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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  !ow you dont know what your missing! - 1998 Jeep Wrangler
  By keydriver33 - October 17 - 4:23 pm

  i see people complaining about this or that, its a Jeep thing is right. Ive owned several and sure it takes cash to keep them running right,but look at what your getting out of it. I 4-wheel a lot, almost every weekend and I gotta say I always make it back when others dont. My favorite saying as Im passing them is "you wouldnt be stuck if you bought a Jeep". Thanks for your time and lets get out there and have fun in a jeep.

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  Jeep Cherokee - 2016 Jeep Cherokee
  By Shari - October 16 - 10:08 am

  Just bought this Jeep Cherokee five days ago. I wasnt really looking to buy a SUV. My husband talked me into taking it for a test drive. When I came back with it I really liked it. I havent gotten a new car in some time. Drove real smooth, and it didnt even feel like a 4 cycle. The in side is real nice. I cant believe I went to a two door car to a SUV, that is how much I liked it..There are a few things I would of liked it to have on it. A sun roof, tinted windows, and the sound of the radio I wish it was a little louder, the volume isnt that high. I planning on keeping this for some time..I never thought I would be driving a SUV, when all the kids are gone and its just me....

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  Airman - 2013 Jeep Compass
  By ROY J. WALLS - October 14 - 11:16 am

  I buy this 2013 jeep compass because look better then car had before cost me lot money get it fix from timing belts! It easy get in & out when wear knee brace. I had jeep about 2 years & 8 month now only time drive my jeep when go see my Dr. and to store or family. Stereo sound very good got lot bass cd hold up to 6 cd & 4 speakers 6x9 in doors! 2013 jeep compass latitude with life time warrant.

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  Commander Review - 2006 Jeep Commander
  By Luv My Commander - October 14 - 7:20 am

  I love this car. Everything about it, from the boxy outside, to the spacious and almost luxuriously rugged inside. It is great. Dependable, awesome!

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  2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport - 2001 Jeep Wrangler
  By sheissekopf - October 13 - 10:00 am

  It must be a Jeep thing. When I bought mine new, I was a little concerned about long trips, but August of 2001 it went on an 1800 mile trip to Canada and back, drove from Southeast PA to Northern Maine in one day, and the ride was better than our 2003 Toyota Matrix. When the weather warms up, you cant beat taking the top down, and in the snow, you just cant stop these things (and Ive tried)

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  jeep liberty - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By amesde24 - October 13 - 10:00 am

  it is great and i love it

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  First Vehicle - 1995 Jeep Cherokee
  By Geoff - October 11 - 10:00 am

  Ok so I live in Alaska and this was my first vehicle. I bought it when I was 16 and it already had 80k miles on it. Now it has 136k and I didnt have a single problem until about 120k. My Jeep is a 2dr se with 4wd and it is a manual transmission. The transmission started to have shifting problems at 120k and I drove it until I absolutly had to fix it. It lasted 10k miles on a broken transmission and clutch. I changed the clutch flywheel and transmission at 130k then the front axel at 131k. Other than that all I have had to do was change the water pump once and the thermometer once. This Jeep is amazing and I am not getting rid of it unless the wheels fall. Love this Jeep!

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  Cant expect much more - 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Bull - October 11 - 10:00 am

  Bought in 98 to replace small pick-up, smart buy; still primary vehicle. Have 240K and it literally runs like it did, with little effort. Inline 6 is awesome engine. Around 225K gas mileage began to fall, didnt run smooth. Changed idle air control valve sensor and throttle body sensor (both less than $80) and got back its original mileage & performance. Had trans rebuilt @162K, changed radiator, water pump, some other minor I did myself. The inline 6 is a good buy. Friend has 96 with 483K still running & driving.

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  Great vehicle, but lousy tires - 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By GreenWoodTurner - October 11 - 10:00 am

  In general, this is a great vehicle with awesome power and better than expected H/W mileage. Jeep blew it, though with the tires. Weve sliced (and destroyed) 2 tires on easy gravel roads! No one sells better 18" tires. Will have to downsize to 17" in order to get better off road tires. Chrome-clad wheels on an off road vehicle is dumb ... they chip easily. My wife freaks now when we drive on any sort of rough road. Jeeps reputation has been tarnished in my book!

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  Very pleased with this Jeep - 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Dmoore - October 11 - 10:00 am

  love my new grand cherokee. after the test drive i was SOLD! I chose the Laredo "X" package 4X2 which includes the perfect choice of features for those of us that want all of the gadgets without the fluff and bling. kudos to Chrysler for not making the laredo look like a cheap stepchild to the Limited. The V6 is a great engine. Extremely quiet and loaded with low end torque. Im very pleased with the 19 mpg Im getting in city driving. Thats 3 mpg better than the rating! Ride/handling is very confident and refined. Interior is quiet and the climate system fan is hushed too. Fit, finish, design and quality of interior materials is like higher end luxury vehicles.Chrysler got this one right.