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:
Showing 261 through 270 of 9,359.00-
Be careful in hot areas... - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
By abloke - May 11 - 10:00 amGreat vehicle. Not a cross-over SUV. Drives well, comfortable seating, a lot of power. We have had it for 4 months now and are considering trading it in because of an inadequate air conditioning system. We live in the south and when the outside temp rises above 85 the vehicle doesnt cool down much past 80. It is ok in the front when the vents are pointed directly on you and the fan is on high, but the rear occupants dont get cooling that way. When the vents are pointed towards the back it doesnt make much difference. Jeep has recognized this problem and offers rear air vents in its 2005 models.
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Piece of Junk - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
By MAD Dog - April 27 - 10:00 amI cant believe that I actually bought another Jeep Grand Cherokee after the problems I had with the first two. My 2000 has been a supreme disappointment and like many others, I have sworn off Jeeps for good. No more American crap for me. Major brake problems that have now cost me over $800 to fix, locking problems on the doors (a $300 fix), a clunking noise in the transmission and an AWD problem that the dealer seems to think Im imagining. Jeep should be ashamed of themselves for not bucking up and covering some fo the costs associated with these repairs -- its going to cost them in the long run.
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Stalls out - 2008 Jeep Compass
By virgin island - April 26 - 9:40 amIs a fairly comfortable ride, somewhat fun, but stalls out in the morning hours. Currently have a computer installed on the car to try to find the problem. Im hoping my family does not get hurt in a car accident, cause by the car stalling out. Might have to sue the dealer and Chrysler.
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Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited V8 - 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
By Steve - April 24 - 6:06 pmBought in March 2002 new. Now 70k miles. Problems only: brakes and rotors fixed 4 times, differential leak twice-still leaking, ac air blend door actuator replacement ($1300), starter, power steering line replacement-leaking again!, CD changer-just installed third one!, fuel pump, passenger side mirror memory replaced by dealer at 20k-still not working, front and rear shocks leaking at 40k!, noisy power steering, battery died at 12k, heater core replacement at 57k, lights on dashbord goes off sometimes for a few seconds! WHAT NEXT? Are this parts from 99 cents store? Manufacturer should include extra Jeep with purchase of new one for parts like buy 1 get 1 free.
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Overpriced Vehicle - 2005 Jeep Liberty
By Mel Kessler - April 17 - 11:33 pmFor what you get, the vehicle is overpriced. No problems of any kind, using this vehicle off road not the best idea.
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I want another Grand Cherokee! - 2002 Jeep Liberty
By Bart - April 16 - 11:06 amAround town, the Liberty rides quiet and smooth. It has good brakes and heats up quickly. Pickup is okay. On the downside, this vehicle is very thirsty. I havent been able to get better than 16mpg. With that kind of poor mileage, I should be driving a V8. The leather seats are of lesse quality, and they dont support my legs at all (Im 62"). Driving my Liberty at highway speeds does not inspire much confidence. Also, the interior glass fogs too easily.
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Liberty driven from new to 101000 - 2005 Jeep Liberty
By danzjeep - April 15 - 1:26 amFront Drive Line problems - Speedometer fluctuates and even stalled the car - idler pulley went out - AC failed 2 times. At 101 cruise control is not working and the drive line is thumping again. Not a great car.......
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6th Time Back to Dealer for Continued Problems! - 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
By jvesci - April 12 - 10:27 pmI left a review this summer only 30 days into the purchase of my 14 JGC Ltd. and reported that I was having multiple problems mainly with the U-Connect system. Im now reporting back 7 months later into owning this complete hunk of monkey crap which has now been in the Dealers shop 6X for U-Connect and other "electronic issues/failures". Chryser is so tired of hearing from me that they decided to rip out my Jeeps U-Connect and replace it with a brand new one. They told me "this would fix everything". Continued problems I am facing include HVAC malfunction, no heat, airbag failure, U-Connect black screen, seat belt malfunction, Phone, Radio, Navi malfunction, the list goes on and on and on
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Back yard plant holder! - 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
By 7774u - April 10 - 2:00 amI 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!
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1995 Grand Cheerokee Laredo - 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee
By Johannes Montgomery - April 2 - 10:00 amTransmission needed work 62000 miles Needed front brakes 62000 miles Fuel economys not the best.Larger fuel tank costs more to fill.Bought used .
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