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:

• 

  Overland satisfaction - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Baxter - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Only have 20000 kilometers so far and am satisfied with the vehicle. the overland is distinctive and is easily identified from the ordinary Grand Cheroke.

• 

  Good Jeep - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Denny - September 5 - 9:00 pm

  My wife and I purchased our GC LTD new and have generally enjoyed it. It has a nice smooth ride, and with the 4.7L V- 8, accelerates very quickly. My wife drives mainly in town and averages 14MPG, though on longer trips we have averaged as high as 23 MPG. We have had some recurrent problems, such as with window seals shrinking and front brake rotor problems. Jeep replaced the front brakes a couple of years ago under recall and have had no problems since, including no brake dust! We also had a heated seat burn through, but with some fighting Jeep repaired the seat. Overall, I would recommend the Grand Cherokee.

• 

  Great piece of machinery - 2005 Jeep Wrangler
  By shudawg7 - September 5 - 9:36 am

  I absolutely LOVE driving this vehicle. It is everything I expected a Jeep to be. Rugged. Capable. Fun. I cant wait for summer - take the top off. Its a vehicle that has something for every season.

• 

  Fun, Small but Stains wont come out! - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By Whopper - September 3 - 4:20 am

  I wanted a Jeep Liberty for a couple years before I finally bought one! I traded in my Honda Civic when I became pregnant, thinking it would provide more much needed room! It didnt! Very little room for any passengers once you get a car seat in there! And the seats stain EASILY from anything! Especially any kind of liquid! If your drink sweats, dont let it touch the seat! The stains look horrible and nothing gets them out!!!

• 

  Third Jeep - 2008 Jeep Liberty
  By Joe - September 1 - 8:16 pm

  I like the performance overall, but acceleration from a stop is sluggish. Also lacks oomph passing on upgrades. I do like the 6-spd manual. I like the looks inside and out (vast improvement over 2003-2007). I hate the instrument panel and controls. Those little lights are difficult to see in bright sun. The radio controls are complicated and poorly positioned, including the Set button next to the first station button. Station buttons dont always work correctly. I hate that "Change Oil" message thats based on time and mileage and unrelated to actual oil changes. The vehicle seems rugged enough, but the springs squeak, even when you just get in or out.

• 

  Great SUV...until 70,000 miles - 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Iowa Banker - September 1 - 10:00 am

  Bought mine 2nd owner, low miles. Loved driving it: comfortable, stylish and plenty of power. Maintenance and reliability issues popped up after about 50k miles. Tire/rotor troubles, replaced brakes, etc. then had the front drive shaft go out @ 70k on a roadtrip 500 miles from home. Traded it before I poured any more cash down the hole.

• 

  never again - 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By going broke - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Until the past year I was very pleased with the 5.9. However, in the past year (since about 55,000 miles) I have changed the front rotors twice due to warping, (once was covered by a Jeep recall)and replaced both the front and rear differentials. In addition, I have a transmission leak which hopefully is only the pan gasket. All this despite the fact that I have followed schedule A maintenance recommendations. I will never buy another Chrysler product again

• 

  My 5th Jeep, tried others but came back - 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Mo - August 28 - 12:43 pm

  This is my 5th Jeep since 1998. 3 Laredos, 1 Liberty, and now Grand Cherokee Limited with the Hemi. Love it! Tested Lexus 400H and Nissan Murano, but came back. Really feel secure in this vehicle when driving down the road. Heavy, smooth. I am 52", 95lbs, and can see (slight blind spots in back like all my Cherokees) and reach everything. Love the satellite radio, auto high beam, window wiper sensors. After the Liberty, which still have, love how the wind doesnt push me around in this vehicle. Drive 500 miles to and from work every week and this makes it really enjoyable. Cant believe the compliments from co-workers in the parking lot.

• 

  Still Kickin - 1996 Jeep Cherokee
  By josephmartins - August 28 - 11:06 am

  Bought it with 154k miles on the odometer. Fifth Jeep I have owned (incl a 90 and 2001 Cherokee, and a 97 and 98 Grand Cherokee). I never hesitate to buy a high mileage Jeep if it has been cared for by the previous owners. Immediately switched it to synthetic fluids/lubes for everything but the transmission. Just passed 232k miles and still going strong. Needed to replace the radiator at about 190k miles. While I had things apart I also replaced the coolant hoses, heater hoses, trans and power steering lines just to be safe. The last thing you want to do is tear it all apart again in 30k miles. Lazily neglected to replace the water pump. That came back to bite me about 20k miles later.

• 

  Computer hell - 1998 Jeep Cherokee
  By Linrose - August 27 - 12:00 am

  I have replaced the computer in my 1998 Cherokee Sport 3 times. Luckily the last two were still under warranty. My mechanic tells me that the 98 model does this but the 97 and 99s dont. Tried junkyard dealers and was told they cant keep em in. Also the tach, speedometer, air bag lights fail intermittently. Probably different problems. Dont like the location of the "gear" indicator, causes me to look down, away from the road ahead. Otherwise I love it.