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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  Not for the faint of heart. - 2003 Jeep Wrangler
  By madmanstan - April 6 - 1:01 am

  If you plan on driving on the road all the time and you are very young, maybe this vehicl will do, but it has average gas mileage to be expected from an american SUV and its a rough ride in town. That said if you have time to actually use your jeep for offroading and trail running the jeep wrangler is excellent. I cant imagine trying to take a scion up some of the places I have gone in this jeep, and the soft top and removeable doors are always off. Great to drive at night in the summer here and the improved coilspring suspension is a step up from the older leafspring. Still stiff though, so like I say, its not for the faint of heart.

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  Wifes car - 1995 Jeep Cherokee
  By Nancys husband - April 4 - 2:00 am

  Bought for my wife, she loved it, I didnt. Reliable, solid little car. Not roomy enough for me (63"). No complaints on mechanical side but too small to travel in. I had a Suburban and she the Cherokee Country, sold the Suburban and gave the Jeep to my son and compromised on a Tahoe. The only thing she likes on the Tahoe is the heated seats. Looked at a used 2000 Classic for her this morning.

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  TJ Review - 1999 Jeep Wrangler
  By Jpfrk - April 4 - 2:00 am

  I have enjoyed this vehicle more than any of the other SWB Jeeps that I have owned. I just wish they had more leg room and better seats!

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  Old reliable with a twist - and a rattle - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By Phoenix916 - April 4 - 2:00 am

  Going from the 2000 Cherokee Sport to Liberty I got what I expected - quality off road performance, poor gas mileage, decent cargo space and moderate comfort. The differences between the models are huge. But for the price, I wish I could get a rattle free ride with all my bolts tightened. Plastic facia covering bottom of glove box has almost fallen off and above drivers head a loss bolt rolls around. Cruise control didnt work from the get go but Jeep fixed it with no problem. I have adapted to window control location. Friends have competing vehicles. They are fine for town but I wouldnt rely on them for moderate or greater off roading.

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  Still at the trailhead for the Trailhawk - 2017 Jeep Cherokee
  By Joe Sidlauskas - March 31 - 10:26 am

  Too early to tell with just 347 miles. So far its great. The 4 cyl tigershark is fine.

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  Muffler Gone Bad - 2008 Jeep Wrangler
  By TamiW - March 31 - 8:30 am

  Purchased 08 Wrangler 2 weeks ago. Own a 94 and wanted a new one for once. Absolute blast to drive. Very disappointed with the muffler. Two weeks old and 500 miles later its a rusted mess and Chrysler wont do anything about it. Do they actually want me to drive around and advertise for them? Why would I want to purchase another one? What are my options? Why should I have to replace the muffler and will I have to every two weeks I own it?

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  Glad I leased it - 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By tf18722x - March 31 - 8:23 am

  Owned the car for 8 months and 3500 miles. The 8 speed transmission with the PentaStar V6 is terrible and the other Edmunds negative reviews on that transmission are 100% accurate. Upshifting between gears 1-3 is poor, and it slams into 1st gear at the downshift. Have been to the dealer many times, the software updates to transmission only last for a few days before it goes back to shifting badly.

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  Pretty solid, Good bang for your buck. - 2009 Jeep Patriot
  By Luganathan - March 30 - 12:46 am

  I did a lot of research before making my purchase, my previous vehicle was a subaru forester which gave me all kinds of problems. The Patriot is an upgrade from my forester. Much more comfortable, similar engine speed and highway performance. Love the sound and sunroof options. Nice getting a free year of sirus radio. This vehicle brand new cost me $4k less than the new forester I was looking at and the Patriot has more options. Love the real 4x4 as opposed to awd all the time. Also, in my day I have drivin foresters, crvs, rav-4s and Honda element, all competitors and 4 cyl engines. I can tell you the Patriot has just as much get up as the others with a much better 4x4 system.

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  Its a Jeep Thing - 2006 Jeep Wrangler
  By Doug - March 29 - 8:13 am

  This is my first new Jeep. I owned 2 used ones previously. I love it. We needed a new vehicle and I held out for the Jeep. Very happy I did. I like its build quality and simplicity. Just got around to installing the soft top and am wondering why I waited so long! Much better than the older ones, at least to me. Sunridre feature is cool. I am 51 and this is my "toy". My wife and I plan to get out into the Jersey Pine Barrens (once my daughter gets her license and we have the time.) Just wish I had the manual transmission, but the auto is ok.

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  TIRES - 2007 Jeep Commander
  By CASEY - March 27 - 3:13 pm

  I bought the SUV in June 08 and I havent had any problems with the vehicle yet. The gas mileage is horrible but the car drives wonderful. I ran over a large screw driver this weekend and I drove 15 miles with it in my tire because I couldnt pull it out. The guy at Tires Plus had a very hard time pulling the screw driver out of the tire. It took him about 15 minutes to get it out. When he finally got it out of the tire, it didnt need to be replace. He put the tire in the solution and there was no damage. Wow!!! I hope I have good luck with the rest of the car like I did with the tires. Also I wish the 3rd row could have a been more comfortable.