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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  Best GC so far...but not without problems - 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By jeepster2011 - November 22 - 11:43 pm

  Bought the 2011 GC Overland (V8) white with saddle. Best looking SUV for the money. This is my 3rd GC and by far the best. The interior is the best I have ever seen in an SUV. Nice touches are the lighted door handles and door pockets. The ride, handling and acceleration are top notch. The adaptive cruise (ACC) and forward collision (FCW) work great. If youÂ’re looking for good fuel economy look elsewhere (15 mpg with Hemi). Unfortunately, all is not well. Problems so far include: iPod communication with the 730 RHR radio is intermittent(no fix), rear seat had cut in leather from factory, radio developed static and had to be replaced, and vehicle would drift right.

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  Limited 4.7 V8 4x4 - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By brianm929 - November 22 - 6:08 pm

  This has been an excellent vehicle for me. Bought it at 50,000 kms and am selling at 140,000 kms. The engine has been excellent. I had one small oil leak which was fixed on warrant. The seat heaters had to be replaced twice on recall. My number one complaint has been the HVAC blend doors. I have had those break and replaced twice. Not cheap. Other than that this has been a great vehicle. Its solid and really has had very few issues except those darned blend doors. This is my second and Im buying my third.

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  Love the Car! - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By Berrywood - November 21 - 1:03 am

  I love the looks and the performance of this SUV. The only problem with mine is the 2.4 L engine is too small to carry the weight of this vehicle, even using a 5 speed manual transmission. The fuel economy is the same or less than the 3.7 L automatic (of course, some of that is the way I drive, heh, heh!). I will definitely be buying another Liberty, but with the 3.7 L engine.

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  good car - 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By sydigital - November 19 - 7:19 am

  Got mine in 08 with 80k miles. I put another 100k miles on it before it was totaled in a wreck in 12. I loved this car. It was comfy and nice to drive. It had its problems, but thats to be expected with its age. Most of the issues were electrical: window motors going out, tail lights going out and check engine light came on and no one could figure out why. But I loved it and it will be missed.

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  Unstoppable - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By smckay - November 17 - 2:07 pm

  I bought my 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee (6 cyl.) in 2011 with 162,000 miles on it to use as a work truck. Im a construction contractor and used this truck accordingly. For the price Ive paid it is the BEST money ever spent. Ive been told that the in line 6 cylinder engine is the only way to go in that it will last for 300,000 miles. It is now at 200,000+ and runs great. There is some slipping in the transmission into 3rd gear but it stops when the engine is warm. I plan on driving it till it goes and will replace with another. It is a great beat around truck for me and I love this vehicle and will likely by a 2013 Grand Cherokee with the latest body style etc...

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  Jeep - 2007 Jeep Wrangler
  By still going - November 17 - 11:00 am

  You have to remember you didnt buy a Cadillac so it is still a rough ride but a huge difference if you had a jeep with soft top so the difference is now you can hear your stereo & you dont have to yell to speak to your passengers while driving. Very disappointed with the U-connect, we were told it was available and now we are told it cannot be installed because of our windshield what a sales pitch they gave us and then to inform us after a few months that we cannot get u-connect.

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  05 Jeep Grand Cherokee - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Rocky - November 11 - 4:53 am

  Rides GREAT, lots of extras that are standard. Wonderful design and build. Great power from a 3.7L V6! 4X4 model is a "all-time" making the fuel economy TERRIBLE. In a day of $3 a gallon fuel, this is a BAD "gas guzzler".

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  OK for now - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Navy44 - November 9 - 2:00 am

  66K and four sets of rotors. Two covered under warranty. Window regulator replaced under warranty. Transmission not refined, but no major problems. Vehicle has saved my butt numerous times in bad weather when others had lesser fortune. Would not recommend to others because of poor reliability.

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  Hope you love to buy Fuel! - 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Matt - November 8 - 2:13 pm

  Well I bought my 2001 Jeep GC Limited 6 months ago now with only 36k. I got a pretty good deal on it a $10,450. After a few problems that the dealer took care of for the most part it seems to be a pretty good truck. The Heated seats didnÂ’t work when I bought it (dealer took $1000 off because of it.) The night I drove it off the lot the heat went out on it took it back to the dealer and they had to replace a door the HVAC system. Another month later the ABS light came on and ABS stopped working, it turned out to be a bad speed sensor Dealer paid 50% on that. However on my way to the dealer to drop it off for the ABS the heat went out again. It was a different door in the HVAC system.

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  Jeep the wonder Vehicle - 1992 Jeep Wrangler
  By Jeepin dg - November 7 - 9:13 am

  I am aJeep fan but this is a vehicle of all trades -- it is not a master of anything on-road but it does it all and it can truely take you anywhere you want to be. For a daily driver I truely recommend it