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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  Balanced Choice - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By WSF - May 25 - 2:00 am

  Given the SUV foremat, performance, fun to drive, and economy levels are much higher than would be expected or than experienced with my friends competing vehicles. First year, but with about 14000 miles of HARD driving, not a single reliability/quality/assembly issue. Replaced a 1993 Grand Cherokee with 170000 miles and similar satisfaction level for its time. An improvement in every respect.

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  Would NOT Consider any other SUV BUT.... - 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By ALLRealtySolution - May 24 - 8:50 pm

  If it is a reliable, safe SUV you are looking for, then Cherokee should be your choice. We have owned jeeps since 91 and have had on since. We have a 97 GCL and LOVE IT! The clock JUST turned over 100K... We figure it should last for OVER 300K! So we may have it until 2040 something. lol VERY RELIABLE... VERY SAFE... AND FUN TO 4X4!!

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  my race truck - 2001 Jeep Cherokee
  By Alex from NH - May 24 - 9:23 am

  This truck is possibly the greatest vehicle of all time. Its fast (took off the restrictor plate and got it doing 125 mph). Its small and handles beautifully if your idea of beauty is a roll over waiting to happen at every turn, mine is. The small size does not bother me because Im not a big guy but people in the backseat complain, they know where the door is. My Jeep has around 187,000 miles. And I drive this thing hard from offroading to the occasional street race. Guys with there little rice burner toyotas laugh at the start then I hit them with the incredible torque! The Jeep Cherokee should have been in diehard because it is unstoppable. Except for the a/c compressor it died at 100k miles

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  Great Vehicle - 1997 Jeep Wrangler
  By dw - May 24 - 7:26 am

  I think the Sahara is great. Took a few times driving to get used to it and appreciate it. The inline 6 has plenty of power. Hard top is great for the winter, soft top fun in the summer, especially when down. Handles good, but you do have to be cautious in bad conditions, like any vehicle. Great in the snow. No mechanical problems.

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  second sahara - 2002 Jeep Wrangler
  By wth51 - May 22 - 2:00 am

  We had a 99 Sahara and loved it but the gas mileage was lousy so we traded for a 2001 Honda CRV. Honda was ok but not as fun as the Wrangler so we traded the CRV for an Accord and bought a 02 Sahara. The Honda works and the Jeep plays. Should have kept the 99 but we saw the error of our ways and purchased another Wrangler. Expensive mistake.

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  Excellent Value, Safe, and Reliable - 2009 Jeep Patriot
  By Frank - May 22 - 2:00 am

  GREAT buy. Very safe, great MPG (28 Hwy with the stick), good looking, very inexpensive. Have had for 3 years, 35K miles, absolutely no issues. Even the tires are still in great shape!

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  Great for the price! - 2008 Jeep Liberty
  By tim - May 22 - 2:00 am

  I recently decided to purchase a new vehicle since my dodge dakota p/u was almost at 100,000 miles and was in need of new tires. I figured that i could just aplly the new tire cost into the new higher monthly payment. So i began looking at all of the suvs that were out there. I did research the jeep liberty via consumer reports but it got very low scores. so i completely nixed it from my list of possibilities. however after looking at all of the other suvs on the many lots i visited, i ended up at a jeep dealership. long story short..after viewing the libertys design and options along with a pleasant test drive, i feel in love. the gas mileage is not the best, but also not bad.

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  First time Jeep owner - 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By baycouple929 - May 22 - 2:00 am

  I am active duty military and wanted to purchase a vehicle for my wife. I was set to buy a new GMC Terrain and then a new Ford Explorer. I even heard the AUDI Q5 was nice. I am completely happy that I saw the commercials and read the reviews about the new 2011 Jeep grand Cherokee. What an amazing vehicle. I purchased the overland 4x4 v8 hemi engine. This new Jeep is so smooth to drive and gets great gas mileage for a v8 (21 hwy) the quality and workmanship is Superior to any luxury SUV on the market. Try to even compare a porshe Cayenne s and you would pay so much more for the same features. This Jeep is worth every Penny and much much more. My wife is so happy.

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  HIGHLY recommended!!! - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By Warren - May 21 - 11:23 pm

  A pleasure to own and drive. Appears well-built, have experienced no faults or issues and no minor irritations. I really like the CVT transmission but only with the autostick (manual override) which allows you to use the engine as a downhill brake and provides for smoother engine operation on a long uphill ride (plus a fun component if you are getting bored). Everything being considered, I cant think of a better vehicle.

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  Jeep Patriot Sport 4x4 manual transmission - 2017 Jeep Patriot
  By R.L.Faverty - May 20 - 10:13 am

  Our family has owned and driven jeeps since 1970 starting with the Grand Wagoneer, we love them. All have had a complete low range gearing. My previous jeep was a Cherokee bought in 1984. As I consulted to the minerals exploration industry and mining it got heavy use and the low range came in handy as it did in the previous models. I have drive manual vehicles since 1964 and was dismayed with the Jeep choices. I wanted a full Jeep transmission like the Cherokee had, but my choice there was a glitzy model or a Wrangler. At my age the Patriot was the best fit and all I could get was 4x4 Sport model as I like crank windows and no central lock, The 4x4 drive lack a true low range, but when you lock the four wheel in it seems to drop to a lower range as describe by the technicians at the Jeep dealer. The anti sway feature is remarkable on muddy wash board roads and where hydroplaning is occurring, I live in western Colorado and the afore mentioned features combined with the 2.4L engine is remarkable. Also, I bought the Patriot for its plane jeep look. I like to scramble old mining roads etc and the glitzy just would not fit as I would not want to scratch and dent such a fancy vehicle. I am a large, very large man, and this vehicle is roomy front and rear for me. On the freeway gas mileage is about 30-31mpg using cruise control at 65mph. Lots of power to spare and shifting is smooth and easy, and the stick is well positioned.