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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  Great 1st car - 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By ro88i3 - May 11 - 3:55 pm

  I saved up and bought this jeep with 168,000. It had a major transmission leak and oil leak but with some seals and elbow grease they were fixed. The heated seats and rear wiper are still not working. The sunroof doesnt work but the engine and 4wd system works amazing. I can go down muddy roads while sitting in the comfortable leather seats and listen to the radio. It had 3!!! blown speakers when i bought it. I love the jeep and ill keep it forever! The only thing that I dont like about it is the MPG 15 at best. WOW!

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  SUV that gets 28mpg - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By Janet - May 10 - 9:10 am

  This is a great SUV, the CRD gets an average of 24 in town and out and has gotten 28 on a trip.

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  Great Value - 2012 Jeep Compass
  By craig65 - May 10 - 3:30 am

  Had Liberty,hated it!!Thie actually has more interior room than Liberty, nicer interior an much better gas mileage!

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  Jeep Rocks! - 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Spitfire - May 9 - 10:00 am

  This is the 3rd Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited Ive purchased. The only reason Ive bought three is that I like to update the Jeep every so often. I had a 1993, 1998, and now a 2001. Before I bought my 1st & 2nd Jeep, I test-drove pretty much every SUV available. By far, the Jeeps reliability and comfort are the main reasons why I will continue to update my Jeep with another Jeep. My other car is a BMW and if I could only have one, it would be the Jeep Gr Ch LTD. It has all the options I wanted and the price was right. Its a great SUV.

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  FUN TO DRIVE - 2003 Jeep Wrangler
  By Mr. FAT BOY - May 9 - 10:00 am

  You dont purchase a vehicle like this because you think its going to ride like a car, so dont compare it to a car. The (5) Speed Manual Transmission shifts like silk with no effort and the steering is highly responsive. This Jeep Wrangler looks great in Silver and I have received numerous complements. If you want a SISSY CAR with Heated Leather Seats and a high end suspension package then thats what you need to buy. I traded in a FULLY LOADED, VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, (6) CYLINDER (5) SPEED for my Wrangler and I dont miss that car at all.

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  Boredom - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By furry s - May 9 - 10:00 am

  I have been very happy since buying my jeep liberty freedom edition. I wish that the cross bars on the roof rack came with the vehicle standard instead of an accessory. With the manual transmission, a drink in the front cup holder hits your hand on the 1st to 2nd gear shift. I dont like the auto door lock feature. These are the only things I could think of that could use attention, and it took a while to come up with them. I would definitely buy the liberty again.

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  Fun in the sun - 2002 Jeep Wrangler
  By Fireman Steve - May 8 - 10:53 pm

  For the most part, this is a fun vehicle to own. Keep in mind, however, that for some, a vehicle is a long term investment and you have to think about where you will be at 5 or even 10 years down the road of life. If you dont plan on taking many long trips, needing space for cargo, or many passengers, and if you can afford the gas, go for it. It is exceptionally fun to take the top down, go off road, and also handles great in the snow. If you have a family, take a lot of long trips, or feel the need for a smooth ride going to and from work, you may want to consider something a little bigger. I have had a Jeep Cherokee in the past which has many of the same capabilities as the wrangler.

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  Took Me A Couple Weeks to Really Love It - 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By GLO - May 8 - 10:30 am

  Traded in the 2005 Rocky Mountain Edition 4x4 JCG,which I absolutely loved. Have been waiting for 1 year for the new 2011.Purchased the 4x4 6 cyl 26X pkg. (same color Inferno Red) What took me a couple of weeks to get used to was the wider/higher size. A few blind spots & I wasnt as comfortable changing lanes. But I do love it now! The interior is 100% improvement. The media center/stereo system is fantastic. Great not having to carry all my CDs w/ ability to download to the media hard disk drive. Love the rear assist camera and flawless smooth ride. Mostly small city driving, so do not care if I have 6 or V8 , but much better pick up with the 3.6 L, 6 cyl. than the previous 6 cyl.

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  Awesome on and offroad! - 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By hemijeeperz5_7l - May 8 - 2:33 am

  This is one of a few vehicles that offer an electronic limited slip front/center/rear. Other vehicles like the H1 and the Range Rover offer this type of four wheel drive system and both of them cost over $100,000.00. I love my Grand Cherokee Limited with the 5.7L Hemi. I have changed the exhaust to a 3" Magna Flow and put an inexpensive Cold Air Intake on it. I can run a 15.68 second quarter mile time and the thing weighs 5200 lbs with me in it. That is awesome. The road grip is second to none hands down. I have been in school 210 miles from home and had to drive it home on weekends this past winter and had no issues, even with 6" of snow on the Highway.

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  The worst vehicle I have ever seen, bar none. - 2008 Jeep Liberty
  By sal42 - May 6 - 7:30 pm

  We bought it new in 2008 and it was the worse mistake my family ever made on cars, EVER. On the test drive the dashboard was literally coming out and you could see the wires and tubing under the dash. I pleaded with my father to not buy it, yet he was swayed by the exterior styling. During 3 years of horror (aka vehicle ownership), 3 of the window motors broke leaving the windows stuck in place, the plastics/materials are horrendous and the dashboard popped out twice. Besides that the seats were the most uncomfortable I have ever sat in, like sitting on concrete!!!!! The car is crampt, and the MPG figures are A LIE!!! The car barely got 10 MPG in the city, and maybe 16 or so freeway.