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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  Jeep Cherokee - 1999 Jeep Cherokee
  By tanneraspen - November 15 - 2:00 am

  Wonderful car, I have 93,000 miles and its solid.

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  I LOVE MY JEEP !!!! - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By DAPHNE - November 15 - 2:00 am

  My husband bought my Jeep for me on my 35 birthday. Fully loaded. And I love everything about it. I drive from the Country into Town everyday. 60 miles round trip and it a great ride. People ask me why didnt I get a car. My response I dont like sitting on the ground. My kids and their friends think I have the coolest SUV in the neighborhood. Since it is red, we put the Red Hawaiian print seat covers. Looks like a real beach Suv.When I bought my jeep I had the only one in my town now they are everywhere.

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  Jeep - never again - 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By 1996 Jeep Grand Cher - November 14 - 2:16 pm

  I have the 4.0 liter, 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. Had 65,000 K when I bought it. Worst car I have ever owned. I am shopping for a replacement now. I have replaced catalytic convertor twice, out again. Cracked exhaust manifold, hoses, radiator,crank shaft sensor (going out again I believe), idle motor also. Have to hit starter 6 to 8 times to connect. I am 64 years old and put 5,000 miles on it a year..so rough treatment is not the excuse.

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  My Jeep Experience - 2007 Jeep Commander
  By ptlongtime70 - November 14 - 12:26 pm

  Ive owned my Jeep Commander for a little over 6 months now and absolutely love it. Rides so smooth even over rough terrain and poor roads. Sound proofing is great and love all the amenities that came with it. Stereo is awesome for being factory, Boston Acoustic package imaging is first class with adequate power. Anti-roll stability electronics has actually help correct the vehicle one time when I approached an off ramp a lil bit too fast and started to lose control. Vehicle corrected itself with appropriate deceleration and braking of proper wheels. I was thoroughly impressed. However sometimes when entering and exiting certain bumpy rotarys I have had same electronics make vehicle stumble.

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  2002 3.7 AT 4 WD - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By Dave - November 13 - 9:06 pm

  Bought new and now have 104,000 on the Jeep. Had been pretty reliable but am now having multiple engine problems. The Check engine light issue and mechanics have been unable to fix. Vehicle runs very rough.

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  Happy Owner - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Bill Baird - November 12 - 9:23 am

  We had an Isuzu Axiom and Ford Escape before this and were disappointed in both. The Jeep is trouble-free and costs nothing but gas and an occasional oil change. On the other hand, our MB S430 lives in the repair shop. Go figure.

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  Jeep Liberty Fan - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By Stan Orzechowski - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Back in 1996 we had a new Grand Cherokee Limited. Had it for about three years. Traded it in for a truck until when the Libertys came out, we decided to order one. Man! did we ever miss the JEEP quality that goes into these vehicles. Since then, got rid of the truck and are extremely excited to go to our first Camp JEEP this year with our Liberty. Many people ask how we like the Liberty. The answer to that is, I just cant stop talking about it. We had purchased the 4WD Limited in Woodland Brown. We just love it.

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  Test while cold - 2010 Jeep Patriot
  By Jeepman - November 12 - 2:00 am

  The patriot is inexpensive but you get what you pay for. The CVT has a horrible jerk, so-called engine braking, at low speed, and the four cylinder sounds like a diesel until it gets warmed up. Jeep says the jerking is "normal" and they are not working on fix. Good cheap transportation but dont expect a refined ride.

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  First time Jeep owner and love it! - 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By baycouple929 - November 12 - 2:00 am

  How do you begin to describe such a refined and magnificent vehicle? I will start by saying that the engineers finally have outdone themselves on this one. I purchased the Overland 4X4 model for my wife with the V-8 engine and every single option under the sun. The ride is completely amazing as well as the flawless detail of the leather interior. The outside rode noise is nonexistent even driving next to a semi truck. The heated and vented seats are thoroughly enjoyable as well as the lumbar support. Fuel economy is very good considering the V-8 (20 MPG HWY). Try comparing the vehicle with a Porsche Cayenne S with the same options and you would pay MUCH MORE! My wife LOVES it.

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  The Rolls Royce of SUVs - 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Steve - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned 2 Chevy Trailblazers, a Durango, and a Ford Explorer and the Grand Cherokee is in a class all by its self. The total quality of the vehicle is very impressive. The instant we got in one I could see it was head and shoulders above anything I had owned so far. The Trailblazer I had was a SS with the 390 HP Corvette engine. The Jeep has the 5.7 hemi with slightly less power but the quality is so much better in every respect. I never expected this good a ride from an SUV.