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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  Jeep Rubicon: 3 Years Later & Loving It! - 2003 Jeep Wrangler
  By John - June 25 - 6:43 pm

  After 3 years of ownership and more than 35,000 miles of driving in every type of weather, terrain, on-and off-road condition, I have to say that the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon has impressed me as the best built and most capable Jeep that Ive owned to date--this one makes Jeep #6. For a Jeep, the ride is comfortable and the seats allow greater adjustment over past models. The suspension is firm and well matched for both on road handling and off-road articulation. The hard top and soft top are both made well and equally quiet when driving at highway speeds. The sailcloth soft top is holding up much better than my previous soft tops from earlier TJ models. This ones a keeper!

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  Nice car for the money - 2016 Jeep Patriot
  By Petrified_2014@Yahoo.com - June 23 - 4:37 pm

  I paid $18,500 for the manual 4wd sport version. I opted for the all weather capability package and the 3 tow hooks look great on the bumper. I also got A/C . Nice car for the money. The cheapest Patriot is only $3000 more than the cheapest car in America ( Nissan Versa) . I got the Patriot in Eco Green and it really stands out. All I ever see is black,white red or blue Patriots . Eco Green looks really nice. The Patriot has a silky smooth manual transmission and shifts really well. The critics say the Patriot is underpowered. I get more power with manual. The manual version cost $6000 less than the automatic version. Glad I learned how to drive manual ! I would never pay $6000 extra to get the automatic version. Its not worth it. The interior is really nice. Nothing fancy. Lots of plastic and thats good. Itll last. The seats are comfortable and adjust well . The windows are kind of small and visability is reduced somewhat. Ill get use to that. The version I got has crank windows and manual locks. I hate automatic windows because you have to turn the key to make them work when the engine is off. With AC , how many times do you open windows ? Just another thing that might break down. The instrument panel looks really nice and the steering is great . The car drives really well and theres no rattles when you drive on rough roads. I got all weather mats with the All weather capability option. The mats are so so . I thought the mats would cover the whole floor area . These mats are cheap. The tow hooks are definatly worth it. It looks really Jeep . Every Jeep should come with tow hooks. Plenty of headroom ! Im 6 foot six and the roof is 3 inchs above my head. Leg room is good in the front. If the front seats are all the way back I can still squeeze into the back seat if I spread my legs to each side of the seat. A shorter family will do just fine. My only complaint , Chrysler changed the powertrain warranty . The 2015 model had 5 years/100,000, the 2016 model has 5 years/60,000 . That change irritated me. I expected 5 years /100,000 miles. Glad I bought the Jeep Patriot.

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  Nothing Can Replace It! - 1999 Jeep Cherokee
  By Binski - June 22 - 3:53 am

  I have had my Jeep since my junior year of high school. It got me to and from college countless times, three moves, and even an annual 1,000 mile round trip vacation. This car has never broken down and I have never needed roadside assistance in the 8 years I have owned it. However, AC finked out at 90,000 and many minor repairs were also made, adding up quite a bit. But I cant complain, this car is the epitome of reliable- snow storms, white outs, blinding rain? No problem, always has got me through! The design has no bells and whistles, mine doesnt even have cruise control, but thatss what makes this car fun! Its a truck and meant to be simple.

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  Liberty rocks! - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By liberty girl - June 21 - 12:40 pm

  Bought the Liberty due to driving 36k miles a year and half of them in inclement weather. This Jeep rocks! It is awesome in the snow and ice and no.... there is not a slide factor! Beefy, rugged and so beautiful. Im a Liberty girl for life!

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  Wow - 2008 Jeep Wrangler
  By Patrick - June 21 - 1:26 am

  This north American Icon is truly the funnest vehicle I have ever driven. Excellent vehicle good fit and finish quiet interior.

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  BlakeE 2006 Jeep Unlimited Review - 2006 Jeep Wrangler
  By BlakeE - June 21 - 12:53 am

  I spent 4 months last year researching the 2006 Jeep Wrangler after I noticed the Wranglers at the 2005 Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City. First I wanted to know about each model from the Sport, X, SE, Rubicon, Unlimited and the Rubicon Unlimited. I found that the Silver Wrangler Unlimited with the 25H package was the one for me. After I drove it home, it took a week to finally hit me that I own a 2006 Jeep Wrangler and it felt good about the purchase. Then that same week it snowed and ice was all over the place. I drove it to work about 16 miles and it handled great and didnt slip once on the ice. It handles great on and off the road. The Unlimited rides smooth on the highway with no noise.

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  Love My New Patriot! - 2016 Jeep Patriot
  By Monte - June 20 - 9:45 pm

  Wow this small sized suv is comfortable to drive and handles well. Quick accelerating I purchased the 2.4 liter 16 valve and so far its an amazing suv. I really recommend taking a test drive for yourself I was so glad I did. Plenty of room seats are comfortable the warranty is amazing jeep did well on this one.

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  jeep lover forever - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By violet baldrick - June 20 - 8:40 pm

  i love my jeep. this is the 2nd jeep i have had and i will not change for anything else. i driver a jeep liberty and i get my compliments on it every time i drive it. it has a bomb stereo system and the heated seats and leather interior are definitely a plus in the winter months. one of my co-workers liked my liberty so much he now drives one himself. i get 19 miles per gallon and that is the only thing that i would like changed. i can go anywhere with my 4 wheel drive and believe me we do! i had a jeep cherokee laredo before and sold it to my daughter and she still drives it everywhere.

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  I love my Jeep!!!! - 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Jennifer - June 19 - 8:36 am

  I bought a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited Edition at the Beaver County Auto Mall in Monaca PA. I absolutely love the leather and walnut finish interior. The outside is sleek and eye catching. It performs well and is good on gas mileage. I was in the market for a Wrangler but preferred the smooth driving of a Grand Cherokee. Would highly recommend!!

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  Unlimited Rubicon - 2005 Jeep Wrangler
  By unlim rubicon w/6 sp - June 19 - 3:26 am

  Ive only owned this vehicle for a couple of weeks but it is more than what I anticipated. Given the expected ride and noise levels of prior models the unlimited version is much quieter and rides much more smoothly. If you are in the market for a Jeep I would encourage you to go for the Unlimited Rubicon vs ANY of the others. The price differential is minimal given whta you get.