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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  2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo - 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By jgkeller - January 3 - 2:00 am

  Really only one problem with this vehicle. Brakes...twice back into shop for adjustment. All other aspects seem very good...no other problems whatsoever.

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  Comfortable on road, not suited for extreme off-roading! - 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By gavin10 - January 2 - 1:13 pm

  I reside in Dubai, UAE and purchased this vehicle after reading reviews and watching several adverts about how the car performs well off-road. The truth - it cannot do well on major sand dunes. Around 10+ of these have had damaged radiator/condenser units after being driven offroad because of sudden jumps. Even the Overland model has had bad luck here. Thru insurance i got my radiator replaced, but weeks later overheating problems occured for which Jeep/Chrysler could not figure out why - so they changed the whole engine under warranty! Still didnt fix the issue! Later found that the coolant compartment was leaking! Extremely poor reliability of this vehicle. Jeep UAE admits it shamelessly.

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  Hi-N-Low desert runner - 2001 Jeep Cherokee
  By steve citron - January 1 - 3:57 am

  While I love my car, mine does not have cruise control. Since I live so far away from a metropolitan area, I need to travel a good distance to shop, and to get other services like medical, dental, cleaners, and food. It sometimes is hard to keep my speed down, as it wants to travel at speed, and I do not always want to do that. The speed limit out here in the desert is 65, but sometimes I find the speed creeping up to over 75!! So, I guess you must be vigilant to watch your speed out in the highways. I have had my Jeep for 13 years, and have over 120,000 miles, not ONE major repair, and I am able to do simple service easily like oil change, filters, air and transmission filters, even spark plugs. so my car has been absolutely trouble free. I am on my 3rd set of tires, and just replaced them last summer at over 48,000 miles! My three dogs love riding in it too! I also own a 2006 Jeep Wrangler, and I wish it were as trouble free.

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  my thoughts - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By jennszu - December 31 - 5:10 am

  I love my Liberty. We bought it when it first came out, and now there is one on every corner! Original tires were awful, but new tires make all the difference. You cant complain about the bumpy ride since it is, after all, a Jeep. In the winter it handles like a dream. When the streets are impossible for cars to drive down, I can easily get around. The part time 4WD is great to have in my area. I just love this thing! MPG needs improvement though.

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  Never Again - 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By neva - December 31 - 3:56 am

  This JGCL was my first ever American car and i assure you all it will be my last. My first inspection a rear shock was bad. A year into my lease brakes and a fuel sensor went. 18 months into my lease transmission slipped. After four visits to the dealer and being rebuilt twice its still giving me problems. Do not buy this car. Thank God I leased it!

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  Overland Leather Dash Warped and Blistered - 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By jabaseball - December 30 - 8:51 am

  I bought this car in January of 2012 and by November of that year notice some minor bubbles in leather dash. By mid summer of 2013 it was very noticeable and by early spring of 2014 it was ridiculous. Warps, bubbles, waves in the leather and the plastic inserts. I drive a lot so I was beyond 36K miles by the time I complained though the car has only been in service 26 months or so and mileage has nothing to do with the dashboard disaster. So far the dealer will only respond that it is out of warranty. Other than the dashboard and some minor complaints about paint quality on the non-metallic body parts, the vehicle is excellent.

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  98JeepCherokee Lmt - Strong & Reliable - 1998 Jeep Cherokee
  By 98JeepCherkLmt - December 29 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle for almost 6 years. I have not had one problem with it. It is strong and reliable. Suprisingly good handling. Jeeps are great vehicles that are fun to drive in every condition (except windy conditions). This truck combines the rough and rugged with a taste of luxury with its leather seats and steering wheel and 10 cd disc changer. I give it two thumbs up.

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  I adore my jeep. I want to marry it. - 1998 Jeep Cherokee
  By MegCram - December 29 - 10:00 am

  I really love this car. It was my dads until two years ago when he gave it to me for my sixteenth birthday. Its fun to drive -lots of power, and its never had to go into the shop for anything major. In almost 3 years Ive put about 70,000 miles on it because I travel a ways to school, but the only problem is that sometimes- in very cold weather- it doesnt want to start immediately...and thats not too much of an inconvienence. And the gas milage isnt terrible for an SUV-I get about 23 mpg. It still runs great and I could drive it forever. I love my jeep, I really do.

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  Red Jeep - 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By DP - December 29 - 10:00 am

  After purchasing my Jeep, I had the vehicled into the dealer shop three times during the warranty period because of a leaky transmission. It continued to leak after the warranty ran out. The leak was small, but kept a mess on my garage floor. I maintained the fluid level. At about 85,000 the transmission failed. The vehicle has been back to the transmission shop 5 times because of leaks. It continues to leak.

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  tahoe bound - 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By daroost - December 29 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Grand Cherokee, and I love it just as much as the first one. Its a beautiful car that rides very smooth, and has a very luxurious feel to it. My transmission went out on my 95 at 85,000 and I already took my new one in for a transmission recall at 500 miles. The trans is the only complaint I have with Jeep. Would buy another one for sure.