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:

• 

  Thrilled in Indy with Jeep Liberty - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By ms morgan - December 13 - 10:00 am

  I had a Chrysler Concorde for 3 years. I had wanted a bigger car, I was driving a 88 Sundance (can you tell my father worked for chrysler 38yrs in indy. I felt I needed something more family and professional.It was wonderful to drive, but it was just not me. It made me feel old and it was too big. So when the Liberty came out--it had my name written all over it! And the limited is the bomb. I have a gold package too! I get compliments daily. And I still have all the luxuries of the Concorde and it sporty like the Cheeoke or Darango. Ill keep this car at least 10yrs.

• 

  mr - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By tbadzz2 - December 13 - 10:00 am

  we used to have a pontiac trans am. and after buying this jeep i wouldnt drive anything else

• 

  Jeep - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By Armory700 - December 13 - 10:00 am

  A great SUV for my wife. Its small size makes it easy for her to handle and extremly tight turns make it a sinch to park. Fun car!

• 

  We love our new Jeep Liberty! - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By Dee & Steve - December 13 - 10:00 am

  We just bought our new 2003 model Jeep Liberty two weeks ago. If wed known it would be this much fun, wed have bought it a long time ago! We love the luxury features and the nice ride!

• 

  I LOVE MY LIBERTY - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By DAWN WHITE - December 13 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE MY LIBERTY.IT IS JUST THE FUNNEST CAR TO DRIVE.I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH ITS HANDLING IN THE SNOW.MY PARENTS WENT OUT AND GOT A LIBERTY ALSO.I WOULD RECOMEND THEM TO ANYONE.

• 

  Great Jeep - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By kaelei hobbs - December 13 - 10:00 am

  I love my Liberty!!!!!! Couldnt ask for a better vehicle! Who ever came up with the body style had great style themselves. Its a looker and it get the looks

• 

  Love it, Love it, Love it! - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By 3 days 300 miles - December 13 - 10:00 am

  I just got my Liberty 3 days ago trading up from a wrangler. At first I wasnt even going to test drive one because I didnt like the way they looked (we also have a Santa Fe, love that too!} After test driving it and seeing all the features I had to have it!!

• 

  Jeep Lib 04 - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By lwjb34 - December 13 - 10:00 am

  i absolutley love this vehicle... it handles very well. Your getting a very reliable SUV.

• 

  Our Third Jeep - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By Carl Ross - December 13 - 10:00 am

  We have a Grand Cherokee and a Wrangler, so this is our third jeep. All are everything you could want in a vehicle. The Liberty is small enough to be easy to drive, big enough to be OK on comfort, and powerful enough to make it fun.

• 

  GO JEEPIN - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By SUNSHINE - December 13 - 10:00 am

  i LOVE IT!!! IT IS REALLY FUN TO DRIVE AND ITS SO CUTE!!!!