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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  2009 Commander 4x4 - 2009 Jeep Commander
  By mikeb - May 1 - 11:40 pm

  super vehicle I cant say enough about it good gas mileage, comfortable, plenty of storage space since I order the no 3rd row seat option. gets 20+ hwy 18 around town To me it is the perfect SUV

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  Love this vehicle - 2007 Jeep Commander
  By LittleCofeBean - May 1 - 8:33 pm

  I love this vehicle - it has been great in the snow and 4 wheeling. I do wish that it came with beefier tires, so I am putting a small lift and better tires on it. I see a lot of people have reported leaking problems. Yes - it did in mine too - but that was fixed with beads of silicone along the door frame. Jeep has instructions on their site on how to fix this. We did and we have had no problems since then. I love this ride and am completely content with it. I average about 15 Town/22 HWY.

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  the Best SUV for the $ - 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By fcoastg - April 30 - 3:30 am

  the Grand Cherokee is by far the best car for the money. The Jeep has a level of luxury and refinement that rivals that of the land rover or even Mercedes SUVS. Ive had other luxury cars(namely an Acura) and this jeep offers the save refinement and the go anywhere capabilities of the Jeep brand.The interior has so much technology, two LCD displays that are easy to use yet advanced enough. Im very happy with my 2014 Jeep,I highly recommend this vehicle for someone looking for luxury SUV that is refined yet capable. its great car, its as home navigation the mall parking lot as it would be transferring the Amazon. its the best car Ive ever owned.

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  Fun, reliable, useful - 2008 Jeep Compass
  By Lea - April 29 - 2:30 am

  The seats are excellent, build quality is good, no initial problems. The lifetime warranty is drivetrain only, but for $2k I also got the bumper to bumper lifetime. Fun to drive, roomy American made. Am going back to buy another for my daughter.

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  Great small SUV - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By TBShoe - April 28 - 10:00 am

  I love my Liberty! This a all around great SUV with good looks inside and out, strong engine, solid feel, and perfect size. Compared to other vehicles in its class it is the best by far. No mechanical problems to date. For its weight of 4000 (read solid feel), it handles and performs well when needed, great for short trips to the mall (easy parking) or long camping trips fully loaded up.

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  Best Small Suv on the Market - 2014 Jeep Patriot
  By boar - April 28 - 12:01 am

  My wife and I purchased our Patriot at the end of August , we bought it for her to drive back and forth to work and around town , she loves it , the handling is excellent , the ride is firm yet forgiving , we have the 2.4 engine and it has the power to get out of its own way and then some , we average 26mpg , its rated at 21/27 we get 24/30 . And yes it is a 4x4 havent been able to use that feature yet I was told NO 4 wheeling in her jeep lol.

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  Excellent - 2008 Jeep Liberty
  By npro1234 - April 27 - 5:03 pm

  I like my 2008 Sport 4x4 Liberty. It is much more comfortable than my old pickup truck. Gas mileage is as reported (4x4 15/21 mpg). I just took a trip of 900 miles loaded with my stuff (2wd mode) in the cargo area to confirm. This SUV is way off the ground and from measurements up to the antenna stands about 6 6". So be sure it can fit into your garage. The response seems a bit sluggish when accelerating, but it is a heavy vehicle. Overall, I am very happy with my purchase.

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  My 2nd Wrangler and lovin it! - 2005 Jeep Wrangler
  By gayjeepboy - April 26 - 9:23 am

  I had a 97 Wrangler Sport and had to sell it and regretted it. After 3 years of searching, I finally found my new 05 Wrangler "X". I love this car but it is not a vehicle for everyone. A lot of the used Wranglers I encountered had very low miles indicating to me that the owners did not know what they were buying. For me it is the perfect Southern CA car - easy to park and maneuver, fun for beach cruising, and an all around blast.! It does not ride like a car so if you dont like a harder ride this isnt for you. Unlike most Jeep buyers I have no intention of taking this off road. For me it is my fun car and I cannot recommend it highly enough. If you are even thinking of getting one - GO FOR IT.

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  love my Liberty - 2007 Jeep Liberty
  By Henry - April 25 - 3:36 pm

  Lots of power and drives nice , I got 21.9 miles a gallon on my last fill up . I have had it 3 months with no problems.

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  best jeep built - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By rocky road - April 25 - 2:00 am

  a side from the gas mileage i have to report a trouble free first year of ownership rides like a mercedes on the hiway and a mountain goat off road