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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  Never Again - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By jeep4sale - March 30 - 10:06 am

  Not too much to say, other than Ill never buy another Chrysler product again. It only took 102,000 miles and the engine is blown. I was quoted $3,500 to replace it with a junkyard engine with 50k miles on it. I bought a used one with 400 miles on it and had installed by my brother (who is a service tech). My final cost was $1,200. It will be put up for sale immediately before something else goes wrong. The gas mileage is terrible for a six cylinder. Im lucky if I get 17 mpg on the highway. Never again. Ill be buying imports for the rest of my life.

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  junk - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By lexxii77 - March 28 - 10:53 pm

  I purchased a new Jeep Liberty earlier this year. At about 1200 miles I went to get an oil change, and the mechanic told me some fluid was leaking out of the rear end. I immediately went to the dealership to see about the problem. Came to find out that the rear end was going out. In order to have it fixed I had to leave it there for 3 days. They gave me the worst rental car I have ever seen, the windows wouldnt even roll down. I will never go back to that dealer again. I traded my Jeep in ( I lost money) and got something else. It was a problem waiting to happen.

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  what a lemon - 1999 Jeep Cherokee
  By Sean - March 20 - 10:36 pm

  i hate this car. it has died and lost all of it charm.

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  1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee - 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By jobu2010 - March 14 - 4:57 pm

  When running the Jeep is fun to drive, 1997 Cherokee gets horrible gas mileage, all fours running all-the-time stupid idea. Right now the Jeep does not run tranny sensors messed up. Look out Jeep is a money pit.

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  Just OK - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By Jen - March 12 - 8:26 pm

  I couldnt wait to get my Jeep Liberty and I loved it for the 1st few months. Then I started seeing little things here and there and now I would love to get rid of it!1st let me sayit is a very bumpy ride.When youre the driver you really do not notice it but look out if your the passenger, now I know why all the hand rails. It is terrible! I have a car seat in the back and I feel bad for my son getting bounced around all the time! 2ndly the trunk area is very small.. Can barley fit my familys luggage for vacation and I do not over pack. also, the back seat is pretty small, your knees rub on the back of the front seats. And I will never get used to the window controlls being in the middle.

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  Please Dont Buy! - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By Sharb22 - March 4 - 8:23 pm

  I traded my Jeep Liberty for Compass with 123 miles. Loved it at first, disappointed with mileage (av 21 mpg) because that was one of the salesmans biggest selling points, but it was better than old Jeep so I was happy. I didnt start putting a lot of miles on it until the second year (80 miles/day commute) and things then began going wrong. Have replaced R inner tie rod at 42,000 and now am replacing R and L ball joint at 59,000. Very expensive repairs. Ive no kids and interior still isnt holding up well. Plastic parts break easily and fabric seats stain and dont come clean. Will never, ever buy another Jeep or use Chrysler Financing.

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  My Wrangler - 1991 Jeep Wrangler
  By joehelmet - February 17 - 10:00 am

  Not for everyone. Look for one w/hardtop. New hardtops are ungodly expensive in retail aftermarket ($1600-$2K+). Get it with the jeep - figure out how to take it off later. Conversation at highway speed w/o hard top, forget it. A/C, forget it. Dont get too excited about a stereo system. A Jeep is a big vibrating square metal box & you fight road noise too. Recommend a bra/guard up front, or the Jeep grill gets all chipped up. Not for extensive traveling, OK for day trips. Can really have fun & trick it for 4-wheeling. Lots of fun stuff to buy. Watch the tranny with the 6-cyl., esp the 3-spd auto. But you still got to stomp it!

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  no more jeeps - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By marco alvarez - February 13 - 10:00 am

  since i bought my jeep i have had too many problems, brakes, steering noise, ghost bump, stalling, i have had 2 previous jeeps and this was the first one with these major problems, my 1997 JGC had brake problems, i now own a 2001 pathfinder. it just took one test drive around the block and i soon realized what real quality meant

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  Poor engineering - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By Juan - February 11 - 5:06 am

  Vehicle is less than a year old with 11,000 miles. We drove it with utmost care, and now have to have major repairs. Oil is foamy, loss of coolant, gurgling sound while driving. Can you say - blown head gasket, cracked head or both?

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  Fun junk - 2009 Jeep Wrangler
  By 09jeep - February 6 - 7:06 pm

  This thing is a fun. There is nothing like being able to drive with no roof and no doors, no other new vehicle can do that. Not to mention the offroad capability, which is also unmatched. Having said that, this is the worst vehicle Ive ever owned. 7000 miles and the clutch has gone bad 3 times. (throwout bearing noise - common problem) Also leaking hardtop, lots of other small problems. Cheap materials and build quality everywhere you look. Check out some JK wrangler forums, mine isnt the only one with issues. "Its a jeep thing" doesnt change the fact that $30,000 ought to get you a better vehicle than this.