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:

• 

  Very impressed - 2012 Jeep Patriot
  By fallguy83 - April 11 - 1:15 am

  Purchased our 2012 Patriot in Feb. of 2014. My wife totaled my 2003 Tacoma 4x4 after hitting some black ice and losing control. Thank the Lord my wife was fine other than some bruises and a concussion. We decided we needed something better on gas and with a closed back end to haul things out of the weather. 4 wheel drive is a must since we live on a farm and do get snow in our part of Kentucky often enough. Weve put nearly 20k on it in the year weve had it and love it. Has had no issues and like every owner says, dont listen to the magazine and professional reviews. This thing is a great vehicle and value for the money.

• 

  Just bought it - 2008 Jeep Wrangler
  By weber - April 10 - 5:20 am

  The new Jeeps are very fun and much more easy to drive. they ride very comfortably. The problem is my door hinge was not bolted on all the way and now the brake light has come on and staying on. No fluid leak no loss of fluid.

• 

  Get a 1995 or earlier for a used Jeep! - 1995 Jeep Wrangler
  By West Dawg - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 1995 Wrangler new and its as solid as they come. Ive put $78,000 miles on it and have only replaced the muffler, and I damaged the muffler while off road. Other than that just put in the oil and go! If you are in the market for a used Jeep the models from 1995 and older are cheaper to maintain, cheaper to lift, do custom things with and more durable than the Jeep Wranglers made from 1997 on (There was no 1996 model). The Wranglers made from 1997 on are basically Grand Cherokees with a Jeep body (to put it simply). The suspension repairs or a lift kit on the newer Jeeps cost a fortune!

• 

  Back yard plant holder! - 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By 7774u - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I have had other Jeeps out there and this one is the first one that ever fell apart so fast out of the three. Unlike other Jeeps I had I dont trust the 4by system in this Jeep. It came with a Select Trac that does get me stuck at times unless you like to creep in low! The ABS light comes one with long trips resulting in a loss of power brakes and steering! It does have its up and downs and right now its and an all time low. I would probally have gave this Jeep a better rating if I had bought it brand new. I bought it 4 yrs old w/ 100k! I will say this truck has tried to hold up with me. Ive put 25k in 9 months until it died!

• 

  Best Vehicle I Ever Bought - 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By murph - April 10 - 2:00 am

  This SUV was a gem. Not a single problem until 100,000 miles and that was only minor. Very capable off-road performance as well.

• 

  Great Vehicle - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By great outdoors - April 10 - 2:00 am

  A few minor problems in the beginning. But dealership handled it and havent had any problems since. Never had a single brake problem like everyone else talks about. As a matter of fact i have only put one set of front brakes on in 88000 miles and no rear brakes yet. Handling is key in this vehicle, i would put it up against any other suv on the market for cornering, and believe me i have driven nearly everything out there in its price range.

• 

  Very Fun, bulletproof but expensive - 1998 Jeep Wrangler
  By agildner1 - April 9 - 5:53 am

  My first vehicle(a jeep isnt a car) is a 98 sport with the 5 speed. I have both tops and hard doors, and its still very loud(I have NOISY mud terrain tires which dont help). I have driven this things over ice, then the ice cracked and I was bogging through 3 ft of mud with ice scraping along the bottom and no problems from that. This Jeep has 192,000 miles and has been well abused like no other vehicle. But its been expensive. trans rebuild at 190K($800) is only vehicle related part but I still got many miles on it. Other problems that all cars will have is new power steering pump($120), AC system overhaul ($250), brakes ($150). I did all the work myself(very easy to work on). FUN!!!

• 

  Reliability to the extreme - 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By crhern - April 9 - 12:13 am

  I inherited my Jeep as a gift, it had 210,000 miles on it and everything was still original. Its an inline 6 limited now it has 240,000 miles on it and only the fuel pump and the radiator have been replaced everything else is still good. As many people say move the spare tire! Its annoying Ive seen a few grand Cherokees where the spare is mounted on the liftgate like any other SUV and the rear window doesnt open other than those two things its awesome good power and ride, comfortable Im definitely getting another Jeep in the future so is the girlfriend

• 

  New Liberty kicks assphalt... - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By Jeepers - April 8 - 3:06 am

  In my experience of 2 days with this vehicle..I love it..and cant wait to go to a Jamboree this summer and get it dirty. The ride is a lot better than I ever expected a Jeep to have. The interior is very comfortable and roomy. Has plenty of passing power and is actually very quiet at speed on the highway.

• 

  I LOVE IT! - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By Jess - April 7 - 11:43 pm

  Absolutely love my Jeep Liberty. Its great.