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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  Look elsewhere - 2011 Jeep Compass
  By J - July 18 - 1:55 am

  I had my compass not even 2 weeks after I bought it before I had transmission issues. Every time I tried going on a road trip and it went past an hr of driving, the transmission light would come on, the rpms rose and the speed decreased.... It has been in the shop 9x over the last 7 months and between the dealer and Chrysler I cant seem to get them to realize the importance of having a car that you are paying on (ins and car payment). It has been at a dealership waiting for Chrysler to give the go ahead for a new transmission for 3 weeks now... A nightmare! If they hadnt guaranteed me a manufacturer warranty on the transmission I would be responsible. But the car is under the 100,000 mile warranty mark. Problem!?! The car and the fact that I was sold a Canadian car without my knowledge and that is the loophole that is screwing me. Do yourself a favor, dont think twice about a compass and make sure it wasnt brought over the border!!!

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  You cant kill it!!!! - 1995 Jeep Wrangler
  By E Jeep man - July 17 - 3:46 pm

  I am 17 and before my jeep I had a 1990 Ford Ranger that CONSTANTLY needed fixing, but wen it finally blew up i was rewarded with a jeep. This thing is so reliable, durable, and fun. It has over 170,000 miles on it, and had 160,000+ when we bought it. The previous owner worked at a boyscout camp and used this Jeep to navigate the incredibly rough roads every day. However this ol Jeep remains tough, and great for offroading. It aint a power house with the 4 cyl. so not great for highway, and is really bumpy and noisy, but hey, its a Jeep. I only had to replace the starter because I took it mudding and got some water in the engine, haha

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  MY JEEP MADE MOTION SICK!!! - 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By JD - July 17 - 12:43 am

  I purchased my Jeep 2015 Grand Cherokee Laredo last September 2015, and I was very happy about it cause I was purchasing an American made vehicle. It was my first jeep. After driving for one day, I went back to the dealership service department to find out what that little motor sounding noise was under the hood. Dont you know that no one there could tell me what it was? This sound comes and goes and I was stuck living with it thinking it was just something normal about it. Then after driving for a week or two, I felt as thought I was driving a manual car. When slowing down and coming to a stop, the transmission would shift kind of weird. As it was shifting down and I could feel that jerky motion it in my head and it was making me motion sick. This went on for a while and I wasnt sure what to do. So I took it to service where it was determined that my car needed a "software update". But after getting my car back, it was back to the same old thing. So I wrote to jeep about the problem and was told to take it back to service. So I did just that and I had two service people drive with me while I drove my car. The first person tried to blame the problem on the road surface. But then the second person, who told me that he too experienced motion sickness during his life and he drove with me and I told him about the transmission and how it was kind of jerky when I slow and brake to a stop. He told me that Jeep had changed their transmission to eight speed and that eventually will be going to a nine speed transmission. And these are his words, "the new transmission is more jerky". I had to agree with him. So after this, Jeep consumers office contacted me and told me that they were unable to help me because my car was okay and there was nothing to repair. What a joke I thought. I spend all this money for a lousy car that I thought was high quality when in fact it wasnt. Since I couldnt drive this car anymore, I had to trade it in for a more reliable "Japanese" car and I know Ill be happy with it. And at lease I wont have to get "software updates" for it. Im so happy with that. Jeep, youre history for me!!!

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  best pick - 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By bryan - July 15 - 11:43 pm

  No problems, this is a great vehicle if you like to ride in style and know that you will be able to "get there" no matter what the conditions are.

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  Awesome SUV - 2016 Jeep Cherokee
  By Tony D. - July 15 - 4:16 pm

  This was my first jeep purchase and i am very pleased with my 2016 Cherokee Trailhawk. I got a great deal and was quite suprised on the comfort and the overall performance. The first weekend I had it i went out of town and i got about 28 mpg on the highway. The scond trip was to the beach and went about 300 miles on a half of tank. I would highly recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for an SUV.

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  Weird check engine light situations - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Kai - July 15 - 2:50 pm

  Every other week the check engine light goes on, either I have a catalytic converter issue or it is just a short circuit. A lot of dangerous blind spots. I would fire the guys who designed the car, it looks like cheap plastic stuff. Nice to drive, even though wind noise unbearable when going over 60 mph.

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  I Love Jeeps!!!!!!! - 1997 Jeep Wrangler
  By VEP - July 15 - 2:00 am

  This is my fourth jeep. I cant say aything more positive about them. The outdoor reputation..the jeep lives up to it. I have put 30,000 over the past year and have not had any major problems. I take it on the highway every week and it has started and run well everyday this winter. Currently has 115,000 miles. Clutch needed to be replaced when I bought it but it has held up for the last 30,000 miles, again, I think the car was abused before I got it on e-bay. No leaks of any type. Also it handles much better than you would think. I would and will buy again.

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  FENG SHUI - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Is It Bootch? - July 15 - 2:00 am

  I believe its important to endure in a vehicle that makes you feel at home and suits your taste. If more people truly enjoyed their interiors they wouldnt be in such a mad rush to get the #&!! out of it. Instead they would enjoy their ride better and take it easier on the roads.

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  WILLING TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX - 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By PORSCHE1 - July 15 - 2:00 am

  I CHOSE THIS VEHICLES PRIMARILY ON ITS GOOD LOOK AND SIMPLE DRIVETRAIN. ON ROAD DYNAMICS SUFFERED IMENSELY WITH SIMPLE DRIVETRAIN AND SUSPENSION. OIL CHANGE HAS BEEN THE ONLY MAINTENANCE WITH OVER 46K+ MILES AND COUNTING...OH YES THERE WAS A SENSOR REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY,AND DRIVER SIDE MIRROR REPLACEMENT ON THE NORTH SIDE OF WARRANTY, THANKS TO "CSI" CONCERNED REPAIRED COMPLIMENTARY...OTHERWISE LOVE MY TRUCK.

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  Dont even bother looking! - 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Alice G. - July 15 - 2:00 am

  Lets see, where do I begin. My 02 Laredo has the 6-cylinder engine, which fails to measure up to most other v-6s in its class. Ever since the day after I purchased this vehicle, there has been a pronounced brake shudder when I brake (which has been fixed twice), and the transmission likes to make a clunk noise when I stop at a stoplight. This is my second Jeep, and compared to my old 95 Laredo, this one sucks! After this year I will sell it for the measly trade-in value that its worth and buy a Toyota.