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 Liberty 2.8 CRD - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By James Collins - July 9 - 9:06 pm

  As fuel prices started to rise I took the Liberty 2.8 CRD for a spin; after the test ride I traded my 2002 Renegade in for it. My last Liberty saved me from serious injury when I hit a deer head on at 60MPH and only did cosmetic damage to it. The diesel Jeep has as much power as the 6 cylinder. I average about 24 miles a gallon in mixed driving and it is one of the most fun cars I have ever owned. Im 64" and it is a little tight but I have driven it all over the east coast with my wife and 3 kids. I am a law enforcement officer and I have to be able to get to work under any conditions and the Liberty has done that for me. The Jeep is a real 4WD and gets the job done.

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  Jeep Grand Cherokee 1999 - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By ScottCelander - July 8 - 10:00 am

  The Jeep is very fun to drive and has a great deal of sex appeal considering it is a SUV. My Jeep has the Quadtrac fulltime 4wd system and I would recommend getting this. It is clearly one of the best features of the Jeep. Another personal best feature, is the fact that this jeep has serious whip. From 0-30mph, the car is very fast. My stories about the brakes are not nearly as bad as everyones else...although I agree the car definitely needs a new braking system, as long as you go somewhat easy on the brakes it wont be that bad. Overall fun and PRACTICAL car.

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  King of SUVs - 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By 2 Jeep Guy - July 8 - 10:00 am

  The Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo is the one SUV that all the competitors fear. It has tremendous off road capability. I have taken it on beach sand with heavy ruts and loose drifting sand. No problem at all. It can handle anything. Try that with the fake SUVs put out by the competitors. Who knows more about four wheel drive than Jeep? My wife drives this one, and she absolutely loves it. (She owns Ford stock, but we bought this new. We also have a Liberty).

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  Fun with Liberty - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By 2 Jeep Guy - July 8 - 10:00 am

  This SUV is really lots of fun to drive. Good visibility and an amazing turning radius. The seats feel hard at first, but offers good support. Lots of cargo room. What happened to the cross bars on the roof rails? My Jeep Grand Cherokee has them. The Liberty is a civilized Wrangler in many ways. It feels like a junior verson of the Grand Cherokee Laredo. Many similar controls.

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  A Jeep That Does It All - 2007 Jeep Liberty
  By Don - July 8 - 6:06 am

  This is my second Liberty, I bought my first one in 2004, (the window regulator wasnt an issue in that model). I love the Liberty for its carlike/suv appearance and towing capabilities. I am averaging 20-21+ mpg in combined city/highway driving. I bought the 2007 knowing that the window regulators were crap. However, it was still under factory warranty and I received such a good deal since it was a manufactures buyback that the savings made it worth the risk/hassle.

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  Jeep is fun stuff. - 2014 Jeep Wrangler
  By champ306 - July 7 - 5:30 am

  I am coming off owning sports cars, I really find this thing entertaining. For one it handles the road just fine, and what I mean, it eats up the crappy roads. Potholes, cracks, bridges. yes, no worry anymore. Sick of scrubbing your nose on your porsche? Buy a Jeep. Seriously, its that fun. Fun to drive, great stereo, top off fun when wanted, oh yeah and 4x4 like few others out there.

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  Jeep Liberty 08 and going strong! - 2008 Jeep Liberty
  By Diane K - July 6 - 5:26 pm

  Every day I get into my 2008 Jeep Liberty and its like a new SUV to me. I love the interior layout- easy to use iPod and sound system. Did not get GPS-- dont need it, so other features are housed there. Fabulous off road- after I upgraded the tires to the Firestone, Destination A/Ts. Now I have a lot more confidence. Use this for trailering, skiing, dog and vacationing- LOVE IT! Didnt listen to reviews- and glad I got it. Its been really fun to drive.

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  2015 Overland - 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By wop_job - July 6 - 5:57 am

  Picked up the new 2015 Overland about a month ago. Without a doubt, this is a great SUV. Ive read all of the reviews and I honestly dont understand all of the negativity.This Jeep runs smooth and strong, mileage is very acceptable, and the comfort is outstanding. Blind spot monitoring, adaptable cruise control, user friendly interface, and many more features make this SUV stand out amongst its rivals. I have had no issues with transmission, electrical,or any of the other great features. Maybe Im just lucky, but I absolutely love this ride. So far, so good.

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  This is a Jeep????? - 2016 Jeep Cherokee
  By C.Babcock - July 4 - 10:39 am

  Considering I learned to drive in a 47 Willys jeep pickup......Jeep has come a long ways.Bought a 2016 Trailhawk with the 4cyl. I dont do much towing so didnt need the extra 2 cylinders for 1000 + dollars. On the way home took it down a 2 mile sand trail that eats rails and buggys on a regular basis. No problems at all in 4wd/auto setting.The technology is pretty impressive,lane assist,adaptive braking,etc. It almost drives itself. The 8 speed auto trans seems to get a little confused with up and downshifts. The cure for this is to drive it with authority, not like an 80 year old lady. My only complaint is the exhaust sound. Kinda like a constipated bumble bee. Borla makes a catback exhaust system that should take care of that. Ill trade it in 4 years. Cant wait to see what to 2020 looks like.

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  Jeep Grand Cherokee Second time around! - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By RJ - July 3 - 8:56 pm

  My wife had an accident with a Ford F150 that ran a red light while driving our 2000 Grand Cherokee. She hit the truck broadside and rolled it over. Our Jeep took the hit up front. Everyone in our car had only minor bumps. Jeep was totaled but the passenger compartment was perfect. My wife would now not have anything else but a new one. They would have been killed in a car. The new 2004 is even nicer than the first. Very comfortable to drive and plenty of power with the 4.7 V8. It handles well and has a beautiful paint finish in Inferno red pearl coat.