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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  "Cheap" Grand Cherokee - 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Jimmy - January 29 - 12:06 am

  Well, this car was the worst one we ever bought. The brake rotors warped within 8 months of driving it out of the lot, the air conditioning is hot in the summer, but the heating is marginally good in winter. The fan relay went at 38k miles. The fog light on-indicator burned out at 39k miles and one of the power outlets doesnt work. At 33k miles the seatbelt failed to retract. The car floats all over the road. The tilting steering wheel jumps out of its last position when you go over a bump. Do not, whatever you do, by a used Jeep Grand Cherokee. I wouldnt say its trail rated---I would say its "fail" rated.

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  Dont be fooled by "Cute" - 2018 Jeep Compass
  By Jeff - January 27 - 8:45 pm

  I rented the 2018 Compass and it is is "cute" but has a sluggish 2.4 Cylinder engine, a transmission that to this day Jeep (the ZF-9 Speed) , just cant seem to get to shift right, a dreadful stop-start system, and an air conditioner that even on high is marginal at best. The vent air flow to the driver, by the vent to the right of the drivers steering wheel, is blocked by the steering wheel. Howd they miss that? If someone is hell bent on owning a Jeep buy the Cherokee. For just a few more dollars the ride, comfort, and overall experience is at least 50% better. You still get the lousy transmission but at least you have the option of a V6 (at least in the 2017s). The Cherokee tracks much better on the road also, like its on rails. The Compass, not so much -like to wander more. The interior of the Compass is like a Jeep Cherokee Mini-Me. Fits so much better in the Cherokee. I actually owned a 2015 Cherokee for two years and loved the car except for the transmission. That alone was enough to make me trade the vehicle at 50,000 miles. Maybe they get it right in the 2018 Cherokee. Anyhow.....the Compass is cute.....but you can do much better with your hard earned dollars.

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  Jeep Junk - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Jeep Junk - January 24 - 1:10 pm

  Its hard to know where to start, ok, the good, great looks. there done. The bad, everything, always in the shop, from drive line to electrical, heating and a/c to braking to cooling to, well everything. Paint peeling to add to it. worst vehicle i have ever owned, do not purchase this Jeep and year or any other, save yourself the pain and hassle, oh and money. Dealership can never fix it, wish someone would steal it so I would never see it in the drive way again.

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  Jeep = Worst Junk Car - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Charlie H - January 24 - 10:00 am

  It is such a junk car!!! Since I bought it, I have kept getting back to dealer for repairing, radio noise,gas tank leak,window noise, power window not working,power seat not moving, door can not be unlocked, engine check light on, so on........If any one wants a reliable car, never look at the Jeep!!!! Take the lesson from me! But you like the fancy functions and dont care to visit Jeep car dealer for fixing "small problems" once a month, go ahead for it.

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  worst vehicle I ever bought - 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By tkesteloot - January 20 - 10:14 pm

  The ride was super, the looks super, power was ok, my problem with the V-6 was that standing still or driving there was a constant vibration in both the steering wheel and the floor. Jeep could not fix the problem and it became so iritating that with less than 1000 miles on it, I ended up trading it for a Dodge at a huge loss of money. Would not recoment the V-6 to anyone. Drove two other Jeeps with the V-6 and they also vibrated, the floor and the steering wheel and one of the two the shift lever was also vibrating.

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  Not make as good as the older jeep - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By walker - January 18 - 6:58 pm

  This jeep is poorly made, So many problems since I brought this new. jeep . In the past I owned 2 jeeps...a 1997 lasted 259. 000 miles and 1999 both were well made and basic trouble free. Not this junk...no more jeeps after this

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  overrated - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By lulu - January 16 - 3:46 am

  The Jeep compass is one of the most overrated vehicles out there. It is not a safe vehicle, it is a vehicle with Major engine problems. Ive owned it since September 2007 and I decided to drive it to my grandmothers funeral in Georgia, big mistake I barely made it home, majors engine problems, and all of a sudden my suv started sounding like a motorcycle, it have bolt and electrical problems. Now Im stuck with a 17,000 bill.

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  Big disappointment - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By JeepDisappointment - January 15 - 10:00 am

  After a month of owning my brand new jeep liberty, I had to take it to the dealership to repair a transmission leak. The car looks good on the outside but was sluggish when driving on an incline and slow in accelerating. I expected to keep my new car for 10 years as I kept my previous car which was not a jeep for 13 years. Needless to say, I am deeply disappointed and would now like to trade my car after owning it for just a month.

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  Will Never Buy Jeep Again - 2006 Jeep Liberty
  By hbfamilyof4 - January 12 - 1:26 am

  We have a 2006 Liberty and have had nothing but problems with the windows. First the rear driver side window just slid down one day about 6 months into the lease and never came back up again - we had never even lowered the window once since we got the car. Today, about 18 months into the lease, the drivers window did the same thing. I asked the service manager to inspect the other 2 windows so I dont have to come back 2 more times for the same problem and he said no - they have to break first. Jeep knows about the problem and refuses to issue recall - beware!!!

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  2010 JEEP LIBERTY - 2010 Jeep Liberty
  By STAN - December 29 - 5:53 am

  We bought this Jeep libert new, off of the show room floor. I have a 2005 Rocky mt eduction with 40k miles and had no problems with it. So when my wife wanted a suv we choose another liberty. The engine light keeps coming on for a thermostat problem the dealer reset it and said they dont know why it came on. It came on the next day again. They reset it again. That night the light came on again, my wife called again so we are off to Jeep again, maybe they will look it this time and try to fix it, not just clear the fault. Her gas mileage is terrible. It is so bad she got under the truck and checked for a gas leak.