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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  Stay away from Liberty diesel! - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By garbagediesel - October 15 - 9:40 am

  Thank god we leased this vehicle because the lemon law wouldnt cover the numerous different problems this thing has. We only had it 2 weeks before the check engine light came on and the nighmare began. It sat at the dealership for 3 weeks while they waited on a new egr valve. They got it and put it in only to go back 3 more times for 3 glow plugs and eventually a glow plug control module. All this before it had 7500 miles on. Fast forward 9 months later and the turbo explodes and takes out the new egr valve and strands my wife on the side of a busy road. We have Chrysler road side assistance so no problem, right? WRONG! It took them 33 ( yes thirty three) hours to tow it away. STAY AWAY!

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  Jeep Sucks - 1999 Jeep Cherokee
  By xxx - October 8 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is the worst Ive ever owned. It has been under two recalls, the foglamp switch was replaced twice in a two year period, it needs to be replaced again but Im not going to put the money into it. The drivers window mechanism went out in January of 2003, the vehicle wasnt even 4 years old yet. I have been extremely unhappy with this vehicle. My number one complaint is gas mileage.

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  For $45 buy a luxury SUV - Buyer Beware! - 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By KLH - October 3 - 2:40 am

  OK, I went to get my lease 08 Jeep and have regretted ditching my BMW every since. Soon after I picked up my overland the sealant on the quarter glass window started melting, took numerous calls to Leith Headquarters and Chrysler headquarters until they finally agreed to fix my Jeep. On top of that the electronic items in the car fail at any given time - including auto headlights!!! Still after all this time it malfunctions at any given time, stalls on the road while driving, speakers stop working, hard drive crashes and stalls, wipes out info stored in it, the list is endless as to what malfunctions on this Jeep!

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  I hate this car! - 2014 Jeep Cherokee
  By jenjane11 - October 2 - 1:14 pm

  I was so excited to get a new Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. I have been a Jeep owner for the past 14 years. I dislike the hard shifting in the lower gears. It has been in the dealer 3 times now with 4000 miles. The first time was due to a clunking noise when shifting - I was told there was nothing wrong. 2nd time for an oil leak. Now it has been in the garage for 2 days due to a transmission fluid leak. It was barely drivable- stuttering at every accererlation in low gears. Ridiculous!

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  Poor Quality & Customer Service - 2001 Jeep Cherokee
  By Tom D. - October 2 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Jeep Cherokee primarily due to the interior and exterior styling and positive reviews on the vehicle. Unfortunately, ongoing mechanical problems have been a nightmare. I will never purchase a Chrysler product again, as the poor quality of the vehicle and the horrible customer service on behalf of Golling Chrysler have proven that quality and customer satisfaction is not important to Chrysler.

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  Jeep JK Oil burning - 2007 Jeep Wrangler
  By cmik10121 - September 19 - 3:08 pm

  2007 4 door 4x4 automatic V6. This thing is a slug off road and in town. Freeway speeds 70 MPH plus it feels like it is at home. Trail rated....ha. Burns about a quart of oil every 1000 miles since 22000 miles. Got 58000 now and seems to be getting worse. It always has clean oil in it cause you have to add so much. No smoke, no drips on garage floor, no visible oil on the engine of underneath the jeep. Chrysler says it is normal and will do nothing about it. I got other vehicles with over 200K miles and might burn 1/2 quart 7500 miles. Not satisfied with this and will never buy another Chrysler product again. I wish someone else owned it... Search internet...comon problem.

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  Ticked Off! - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By Just Plain Ticked!!! - September 18 - 10:00 am

  As soon as I drove it off the lot, a sensor light came on. I turned around and brought it back. The dealer fixed it without any problems. A few hours later, the same problem happend. The sensor light came on. I took it in and the dealer fixed it. The next day I started to have suspension problems. I took it back to the dealership and they fixed it. Three hours later. By the end of the following week, it would not start. I had it towed to the dealership and they said it was the spark plugs. Ten days, 342 miles and 4 trips back to the dealer, I drove across the street to the Ford dealership and traded my Liberty for an Escape.

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  Never again! - 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By bluefishblitz - September 12 - 8:47 pm

  I bought a 2007 Grand Cherokee last April with only 54K miles on it. Within 6K miles the rear differential went and I had to have the rear axel replaced at the cost of $2K. Then a module went for my tranny to the tune of $1300. Then the battery recently went and Im having issues with my dashboard lights constantly flashing. My mechanic is at his wits end with the flashing so if anyone has had this happen and they know what caused it please post the solution. I have owned Jeeps before but I will never buy one again. I am going back to owning a Toyota.

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  Windows Regulators - 2006 Jeep Liberty
  By jimenez - September 4 - 11:40 pm

  I purchased this vehicle for my mother June of 2006. Since having purchased this vehicle my husband has replaced the window regulators on 3 of the 4 windows 3 times already. Recently the driver side window regulator went out, and he went to the dealership to purchase another one and was told that he would not only have to purchase the regulator but a new window due to a new design that Chrysler came up to prevent this from happening. It went from being $75.00 to now $300.00 to replace this part. This is ridiculous, you either buy groceries or fix the window. And the gas mileage isnt great either for a 3.7 Liter small vehicle. Not to mention the noise that it makes when driving on the HWY.

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  DEADONTHEROAD - 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By deadontheroad - August 31 - 2:00 am

  Purchased this vehicle after owning a 1993 Jeep Cherokee Country, I put 146K miles on it, basically the only reason I bought another Jeep!!! Drove this JGC exactly 430 miles and the trans wet out, using a loaner for a week and a half, new trans assembly should be installed by the end of the week. BUMMERS, should have kept my old faithful.