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:

• 

  Saved me in a rollover - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By siii - December 5 - 12:29 am

  I loved loved loved my Jeep Liberty. I bought it at 108k and drove it for 2 years. I also drove it home, 500+ miles away at least once a month. The pickup and acceleration is slower than other cars, and the gas mileage was usually 20 mpg (highway). Weird noise in the rear breaks when he was running at ~30mph but it stopped over 40mph. Always had it since I changed the breaks.

• 

  Loved it! - 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By adchick - December 3 - 8:56 am

  I cant say enough good things about my Jeep. I bought it used with 18,000 miles on it. I finally turned it in at 120,000 due to the age on the car gas prices creeping up to $4 a gallon. This jeep got about 18-19 avg. It was reliable and durable and comfortable. Fun to drive and looked good as well.

• 

  pretty great - 2011 Jeep Compass
  By Dillon S. - December 2 - 3:44 pm

  it looks and drives great. However there are quite a few problems according to complaint websites. My 2011 jeep compass has a few, the driver window is slow and creaks when you roll it up, and rain drops drip from the dome light in the trunk when it rains or has rained. (It does not have a sun roof)

• 

  In defense of the Compass - 2016 Jeep Compass
  By KeithG - December 1 - 6:59 am

  Not for nothing, Im a little tired of all the hate this car gets. Its funny how in this review the 430N Uconnect radio is made fun of but when its ported to a wrangler its totally fine. Look, at the end of the day if you came into a compass wanting to hate it, you will. However, if you loosen your expectations, I think you may be surprised. Lets face it, its not made to be an off road king, a fuel saver nor an SRT. Its a cheap Jeep that gets you a decent amount of features with the High Altitude sub trim and some confidence in the snow and that enough if you ask me, considering you can lease one for the $200 per month mark.

• 

  Bad locks and a lot of engine heat - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By lala76 - November 30 - 9:01 pm

  I had to replace the locks because my jeep has one key hole and that door quit working so I would be locked out for weeks at a time, have to wait for the battery to go dead and triple A to send a locksmith to get me in. The heat coming from under my jeep when it is running is so tremendous I do not drive with my window open and nobody can stand next to it and talk to me through the window without feeling like they are being cooked. My back window does not open and the windshield wiper back there falls off if I try to use it. The heat takes an hour to actually get hot by then its time to get out of the truck and doesnt matter.

• 

  Rough, Rough Idle - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Paul - November 29 - 11:53 pm

  This will be my 4th Jeep and last. Purchased new and ran great for first 10,000 miles. Started to have rough idle problem when in drive. Had 4 different dealers work on it with no luck. They just say V8s idle rough in this vehicle because idle RPM is set too low for lower emissions. Cant change computer settings. What bull! If buying this vehicle used, look for one with at least 15,000 miles. This idle problem does not set in until later. Very smooth running V8 but idle at red lights or traffic a joke. Passengers will ask you whats wrong with your car? Brakes also need frequent work. Only buy this vehicle with a power driver seat.

• 

  Love My Liberty - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By cdomasco - November 29 - 4:06 pm

  I bought my Liberty from a private owner in 2003. I have absolutely enjoyed my Jeep and hope it has a long life. Currently, it has 53,000 miles on it. The only major issue I had with my Jeep was that I had to have the entire steering column (rack) replaced because of a loose pin and a leaking seal. The dealership quoted me a price somewhere around $3,000, but fortunately, I had the extended warranty and the cost was covered. Moon roof motor also had to be replaced under warranty. Only complaint that I have is the service Ive received at multiple Jeep dealerships.

• 

  Renegade lover! - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By Keith from Carmel - November 29 - 10:00 am

  excellent in snow & mud, I live on the top of a steeply inclined road that is usually the last one to get plowed after a snowfall. This vehicle has had no trouble on this hill where my 1996 GMC Jimmy has struggled.

• 

  Wheres the beef? - 2008 Jeep Wrangler
  By bentjeep67 - November 28 - 5:30 am

  Just bought a new 08 x Wrangler, I have owned over twenty jeeps, cjs, yjs, tjs. I wish I could meet the engineer that decided to put the minivan engine in this Jeep! What was he thinking? The Jeep is perfect in every way except fuel economy and power! I can deal with the fuel economy, but I like to write off my poor gas mileage to power! Not doggy lagging at stop lights. The 4.0 was the best ever made, and Im sure thats why they replaced it, they last too long. My Jeep is amazing other than the power. My advice to Jeep is dont fix whats not broke!

• 

  Poor clothing seats material - 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By muaid momany - November 28 - 4:33 am

  2015 Grand Cherokee Altitude, it drives great and I love the way it looks with sharp style. But I got disappointed with the quality of the interior seat. The seats are kind of mix clothing with surrounding leather. After 3 months of purchasing I started to notice that the middle of drivers seat start to tear on me. I contacted the dealer and they took a pic and sent to the Chrysler trying to replace the seat since it still under manufacture warrantee, but the response was negative. I am really disappointed and still angry because I am very sure that was not my fualt and I am not a smoker.So this replacement is going to cost me about $800.