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:

• 

  LOVE the thing - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By Lee - August 29 - 5:26 pm

  Bought mine new - Limited interior with the Sport exterior. Other than the transmission bogging down between 40-60 mph, its been a pleasure to own & drive. Love it, love it love it & border collies look killer in it.

• 

  Test drive - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Drew - August 28 - 10:39 pm

  When I was test driving the car the noticed when I accelerated the car was very lound inside the car then when the dealer drove it say it wasnt lound. What does that mean is there anything wrong?

• 

  Most fun you can have with the top down - 2001 Jeep Wrangler
  By JeepConvert - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive, on or off road. Ive had several cars, this is the best thing I have ever paid money for. It is worth every penny.

• 

  Bad Brake rotors - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Stan C - August 28 - 10:00 am

  I recently bought this car used with 51000 miles on it. Its is a great car but all the brake rotors where warped and I replaced all of them. The brake pada where ok and where reused, The milage seem to be in the 16 to 20 MPG range depending on the driving. It has the 4,7 ci in engin with Quadrtrack.

• 

  reliability - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By ed wess - August 28 - 6:06 am

  3 and half years old with 150,000 miles replaced starter, tires, brakes and tune up nothing more. Msrp 32,000 bought for 26,500 plus parts total cost 27,500 cant beat it.

• 

  Just turned 15 yrs old and 200,000 miles! - 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Beelzebubba - August 26 - 5:46 am

  My parents bought it new in December 1994 and it just passed the 200k mark! It has been far more reliable than anything else weve ever owned. My mom drove it for nine years, then my dad for the next four years after that. They gave it to me over two years ago to use a second vehicle. Still runs and drives like a champ!

• 

  Gas Guzzling, but Utiltitarian - 2008 Jeep Commander
  By DEREK GRANT - August 25 - 12:16 pm

  Its actually pretty nice. Good size. Not compact at all, but not the size of a Suburban despite seating 7. On the other hand, itll burn a hole into your account with the cost of fuel. Avg in the city: 12. Yea... like a 70s barge. Avg on the highway: 17. Which is the lowest end on the spectrum of fuel efficiencies in other cars similarly sized. But, it is capable of going basically anywhere...

• 

  Good Enough - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Jesse - August 25 - 7:30 am

  I bought this Jeep with 98000 miles on it. At first I was skeptical to say the least. I was wrong. It is slightly under powered but I think that is solved with the v8. I use this Jeep as a work vehicle and my only complaint is that it wont hold all my tools. I am impressed.

• 

  It is what is is and thats not all bad. - 2008 Jeep Wrangler
  By Bill B - August 24 - 1:43 pm

  Driving on the open road is terrific have yet to take it off road. Because of the low gearing of the transmission you must be ready to take off when the light turns green. This is were more power is needed without question. Love the seats which are curved like sport seats to hold you in place.

• 

  95 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0 - 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Joe - August 23 - 11:00 am

  Purchased used with 60K+. Mileage now is 106k. It seemed after the 100k. it was one thing after another. However most was minor. The one major problem that I had was violent shaking and bouncing and the worst part was when I took it in, the problem could not be replicated. Finally a local mechanic put an off road steering dampener on! Problem solved. Before this the dealership replaced; stock steering dampener, front shocks and a motor mount. So if your having that shimmy SHAKE SHAKE... off road steering dampener.