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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  AWESOM RIDE - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By WARNER - June 6 - 10:00 am

  IIIIIIIIII LOVE THIS RIDE HAD IT OVER A YEAR AND WILL BUY ANOTHER. RECENT ICE STORM THIS THING SAVED MY FAMILYS LIFE. AWESOM BRAKING NOW. MECHANIC FRIEND SAID DO NOT TIGHTEN WHEELS WITH AIR WRENCH JUST TIGHTEN WITH TORQUE WRENCH...NO BRAKE PROBLEMS SINCE. THE STEREO IS SUPURB INFINITY DID GREAT. AWESOME HEATER AND FUN RIDE...LOOKS LIKE A PERFECT MIXTURE BETWEEN MACHINE AND ART...WILL BUY ANOTHER.

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  Great decision, I love it.. - 2008 Jeep Commander
  By What a JEEP!! - June 4 - 1:16 pm

  Well, I have had my Jeep Army Green 08 Jeep Commander for about 8+ months now and am as happy today with my purchase as I was when I made it. I paid cash, got the lifetime power Trane and opted for the lifetime bumper to bumper since I had my last Grand Cherokee for 11 years I figured it would pay off. The Boston Acoustic stereo is fantastic. The sunroof and 2 additional sunroofs in the back seat area are cool, kids love them. A/C power in back seat helps out and heated leather seats are great looking and comfortable. When we go up the Pocono Mountains it very smartly shifts for steep inclines providing plenty of power with the 6 cyl.

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  Its a Jeep thing - 2006 Jeep Wrangler
  By wr pug - June 3 - 11:43 pm

  I have wanted a Jeep for many years. I finally gave in and purchased one --- and it is a real kick to drive. I really have only one complaint, as most Jeep owners note and thats the Jeep MPG. I get 20 overall but the Jeep is not a small square box that gets outrageous mileage. I would take my Jeep any day over that plain square box that we see zipping around these days. The bottom line is thats its really is a Jeep thing and non-Jeep owners dont know what they are missing out on.

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  The Best One Yet - 2008 Jeep Wrangler
  By Bullfrog - June 3 - 6:40 am

  This is my 3rd Wrangler. Had an 02 and 04 and just traded in my 04 for the new 08 model. The engine on this model is significantly more quiet and has better pick up and gas mileage than my previous models. The additional 6" of length and width also make the new model much more comfortable to drive on the highway. I got the 2dr Sahara with the MyGig Navigation and the Power Group (windows and locks). The MyGig is awesome, loaded 2GB worth of music. The new softtop is cool because you can fold back the portion over the front seat without having to remove the entire top. My wife, who currently drives a Z71 Tahoe, now wants the 4 door Unlimited with Freedom Hard Top! I highly recommend!

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  Great on freeway, great off-highway too - 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By RL Allison - June 2 - 2:40 pm

  Purchased my Jeep used with 45,000 Arizona desert-mtn-backroad miles. Have driven it over Calif freeways, AZ hills and Nevada back road exploring. Only had regular maintenance and tune-ups. Replaced windshield with sand-storm damage; added dealer-installed tow system. Only recently replaced shocks and suspension; brake rotors, etc. I have thoroughly enjoyed its reliability and dependability in difficult situations whether highway or sandwashes, creek beds or steep cliff conditions. Recent engine work but have been greatly satified with this Jeep- also my previous 1990 Jeep Cherokee 4WD - in the past fourteen years.

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  Small but good - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By auto - June 2 - 12:33 pm

  Like this better than compass. Doesnt have as many blind spots. Ride is Nice , seats are comfortable, transmission is smooth and lifetime on power train is great

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  Love this Jeep!!! - 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Prat - June 2 - 10:00 am

  Cant believe the deal I got on this Jeep! 97000 miles and its running stronger than I could have asked. Fuel economy is amazing compared to my fathers 4.3 V-6 GMC, I get 25-28mpg on the highway! Handles like a dream, and the Quadratrac is great. There are some squeaks and little rattles, but nothing overly noticeable. Wonderful quality. Love the leather seats, they are soft and comfortable. Tons of room, Im 62" and dont need the drivers seat all the way back. I love this Jeep more every day. I am very confident it will go over 200kmi!

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  The Renegade Trailhawk is fantastic. - 2017 Jeep Renegade
  By John - June 1 - 4:27 pm

  I got a free loaner from my Jeep dealership because my 2016 Jeep Patriot manual transmission wasnt working right. Had 17,000 miles on the car when it went down. The air bag sensor had to be replaced as well. Patriot was fine before these issues. The dealer lent me a 2017 Renegade Trailhawk and I loved it. Anybody whod buy the Patriot with freedom drive 2 is crazy because you could buy the Renegade Trailhawk for the same money and get much better fuel economy. and a thoroughly modern vehicle with blind spot detectors, back up cameras etc. Let me compare the 2 vehicles. HP : Renegade has 180hp, the Patriot has 172 HP. The seating in the Renegade is way more comfortable than the Patriot. It contours your body nicely and big tall people feel great in the bucket seats. Huge headroom like the Patriot. Back seats have the same legroom as the patriot. Cargo space is a little less than in the Patriot. You get a full size spare in the Renegade Trailhawk, Patriot has a smaller spare . Instrument panel is 10 x better in the Renegade and looks really really rugged looking . The radio has a nice rugged look , The Patriot radio is very ordinary. I liked the look of the Renegade radio, but the small screen made the backup camera picture hard to see .I wish Jeep incorporated all the new Renegade stuff into the Patriot . The Patriot looks like a real Jeep, the Renegade looks KIA Soul like. Acceleration is fantastic in the Trailhawk version , but I wish it came with manual transmission. Its higher off the ground than the Patriot and has a better ride. The Patriot had more storage space. Id probably buy the Trailhawk if I had to decide again. I own land in upstate NY and visit during the winter. The Trailhawk would be great with its superior off roading and excellent gas mileage . I thought about buying the Patriot with the freedom drive 2 , but the gas mileage was horrendous . The Renegade is the Patriot with freedom drive 2 and it gets much better gas mileage. It all has the blindspot detector. If a car comes into your blindspot, the mirror will light up with a yellow dot telling you a car is in your blindspot. I love that feature. The AC and climate control are excellent and it was freezing in the car on a hot 90 degree day. I wish my Patriot had all this new stuff. But I dont really like the look of the car. Its not bad. I paid $18500 for my 4x 4 Patriot, the Trailhawk is $24000 on True Car. Very reasonable for a fuel efficient vehicle thats 10 x better off roading than anything Toyota, Honda , Hyundai has.

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  Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited - Hemi - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By erikb - May 28 - 6:10 pm

  Excellent on road and off road ride. Interior design excellent, but a bit too much hard plastic on the dash. The console armrest should be leather, with the seats. But love the vehicle.

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  Solid Ride - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By Scorphitman - May 25 - 6:23 pm

  I have owned 4 wheel drive vehicles for 30 years. This is this second Jeep Ive owned. I have 163,000 miles on it and no major issues with the vehicle. It has handled Rocky Mountain winters like a champ. I live at 8400 and have drive this vehicle in 18" of snow over dirt roads with no problems. Overall average fuel mileage is 18 mpg with the 3.7 L. Ive gotten 26 mpg on the highway. I put a 2.5" lift kit on it to run bigger 245/75/16 snow tires. Driver room is good as I am 63" 255 lb former college linebacker and am comfortable behind the wheel.