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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  Bad Gas Mileage 3.7l v6 - 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By ted - August 22 - 12:50 am

  Purchased This jeep off a lease with with 24k on it was hoping to get at least 18 to 20 mpg on the highway, best Ive gotten is 16.9 average and now it has dropped to 14.7 mpg, also wouldnt shift into reverse right away sometimes. Dealer said it was some kind of faulty shift mod, and supposedly replaced but it still acting up, Just had it in for oil change and noticed the transmission pan was all wet with fluid but we couldnt tell exactly where it was coming from maybe a bead seal on the pan, I have my eye on it. overall I love to drive the jeep.

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  Not Much Disappointment - 2008 Jeep Wrangler
  By DrDan - August 19 - 12:13 pm

  My 6th Wrangler. 5th brand new one. a 97,2000, 04, 95 (used), 06 and new 08. 97, 00, and 95 had 2.5L 4 cyls. 04 had a 2.4L. Downshifted constantly. 06 had a 4.0L 6cyl. 08 has a 3.8L. The 08 gets a couple MPG better but the electronic accelerator lacks. Body style is awesome. Interior, driver sits against the door and the biggest problem is the trip set button. They stuck it right behind the window washer/wiper lever. Every time you reset the trip odometer you get a window wash too. Overall I like it. Disc brakes all the way around are an improvement too.

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  Reliable fun and not much to go wrong! - 2002 Jeep Wrangler
  By mhitesman - August 19 - 3:06 am

  Owned just over 3 years. Never even one thing wrong with it. The ride in the backwoods is just as smooth as on the highway (rough!), but then I expected that. Cannot beat driving with the top down on a summer day. Gotta have the V6 -- people I know with the 4 cylinder are very sorry as itÂ’s underpowered. Not good gas mileage. Not a touring car.

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  Love it and Hate it - 2000 Jeep Wrangler
  By Jake - August 18 - 8:10 pm

  Had my Sahara since Feb. of 2000. Has 85,000 miles on it. Have had to replace the differential and the axle seals (twice). Probably have spent about $2k in replacement maintenance since purchase. Biggest complaint is noise! I have both the soft and hard top, unbearable on highway with soft, mostly unbearable with hard top. Cant even have a conversation with the other passenger. Guzzles gas like an F150 at half the size! But put the top down and drive it in the mountains, heaven.

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  Hey they arnt so bad... - 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By JamiePfef - August 18 - 3:03 am

  Well this was my first car that I paid for myself. Im currently 19 and have had my Jeep for something like almost 2 years. Its the bright red Laredo that I pretty much see everywhere! I love the look of it, its very sporty. I bought it from a credible Dodge dealer near me and it had around 80,000 miles on it. I got it for a little over $7,000. It was in perfect condition, everything was working fine. So far I have replaced my water pump and thats pretty much it. My rear parking brake broke off randomly and was clanking around in my wheel, got that taken care of but never fixed my parking brake. So it hasnt been too bad for me.

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  Nice for the price - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By Jeep lover - August 17 - 10:33 am

  I bought mine used with 21000 mls and i now have 41000mls in it and I love driving it. Mine is a blue 5 speed standard transmission. It is fun to drive easy to park has lots of get up and go. I love the fact that the rearseats fold down for more cargo space when needed. After a fresh rain it always looks like it came right out of the car wash.The interior could use some work. I have on piece of plastic interior that keeps popping out. I have an Ipod holder but you cannot use an Ipod when your model has the 6 cd changer. Love the sun roof, but the overall ride is rougher than I would like. gas mileage should be better for a standard 4 cyl. The four wheel drive works great use it lots in PA>

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  2004 Jeep Cherokee - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By disnygrl25@aol.com - August 16 - 5:23 am

  Overall truck is good, great deal when bought with all the rebates. However truck needs more power if you have the V6, but if you get the V8 you pay for it in gas!

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  SWEET - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By StlJeepgrl - August 15 - 5:06 am

  I have had the Liberty for 3 years now, and am very happy with it. If only the gas companies would lower prices! :) I am thinking that the next one will be a Grand Cherokee with a diesel in it ... due out within the next few years.

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  New Jeep isnt bad! - 2007 Jeep Wrangler
  By JeepJK - August 14 - 7:26 am

  This was my first jeep and I had done a lot of reading. The new 4 door jeep is really a nice vehicle and so far I have had no issues. I dont agree with those saying it is underpowered - while any vehicle could use more power, I dont have issues. Gas mileage is about 17MPG.

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  The most fun vehicle - 2010 Jeep Wrangler
  By Frank - August 14 - 5:30 am

  I love my jeep. It is truly the most fun car I ever owned. The ride is more comfortable than my 2001 Jeep wrangler.