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 fun to drive Jeep. - 2006 Jeep Commander
  By Alex - April 7 - 3:43 pm

  I got 5.7 Hemi. Great driving experience. Permanent 4X4 + rack and pinion steering + relatively firm suspension make handling just great . I used to have Yukon Denali 2001. If it goes over 85 you have to grip the wheel. This one, I tried even 110 mph. Rides smooth!!!. Breaks are also good. Perfectly drives on snow. Of course you have to watch for a body roll. But, hey, it is SUV not a Corvette. Had Ford Expedition 1997 and Yukon Denali 2001, this rides the best. With my medium heavy foot I still get 15.9 on highway. City is around 15. My wife with her not so heavy foot can get 17.5 on the highway. Seats are very comfortable.

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  Love my XJ! - 1996 Jeep Cherokee
  By bigmackloud - April 6 - 10:00 am

  It will be a sad day if i ever have to part with my XJ. its fun to drive, very quick for an SUV, and its awesome off-road. rides nice, the engine is very torquey, also the 4.0L I6 engine lasts forever. the back seat is small, not really ment for large adults on long trips. cargo area is decent. my spirited driving style nets around 18mpg, mixed driving. as high as 22mpg on the hwy. very reliable. doesnt have problems w/the little stuff breaking like in other cars. there are noises, but thats the Jeep trade mark. so far the noises havent caused any problems in almost 100K miles, so im not worried.

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  The perfect Jeep - 1998 Jeep Cherokee
  By deadeye - April 6 - 10:00 am

  Bought used from a lease reseller. I previously owned a Commanche truck, and loved the truck. I am very, very happy with the Cherokee. I get 20 mpg on the daily commute to work and on the highway. Not much stop and go driving though. Recently I stopped at a business and next to me was a woman with a Cherokee same year and style as mine. She asked if I liked mine, and said she loved hers "I can do anything I want with it!" That is the JEEP thing.

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  Its a Jeep Thing - 2005 Jeep Wrangler
  By Totenkopf3 - April 5 - 6:53 am

  The absolute, bar none best factory 4 wheeler ever produced. If that doesnt excite you dont buy a Rubicon because you wont appreciate it for what it is. If youre an on-road warrior you will likely be unhappy with the very characteristics that make it such a supreme off roader. Purpose built for the boondocks, she isnt built for comfort or speed. Know and appreciate what youre buying and youll love the Rubi.

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  Jeep Compass 2011 - 2011 Jeep Compass
  By laurarnp - April 4 - 10:16 am

  I traded in my Honda CRV for my Jeep 2011 Compass and am VERY pleased. I was going to get the Chevy Equinox based on Edmonds ratings, but when I started asing around I found nothing but negative things about that car from people I know who owned one. I do not go off roading but I do drive in ice, snow, rain etc etc to get to work and 4WD and affordability as well as safety were my top priority. I was referred to Jeep by a few friends of mine who have had great experiences with them and I can say that I am very happy with my choice as well. I do not feel the cabin is noisy - I thought the CRV was WAY worse. It is a little slow on pick up but nothing too inferior to the CRV.

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  Thank God for my Jeep - 2006 Jeep Commander
  By Grandma - April 3 - 12:10 am

  My 17-year old Grandson rolled my Jeep Commander last night and was not hurt. It is totaled because of bent frame but he and friend in it were safe.

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  I love my Jeep! - 2000 Jeep Cherokee
  By amylee85 - April 2 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Cherokee used with 25,000 miles on it and have had no problems. I put around 90 miles on it per day so it gets a lot of use. It is extremely reliable and fun to drive, not too big & not too small.

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  After checking out all options - 2017 Jeep Cherokee
  By D Macker - March 31 - 6:59 am

  We went to the Detroit Auto Show and checked out all the SUVs at the show plus the new Pacific. We narrowed down our options to the Cherokee, the Ford Escape and the Buick Enclave. We went to a Ford dealership, Chrysler and Buick. We could not get a car in our price range to buy at all at the Buick dealer, we could not get a 6 cylinder in a Ford Escape unless we waited 6-8 weeks. At the end we got the Jeep Cherokee because they had a 6 cylinder loaded with sun roof, and a lot of upgrades for less the 35,000.00. If you have not priced cars in the last 8-10 years you will have sticker shock.

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  love my Jeep but... - 2003 Jeep Wrangler
  By bitharvest - March 30 - 11:03 pm

  We have owned 3 Wranglers, and 15 other Jeeps. This one is great in the sunshine and the snow, and can be loads of fun. That said, I must say that the gas mileage is horrible (10-13mpg around town); that as soon as it rains its all over the road; and that the paint quality is the worst I have ever seen on any vehicle, including late 80s GMs. My jeep is babied (hand washed, waxed, etc.), and the paint is still peeling off. Our two grand Cherokees purchased around the same time do not share this problem, so this is something exclusive to Wranglers. Yes, its a lot of fun, but I wish that Chrysler would have made the Wrangler with more love!

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  my white jeep - 1991 Jeep Wrangler
  By 97irrover - March 30 - 2:00 am

  love the outdoor feeling of the jeep although a pain in the colder months