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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  Timeless - 2004 Jeep Wrangler
  By exoticjeep - September 8 - 10:00 am

  Holds its Value with minimum depriciation! Everyone loves to ride in it. It handles so bad with 2 straight axles on springs with fat balloon tires its actualy fun to drive!

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  YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF, SO GET ONE - 2004 Jeep Wrangler
  By BLAXOUT - September 8 - 10:00 am

  WELL LETS START BY SAYING THAT JEEP DELIVERED EVERYTHING IT PROMISED AND THEN SOME WITH THE RUBICON. ITS NICE TO KNOW THAT YOU HAVE AN OVERBUILT MACHINE READY TO TAKE ON A VARIETY OF ON-ROAD AND OFF-ROAD CONDITIONS. JEEP ALSO HAS A TON OF AFTERMARKET SUPPORT SO INCREASING THE CARGO PROBLEM VIA A HITCH CARGO BOX OR ROOF RACK WILL HUSH UP MY LOVELY WIFE WHO HATES IT. OVERALL I CANT BELIEVE THAT THEY BUILT THIS CUSTOM FAB MACHINE,SOMEONE OVER AT JEEP FINALLY GOT THE LAWYERS AND ACCOUNTANTS TO TAKE THE HANDCUFFS OFF THE ENGINEERS HOPEFULLY OTHER COMPANYS WILL FOLLOW SUIT...BUT IT WONT BE A JEEP BUY THE ICON YOU WONT BE SORRY.

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  Hooked! - 2004 Jeep Wrangler
  By alicat379 - September 8 - 10:00 am

  I have had my wrangler for 5 years,never had any problem whatsoever! Its fun to drive,great to put the top down and just go! We took it from Ohio to Tennessee,had a great time in the mountains,it goes anywhere.This jeep does much better than my hubbys ford truck in mud or snow,both 4wd. Im hooked!

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  jeep - 2004 Jeep Wrangler
  By mime - September 8 - 10:00 am

  I have found that my Jeep Wrangler is a go anywhere I want to go Vehicle. IN the eight years that I have owned my Jeep It has done everything I wanted it to do. I have Rechievecd three quarter ton exten cab pick -ups from the bottom of 4x4 trails to winching other jeeps off logs and out of seven foot deep ditches. I find it quite manuverable with plenty of power to spare.

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  Love my Liberty - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By tooswt - September 8 - 10:00 am

  Bought my Liberty in Feb. 2003. Drove it off the lot right into a blizzard with no exaggeration. It handled like it was on dry road without using the 4wd. Had to use the 4wd once while in Michigan. Shift on the fly, smooth as could be. As fun to drive as a sports car and if I have to do a U turn has a short tight turning ratio.Love it so much I gave it a name...Abraham

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  Its a Jeep Thing - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By Ronni - September 8 - 10:00 am

  As soon as I test drove the Liberty, I knew it was the vehicle for me. I have always owned a Caravan and was ready for something smaller. Let my KIDS drive the vans now. I immediately bought a bike carrier for my Jeep that carries 4 bikes and take my older granddaughters biking with me often.

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  4th Jeep - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By Chuck &Terri - September 8 - 10:00 am

  The Liberty handles well in city traffic, and is competent in the sand dunes and mud holes. The 04 Liberty does preform better than our Cherokees. We cant wait to try it in the snow and ice. The 2nd day we had the Liberty I tried to stick it in the mud, all I got stuck with was dirty jeep.

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  Fun To Drive - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Subsite - September 8 - 10:00 am

  I hvae founf this to be the best SUV I have ever owned my wife was in a major accuident in feb of this year hitting a telphone pole at 35mph I thought the jeep was a total lose. but after the dealer ship look it over it was found that it look a lot worse then it was. My next S.U.V will be another jeep this time with 4 wheel drive and a V8

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  Great Vheicle - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By ajulie - September 8 - 10:00 am

  4wd capable with a great ride. Quality has been perfect and I love it.

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  Do not like the vehicle - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By randsee - September 8 - 10:00 am

  Quadratrack drive performs poorly in snow. It is really not a 4X4 but a 4X2