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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  BEST Jeep SUV Ever Built! - 2001 Jeep Cherokee
  By Central Jersey - December 21 - 12:43 pm

  I have always wanted this model Jeep. The Liberty is just plain UGLY! Very hard to find a used one with less than 100K on it. Most people who own them want to keep them. Just love to drive it, whenever I can pry it away from my wife. Mine is loaded, leather, heated front seats, Infinity AM/FM/CD/Cassette along with all the standard Limited equipment.

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  My poor Jeep - 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Great SUV! - December 20 - 7:36 pm

  Bought my beloved Jeep GC with 107k miles. The good far outweighed the bad. 24+ mpg highway with the inline 6 and auto transmission. Would haul anything I put in it (1200lbs of Pavers) or towed behind it. Water poured in by the passenger A pillar while raining, brake rotors warped easily, power locks worked most of the time. It never left me stranded even though I used the heck out of it with little maintenance. As it was "dying" something would fail ONLY at the end of a long trip **after arrival**. A trans fluid line to the oil cooler blew off at 192k miles and the trans was toast, but it still drove me safely to a parking lot and out of traffic. My poor Jeep was good to me.

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  Fourth JGC - 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Jeep-n-Ohio - December 19 - 9:36 pm

  This is our Fourth Jeep grand Cherokee and our second New one. I think they went the wrong direction with the design. The cargo area is now just barely large enough to take our Dog, much less some of the home improvement items I need to haul on the weekends. With just over 9000 miles we have it in the shop for the second time. It is the Laredo with the 4.7 V8, but does not run as strong as my 2000 JGC with the same V8. Seems like they detuned or adjusted things to make it hold up for the lifetime warranty. Im still a fan, but if I have to have it in the shop again my impression of Jeep and approval will drop drastically.

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  Excellent Choice - 2002 Jeep Wrangler
  By kwrhodes - December 18 - 10:00 am

  A Jeep is a Jeep -- you must know that going in. It wont get good mileage, it has a rough ride, and it is "plain Jane" on the inside. But, ITS A JEEP and I love it. This is my second one and it is just as much fun as the first. I highly recommend a Jeep to anyone who wants to have a true original off-road vehicle.

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  96 Cherokee 2wd 4 door 5 speed - 1996 Jeep Cherokee
  By Aaron Waltz - December 18 - 2:23 am

  I like this Jeep; its got the advantages of the smaller suvs such as ground clearance, storage, passenger room, roof racks, rear wheel drive and just being up higher than small cars (plus it looks like the 4wd). Plus the advantages of a compact car -- good ride, fuel economy no extra drivetrain to weigh it down or maintain, transmission/clutch repairs are a breeze compared to its 4wd cousin (no transfer case to deal with). Overall good little suv for the budget minded person. Also the 2.5 4 cylinder is surprisingly spunky. Its not a slouch as you would think; its no 4.0 liter but more power means less fuel economy. This day and age Id rather have the torquey 4 banger! it does the job quite well.

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  Its a Jeep, cant complain - 1999 Jeep Wrangler
  By bob - December 17 - 8:46 pm

  Fun to drive year round. I took it mudding and not have have it in four wheel drive. It a Jeep can do about anything

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  The Best Yet - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By NJMIKE - December 16 - 1:03 am

  This is my third Grand Cherokee. My first was a 1997 Cherokee I-6 Laredo. I sold that with over 125,000 trouble free miles (one water pump). My second, which I still own with 176,000 trouble free miles, is a 1998 ZJ 5.9 liter Limited - The Big Dog. My wifes 2000 Grand Cherokee now has 85,500 trouble free miles on it. She travels 80 miles a day on the NJ Turnpike. I wouldnt want her driving anything else. Period.

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  Get what you pay for - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By Cullen - December 14 - 11:23 am

  Its a nice affordable SUV for a first time car buyer. It does lack a little of the "vroom" factor, but makes up for it with a nice smooth drive after the initial get up and go part. The interior is a little plasticky, but makes for easy cleaning and really grows on you actually. If youre driving mostly city/highway and not looking to go mudding, great SUV for your buck. Plenty of console storage. All in all, on a budget but need the room and style, great SUV.

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  Sky Slider - 2008 Jeep Liberty
  By Lisa - December 10 - 10:10 pm

  In general, I LOVE my Jeep the one thing I dont like is the Sky Slider. I wish I had just over looked it. Starting about 2 weeks after I got the Jeep, I found the highway wind noise to be unbearable. After 3 dealerships and 4 months, I found some guys that noticed that the weather striping had come up and they replaced it. That has helped the noise a ton but it is still pretty undesirable on the highway. No matter the weather, it seems like roof is just not well designed at all. The cross bars in the sky slider buckle with any amount of wind and sometimes if I attempt to close it while I am driving (even at 30 mph) I am scared the whole thing is just going to fly off.

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  Mopar Junky - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By GWiz - December 10 - 1:30 pm

  Trail Rated 4.7 V8 w/trailer tow package best bet. In 45 years of driving (almost all 4x4/awd) my JGC Laredo is one of the best highway cruisers Ive ever owned. I live in Winnipeg, MB, Canada and Ive never understood why everyone doesnt own a 4x4/awd vehicle. It pulls my boat (1500 lbs) and I dont even know its attached. My son from Calgary is buying the Jeep from me because after looking for a newer vehicle, both in Calgary and Winnipeg, my Jeep came up "best" as a vehicle for the next 2-3 years as the auto industry goes thru some major changes. Now I have to do the looking for a replacement and the Jeep GC is the only NA vehicle Id consider. Ext. warranty hasnt been needed yet.