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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  Rubicon Fanatic - 2006 Jeep Wrangler
  By Mike - March 24 - 4:16 pm

  I took the giant leap from a 2000 Toyota Camry to a 2006 Rubicon, and even though the gas mileage is a major difference the Jeep is a much better choice. I always hated the phrase,"Its a Jeep thing, you wouldnt understand." That was until I bought one. I have never had so much fun owning and driving a car as I have this Jeep, if you dont own one you dont understand and if you do own one you cant explain it.

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  Now I am happy to be rid of it - 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Happy Now - March 24 - 8:56 am

  I leased this vehicle for the fact of always wanting a jeep. After 5 months I wanted out of the lease. Poor gas mileage, small interior room, poor build quality. I guess this is a testament to the outgoing Chrysler owners. The truck had 2 transmission problems in the time I had it and 2 rear window issues. Loved to have a truck and 4WD. Needless to say i am a Very Happy Honda 2010 Pilot Owner now.

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  Jeep Jeep! - 2008 Jeep Liberty
  By KT - March 24 - 3:22 am

  PROS: The 08 redesign was MUCH needed. VERY comfortable and fun to drive. Feels solid like a tank on the highway. Suspension is remarkable. TONS of storage room, compartments for all your shtuff, the radio sounds like a dream, feels powerful and strong yet safe like an American vehicle should! CONS: Gas mileage isnt very good, but it has a very big gas tank so you dont need to refill as often. Also not very good at making quick sharp turns, feels like its gonna flip.

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  Love our commanders but lots of problems! - 2006 Jeep Commander
  By niokal1 - March 22 - 8:23 pm

  I own a 2008 commander and my husband owns a 2006, we are both having a lot of the same issues. Both had to replace starter, Brakes, Wheel bearings, and my radio and passenger side window only works half the time. Did I mention that they both leak water on to the front floor boards. We have always been Jeep enthusiast but not we are starting to question the love of Jeeps verses the bullshit design and flaws that have come with these new models. Come on Chrysler quit trying to cut on quality we pay the price

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  Nothing Like It - 2001 Jeep Cherokee
  By Mike - March 22 - 10:30 am

  There is nothing like the Jeep Cherokee. I bought my Jeep with ~50,000 miles on it back in 2004. It rides rough, but this rugged vehicle was bult to last. After driving it over 60,000 miles I have had to replace the AC condenser, tires, battery, and brake rotors (my Fault). Nothing else has been replaced. I have hauled almost 1000 lbs of crap in the back of it at one time. I still love Charolette (my Jeep).

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  Got What I Wanted - 2014 Jeep Wrangler
  By towsonres - March 22 - 4:24 am

  I have waited to purchase a Jeep Wrangler for several years. I have not been disappointed! For you 40 somethings; this is not your dads Jeep. It has creature comforts, not a choppy ride, not cold / hot, good acceleration, easy top removal, and most importantly; FUN! Dont listen to other reviews about not being a daily driver. I commute 54 miles daily to work on the highway and back roads without issue or regret. If you are penny pinching and worried about your fuel bill, you may want to think twice about a Jeep. It is what it is and the fun factor has certainly more than offset the pump price. Great fun.

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  Could be better, could be worse - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By collin - March 21 - 5:43 pm

  This was my first car, and Im actually selling it today. All-around, its a great car; however, the gas mileage is horrible. My girlfriend gets 30-40 mpg in her Hyundai, and I trail behind at a wimpy 13-17 mpg. Not to mention, it takes quite a sum of money to put gas into it. Air bag sensor is faulty and beeps as it pleases. I had to replace some trans. sensors (had trouble shifting to 2nd and 3rd gears); drivers side dual-climate ctrl didnt work (found out this is common in 99s). Being 10-11 years old, though, it was still a good first car. The leather seats got way too hot in the summertime.

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  A Blast To Drive - 2004 Jeep Wrangler
  By Richard - March 21 - 5:03 pm

  A rugged 4WD and almost a roadster in one! Handles great, and couldnt be more fun to drive. Other than some HVAC problems, its been very reliable. My last Jeep was an 86 CJ-7 and this is like driving a Lexus compared to the CJ.

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  Nothin like a Jeep - 1995 Jeep Wrangler
  By Ray - March 20 - 12:16 am

  Like most other reviews, I have always wanted a Jeep. Now at 40yrs old and as a toy, I bought one. This little thing is a blast. My army buddies and i get away once a year to go camping and since I got the Jeep, its been great to have all 4 of us pile in and turn up the radio and cruise across the sand dunes or just through town. No mid life crisis here, lol. The Jeep is the simplest thing to work on. Aftermarket parts are avail by the hundreds. I bought it as a toy, but it has turned into my daily driver. I commute 70 miles round trip each day to work, 99% of it is highway and newly paved, and its decent. It was very loud, but a new stereo and speakers fixed the wind noise problem.

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  Pure Fun Fun Fun - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By roblan - March 19 - 10:00 am

  Fuel consumption has been a major disappointment but this car is a lot of car for the money compared to other SUVs. Air conditioning system works great and not noisy at all (well maybe at full blast...). Handles beautifully on and off the road, very peppy and responsive. Instrument panel is easy to read both at night and during the day. Dont buy an SUV until you have test driven a Liberty. The only "flaw" is that the front windshield is dangerously close to the passengers, you almost feel you are going to fall off the vehicle, it takes a few days of adjusting, otherwise a nice car.