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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  Love our Jeep Grand Cherokee - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Hemi - June 14 - 6:00 pm

  We have a cabin in the Sierras and the road to our place is dirt. When it rains its very muddy and we needed a dependable 4 wheel drive to get there. We found it with the new 2005 Grand Jeep Cherokee. Just love to drive it! Its easy to drive and a dream to parallel park.

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  cool jeeps - 2002 Jeep Wrangler
  By person - June 13 - 9:13 am

  I garentee that if you buy a jeep, you will have the time of your life.

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  04 jeep wrangler sport - 2004 Jeep Wrangler
  By drock05 - June 13 - 12:36 am

  First thing is first i LOVE my jeep. If you dont like bumpy and loud buy a dumb cadillac if you want good gas mileage buy a stupid civic. But if you like wondering on and off road at anytime and having a blast while doing it. then look no further. the sound bar is awesome. ive only had mine stuck once that was in snow that had been plowed 2 days before and was up over my hood and i have a 3 inch suspension lift with 33" BFG A/T.. you can be driving on the street one minute and the next climbing the side of a mountain. no other vehicle can do what a jeep does. i guess you have to be a jeep person to be in love with a jeep as much as i am.

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  Great Jeep... - 2001 Jeep Cherokee
  By jesghr - June 12 - 10:33 pm

  I have 175,000 miles on my jeep and nothing is slowing it down. I have had some recent repairs due to wearable items and had some issues with the check engine light. Really...the best vehicle I have ever purchased. I am sure it will last to 200,000 miles and beyond. The back seat could have more room, but it fits my daughters car seat and toys just fine. It is a great off roading vehicle. It has one of the only true SUV off-roading suspensions. I love it.

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  Tough Old Bird - 2000 Jeep Cherokee
  By MBoone - June 12 - 5:43 am

  Small enough to fit into any parking spot, yet big enough to tear up any trail. The Cherokee is tougher and more reliable than any vehicle I have owned. Looks good, drives even better.

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  Only a jeep thing - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By T-Dub - June 10 - 10:00 am

  I love this Jeep. Its outstanding preformance and fun to drive. No other compact SUV can come close to the Renagade.

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  JEEPERS - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Rich S - June 10 - 10:00 am

  ALREADY HAD A 99 GC BASE LAREDO ON A 3 YR LEASE---REAL FUN TO DRIVE--TOOK A LITTLE CHANGE W/ THE CHRSYLER MINI V-- BUT COULDNT WAIT TO GET BACK INTO AN SUV. THE 04 MODELS WERE BEING DISCOUNTED--EVEN THOUGH STILL HAD 1 MORE YEAR LEFT--JEEP DEALER BOUGHT OUT THE MV LEASE, AND THE GC MIDNIGHT BLUE EDITION JUST WON ME OVER--AGAIN-- THOUGHT ABOUT OTHER SUVS--BUT THIS IS ONE SHARP VEHICLE--MUCH NICER EXTERIOR WITH THE COLOR BUMPER MATCH THAN THE BASE LAREDO-SIMILAR TO THE LIMITED STYLE

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  Add Some Fun - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By Amy - June 10 - 7:50 am

  I have never wanted an SUV of any type, but I love my Jeep Liberty. Her name is Libby... ha. The interior design is like that of a luxury car. She looks like Herbie the Love Bug all grown up. Its a fun and reliable vehicle.

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  Very surprised! Like a Miniature Wrangler - 2017 Jeep Renegade
  By John S - June 10 - 1:39 am

  Handles great, acceleration is good, not a rocket but good. Not bad for a 4 banger. It feels tightly built, but comfortable and handles like a Wrangler 2 door somewhat. Lots of nice creature features. I love my little Renegade! It actually looks "beefy" next to my wifes patriot.

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  MY 3RD JEEP - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By J. M. Coughenour - June 8 - 1:13 pm

  This is my third Jeep starting with a 2000 Laredo - 2002 Grand Cherokee and now a 2005 Grand Cherokee loaded including the 5.7 Hemi. So far this one has been excellent except in one small area which I am getting used to. When applying the brakes lightly they will on their own go down about 1 inch and then take better hold. I drove another 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee and it also did this. No explanation from Jeep. I am getting used to it and do not consider it a problem, only something different. The ride is greatly improved over the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo I had.