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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  Rubicon is good - 2003 Jeep Wrangler
  By Silverdawg - February 2 - 10:00 am

  After 12,500 miles with the Rubicon I am still amazed with where it will go and how much fun it is to drive. The Jeep Wrangler is the most fun vehicle to drive built today. The Rubicon Package makes it the most capable off highway vehicle on any dealerÂ’s showroom floor. If you dont believe me just give it a try. Be careful though, you will get hooked.

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  Best SUV out there - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Gnorm - January 31 - 3:00 pm

  Fantastic SUV. I have tried many other SUVs and this one takes the take. With a Hemi Engine you can out accelerate ANY SUV and most cars. Smooth drive, nice interior, tons of options, fantastic quality. I recommed this to anyone looking for midsized SUVs. Unparalleled offroad ability and top of the line safety. Like all my friends said "All you need to know how to do is accelerate, brake, and hold the wheel"

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  This thing is built like a tank - 1997 Jeep Wrangler
  By Ryan - January 31 - 2:00 pm

  Well I own a 97 TJ sport with the 4.0L I6 (aka bulletproof) with a 5-speed manual transmission. My Jeep just rolled over to 206,000 and the only thing I need to replace is the muffler. Engine starts as good as an 06 with 500 miles, I reccomend a deep cycle marine battery. Very powerful on the low end. Accelerates quickly. Unbelievably fun to drive. Will literally go anywhere.. I can blow FJ Cruisers away offroad.

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  Satisfaction - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By E. R. Jackson,jr - January 29 - 10:06 am

  This is 3rd Jeep Grand Cherokee. Since they went to rack and pinion steering and softened the ride, my wife really likes it, and so do I. Should have kept the information readout on the overhead and not in the instrument cluster. There was more information on the 2003 model.

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  Great Investment! - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By cdubya87 - January 27 - 7:06 pm

  Purchased this car used in 1999 - had about 127,000 miles on it. Ive got 175,000 now and Im making the first major repair. Replaced the radiator last year, it was cheap and easy - this year it needs a new motor. Outside of that, Im a storm chaser and have had this poor Jeep at 100+mph on dirt back roads in heavy rains and hail and it is the most amazing vehicle Ive ever owned. I also have family through the state and have traveled frequently - great gas mileage, both city and highway and the comfort of this car is amazing. Its flexibility is great too - having added a laptop and some other components for my storm chasing. Just a great great car and Ill buy another and another!

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  Love my Jeep - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By mitsuni - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Love to drive, comfortable and reliable

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  No problem with Jeeps - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By smartjeeplady - January 27 - 8:16 am

  The first Jeep I had was a 1995 year model had it for 7 years and the only thing that went out on it was the air conditioning. Traded it for a Chrysler Pacifica. Loved the car but 6 months later a 17 year old ran a stop sign and totaled it. That is when I bought the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee and love it as much as the first one. I was taught to keep up maintenance on cars by my Dads example. I always go to our local Jeep dealer for maintenance. But I will say we bought the extended warranty because of the heavy use of the air conditioning system in Texas. My jeep is not 4WD but it performs well because of the 8 cylinder engine. We have had it for almost three years and still like it.

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  Best Bang for the Buck - 2011 Jeep Patriot
  By 1992viper - January 26 - 9:26 am

  I traded an 06 Dakota 4X4 for the Patriot base model 4X4 CVT to gain gas mileage at a bargain price. I was leery at first of the CVT but find that it is very satisfying (can shift manually as well). The engine is the 2.4L and I have achieved over 32 mpg driving around 67 mph on the hiway. The full sticker was $23,575 including heated seats and mirrors, remote start, Sirius, and all the rest. It says Latitude on the tailgate but it is not the Latitude X. Very functional, fun to drive, good Jeep looks, comfortable, quiet, roomy for its compact size-just a great value! I honestly cant say anything bad about it. Only owned it a month but have over 5000 miles. Very enjoyable miles.

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  A Move Up As Far As I AM Concerned - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By GHW - January 25 - 9:00 pm

  I guess the performance is in the mind of the user. I have owned a Cherokee Sport, a Grand Cherokee Laredo and a Liberty. For value per dollar spent, Ill take the Patriot hands down. I have the 4WD with the CVT and I dont experience the "Performance-robbing" attributes that are described by the reviewer. If jumping on it to merge is your goal, you may want to think about souping up a Neon or Eclipse. I didnt buy any of my Jeeps for their ability to go 0 - 60, thats absurd. I drive them because they are sound and safe vehicles. The ride in my Patriot is smooth as silk and surprisingly quiet. I dont have any problems getting to 70 mph or maintaining it.

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  I love my first jeep - 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By contino - January 25 - 7:52 pm

  This suv is great, its tough but gentle, quite,and elegant, its the sharpest vehicle out there for the money. At 15000 thousand miles, only one problem with it, a simple wheel alignment when first purchased.The v6 is a solid power plant, after 7000 thousand miles Ive seen the gas mileage at 25 highway and 16 to 18 city, not bad for a vehicle with a 4 wheel drive system and 5 thousand pounds of steel. Sure the engine is not the fastest, but its moves the Jeep with respect, I could live with that at the pump. Cant wait for snow again...