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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  Roof leak - 2008 Jeep Wrangler
  By george - August 8 - 1:40 pm

  This Jeeps top leaked since day 1. It has been in to be repaired 6 times and out of service more than 30 days. I have filed under lemon law /and was given a mediator /with no resolution. 5 months later I was forced into buying a foreign used car so I could get to work. I do not recommend this Jeep to any! Chrysler does not back product, they sure can sell you a car, but service is not there anymore. Stay away

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  String of Problems from day one - 2006 Jeep Commander
  By esavioli - August 4 - 2:40 pm

  Where to begin? It stalls for no reason at all at low speeds. Took it in for the sunroof whistling noise. Dealership claimed the windshield was the problem. After a new windshield, found that the roof panels are rusted out so badly that the weld has separated around the windshield frame. There is a leak and they cannot find it. Window controls are possessed. When its cold outside, the radio will not work. Have had to have the powertrain system reprogrammed twice. This is my second Jeep and Im extremely disappointed.

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  Get this car if you like driving rental cars - 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Phil - August 1 - 12:44 pm

  Many, many recalls and you have to pay out-of-pocket when you get a rental car . I have basically replaced every major item in the car including the catalytic converter and complete $1300 steering gear. Everything made out of plastic so they either crack or fall off the car. Then had to replace the entire cooler and fluid retainer

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  BUY A HONDA INSTEAD !!!!!!!!!!! - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By franco66 - July 27 - 10:00 am

  I am trying to think of something good to say about our Jeep, wait "I have it," its for sale in the newspaper. Entire front wheel bearing assembly replaced at 60K. Water pump at 65K. Air signed off at 60K. The interior room in this car is a joke for such a heavy car. Quality throughout is a nightmare. Windows quit working. Hood lifts replace every 40K. Used the 4WD one time in snow and developed oil leak in transfer case 1 week later. I could go on but I know you get the message. Any car out there is going to give you better service than this Chrysler made piece of JUNK !!!!!!!!!!!

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  6yrs of problems - 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By amanda82 - July 19 - 5:08 pm

  Bought my Jeep GC laredo 6 yrs ago and about 2 montha after purches the lifters were replaced and it went down hill from there. Hood wont stay up passenger window wont work. Cooling fan has been replaced 2 times. The relay for it atleast 6 times, the radiator once, had the last fan all rewired and after all that its out again and I dont know what to do. The headights and parking lights have started coming on and/or flashing with no keys in it. The heat only blows out of the defrost. Tie rod ends replaced. A/C dont work The list goes on. Would NEVER but another one.

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  Dont even bother looking! - 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Alice G. - July 15 - 2:00 am

  Lets see, where do I begin. My 02 Laredo has the 6-cylinder engine, which fails to measure up to most other v-6s in its class. Ever since the day after I purchased this vehicle, there has been a pronounced brake shudder when I brake (which has been fixed twice), and the transmission likes to make a clunk noise when I stop at a stoplight. This is my second Jeep, and compared to my old 95 Laredo, this one sucks! After this year I will sell it for the measly trade-in value that its worth and buy a Toyota.

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  Dont Buy It! - 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By agingdad - July 2 - 2:00 am

  We bought ours last year with 80000 miles on it and have regretted it ever since. Ive been thinking that whoever owned it first must have been really hard on it, but these reviews tell me its just a shoddy product. You cant even change out the taillight without special tools to take apart the entire assembly. Weve worked on electrical problems galore, water pump, power steering, door locks, mirrors, wipers, etc.

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  Water Leaks - 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Ken Hale - June 20 - 10:36 am

  With only 1300 miles and three trips to the dealership I have not received any satisfaction with a leak. If it rains hard I can be assured of water leaking into the drivers compartment. Im very disappointed by the lack of interest on the part of the dealership and Chrysler on repairing this issue. There appears to be an obvious design flaw they appear unwilling to confront. Chrysler gets a zero on customer satisfaction or empathy. Despite being a Chrysler customer since 1987 I would stay away from this company. Theyre giving American manufactures a bad name.

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  Liberty Brakes Danger - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By exjeep21 - June 19 - 7:06 pm

  I brought my third Jeep, a Liberty, in February, 2004. I now have 28,000 miles on it and the rear brake calipers locked and I had to have it fixed somewhere other than the dealer. The wheels were smoking and all they could say is that repairs are only at the dealer. I will never buy another. They just dont care!

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  May have just been ours, but... - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By Mgoble - June 10 - 10:26 pm

  This was one of the worst cars we ever bought. It was our 3rd new car purchased. My mom loved the Surf Blue color, so we bought it. The service engine soon light came on twice in 2 weeks, both times it had to be serviced. The tire inflation light came on when the temp was under 50 degrees. We also didnt like it because it set lower than our other SUVs. It also stalled on us at red lights several times. Ours should have been LEMON yellow, instead of blue, we only kept it 5 months.