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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  2014 GC Summit - 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By mema124 - April 3 - 8:10 am

  Have had this GC a little over 1 yr and have had it to service on average once a month including 2 recalls and Im waiting for the 3rd one. For the last 3 months the car has a creeking ( like walking on a old wood floor ) that starts in the back and moves all around the car,including when you shut the car off it still continues,It was in the shop for what should have been 2 days turned into 10 days and less than 2 miles down the road it started doing the same thing .I have recorded the sounds numerous times abd have them saved .Today as it sat running in my garage I raised the back and i could hear it coming from the rear door I put my hand around touching and felt so much play.Not normal ,

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  Love it - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By jane - April 3 - 3:16 am

  Well, Ive only had it for a couple of days now, but so far, its awesome! First day of ownership, it snowed pretty good where I live and it handled great in the snow and ice. Its extremely comfortable with way more room inside then I expected from a Mid- sized SUV. My kids who are teenagers now have plenty of legroom in the back and the rear cargo space holds all that I need. We already own a Jeep Wrangler (1995) which has been more reliable then any vehicle weve ever owned and because of that, we chose the Liberty over the Sorento, Escape and Santa Fe when we test drove all of them. Very happy and Im sure other potential buyers will be as well. Its fun...youll love it!!!

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  big red - 1995 Jeep Wrangler
  By Chris G - April 3 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my Jeep from a private owner that knows how to take care of a vehicle. It had 49,000 miles on it, and the engine compartment, interior/exterior were mint showroom condition. Ive driven it to Minn. from NC. and back, all over the NC mountains,and use it as my daily comuter as well. Ive owned other SUVs that rode a little smoother, and a little quieter, but never so dependable. It will go anywhere I want to put it. I just recently pulled the new monster H2 Hummer out of a muddy river bank, because it costs $60,000 for status and not performance.

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  More and more parts breaking down... - 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By D Reda - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Bought it with 55k miles, now it has 112k, over about 3 years. Freakin electronic parts are hugely expensive! Stuff keeps breaking down! Fortunately never the same thing twice (yet) Ive poured tons of $s into this thing. I want something with fewer electronics, and more reliability!

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  Piece of #$%@# - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By James Yates - April 3 - 2:00 am

  It is the worst vehicle I have ever owned. In 57000 miles the rear axle has been replaced 3 times, 5 power door locks,the AC, the alarm, the transmission. This is the 1st american made car I have owned in 15 years and It will be the last. The Jeep dealer wont stand behind it at all.

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  GREAT SUV, FUN TO DRIVE - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By GPD315 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  FIRST SUV IVE EVER BOUGHT. ITS BEEN A GREAT EXPERIENCE. FUN TO DRIVE, GREAT GAS MILAGE, 6 CYLINDER HAS PLENTY OF POWER. EXTERIOR IS PLESING TO LOOK AT, UNLIKE THE OLD BOX STYLE IT USED TO HAVE. INTERIOR IS DESIGNED APPROPRATLEY FOR DRIVER AND PASSENGER NEEDS.

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  running renegade, if you feed it! - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By kellyb - April 3 - 2:00 am

  This Renegade is a great all around vehicle. If you feed it, it will run. It pulls a 6 by 12 trailer with big motorcycle no problems, both power and handling do it well.

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  I LOVE MY RUBY - 2004 Jeep Wrangler
  By Wiz OIIIIIIIO - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Had Vette convertibles for many years, and the Ruby is just as much fun to drive. Jeeps and Vettes both have the "wave". Can go many places offroad in 2wd, that in other vehicles you would need to be in 4wd. Just a FUN vehicle.

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  Jeep Rubicon - 2004 Jeep Wrangler
  By RubiOwner - April 3 - 2:00 am

  My new Rubicon almost immediately destroyed my life - my wife, and oldest son were constantly trying to take it away from me. I broke down and bought a second Wrangler for them to fight over - a 2003 Sport. I bought my first Jeep back in 1977. They have sure come a long way since then. Both my Jeeps are hard tops - they are asy to remove and the heater and A/C both work better. Gas mileage is unjustifiably poor - the excuses dont cut it. My bigger, heavier Suburban with a much bigger engine gets better mileage than either one of the Jeeps and there is nothing aerodynamic about a Suburban. Expect 15-17 TOPS!

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  Happy with change - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By MFM440 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  We decided to trade our very nicely equiped Grand Cherokee Ltd. for an 04 2wd Liberty Renegade. Retired, we didnt need the larger vehicle and felt we could live without the thirsty 4.7L. I was concerned about performance going to V-6. Not any more. We are very happy with the Libertys performance, fuel economy and overall handling.