, is easy to park and can easily handle large loads of luggage or bagged mulch. The decision to stop making the Cherokee can only be equated to the decision some years ago to stop making real Coke. It was a bad decision and all of the Cherokee owners I have talked to have agreed. Wake up Jeep and put the Cherokee back in production with a diesel engine.

• 

  Best Jeep yet - 2003 Jeep Wrangler
  By Stevepilamb56 - July 29 - 10:00 am

  Its hard to describe the feeling of owning my Jeep. I have owned my 2003 Inca Gold Wrangler since December and have been very pleased. The road noise,soft top,engine, and interior design are light years ahead of my old 1989 Wrangler. I love the design and color because it stands out and attracts a lot of attention.