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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  Yellow wont die - 2001 Jeep Cherokee
  By Steph D - November 9 - 11:10 am

  2Dr/4WD Cherokee, commutes 200km daily and goes trail riding on weekends. Does a long paper route once a week and takes three dogs out and about. 4.0L engine just keeps on ticking and she just turned 310,500km on odo, I figure shes good till 500,000km.

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  Smooth SUV - 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Pat - November 9 - 10:00 am

  Very quiet and smooth on the road. Nice tight turning radius. Mileage about what expected - hitting EPA estimates. Premium highway cruiser. Good looking interior. Comfortable seats. Antenna catches on my garage door and is too high. Low beam headlights are terrible - had them checked but they only project ~ 30yds. They are recessed too far and the hood cuts them off.

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  Love my Jeep - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By mrgee355 - November 8 - 6:10 am

  I love the style of my jeep liberty. i use to have road noise but cured that with less aggressive tires, when i bought it it had new tires but had aggressive thread on the tires i purchased from firestome leamans pathmakers tires and noise went away and still rough enough for off roading,i am 6 4 lots head room which is what i love about it and plenty of leg room but not side to side i do feel a little cramped sometimes in the seats and the center counsel and door just use to a explorer i guess where i had more side to side room, wish there where lights to shine on the floor and glove box. i have 76,000 miles on this jeep bought with 59,000 lost a power steering pump thats it.

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  Super Happy with the Patriot! - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By VjaneC - November 8 - 4:50 am

  The Jeep Patriot is a GREAT vehicle! I am a mom of a 6 year old, and it gives us plenty of space for friends, sport equipment, etc. Also, it handles beautifully in the Michigan winter (and this year we had some crazy high snow!) I would recommend this vehicle to anyone. Even my husband enjoys driving it, and says its a nice, smooth ride.

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  She is what she is... - 2007 Jeep Patriot
  By JimCno - November 7 - 9:13 pm

  I was looking for a car that I could strap a canoe to the top and go down some God awful roads to get to some rivers to fish. At the same time it needed to have a nice ride as we would be using it for long trips. The Patriot fits that bill perfectly! Ive had her down back roads, dirt roads, rock roads and off road. Shes got the ground clearance to handle all of them. She handles well on highways and back roads. Shes got ample cargo space. She doesnt have the greatest power or gas mileage but I have the automatic CVT. Im sure the manual transmission would improve both. It would be hard to beat her versatility. AND shes made in the good old USA!

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  I Love This Truck - 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By taurean468 - November 6 - 7:16 am

  I bought this truck in May at 73,000 and now it has 80,000 6 months later. I have not had any problems with it. The fuel economy on my 4.7 V8 is 13.5 - 14 city and 18 - 22 highway. There are a lot of V6s that do not get that.

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  Love My Jeep.....Looking for another - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By jeeplover8 - November 4 - 6:14 pm

  I purchased my 2000 Grand Cherokee Laredo in 2007 from an auction, it had 95000 miles on it, I would still be driving my jeep today, but someone hit it when it was parked, and totaled, it had 163000+ miles. I didnt experience any engine problems,any transmissions problems, I performed a tune-up when i purchased it and regular maintenace every 3000 miles..It is true what they say, be good to your Jeep and it will be good to you!!

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  Great Car - Great Value - 2008 Jeep Compass
  By rebe - November 4 - 2:26 pm

  I Love driving my Red Jeep Compass. I am an over 40 woman and drive to and from work. I like simplicity. Leather seats are not for me especially in Florida. I love the fabric upholstery because it is cool and supportive. Since I am short, I love that I can raise the drivers seat and I am not sitting in a hole. The power is plenty and I can easily pass other cars when needed. Driving this car is fun and easy and there are no blind spots to worry about.

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  Snow - 2007 Jeep Patriot
  By j-tripp - November 4 - 11:00 am

  I went form all cars to the Partiot 4WD, so the switch was major for me. (traded in an Eclipse) Took no time to get use to driving someting bigger. The ride is very nice, handles bumpy raods with ease. Almost feels car like. Everything is easy to reach even if your short, and I am 52". I dont feel like I am sitting on the wheel. I can still reach everything without pulling forward. The room in the back seat is awesome! My brother in law is 6 he said it is very comfortable and easy to get in and out of. I decided on the Partoit after shopping for a car. I am very glad I went this route. The safty features also swayed me to it. Its nice having my own 4 wheel drive.

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  best suv - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By girly - November 4 - 2:00 am

  this is my second grand cherokee. very reliable, my previous jeep had 189,000 miles on it and is still going. i love this suv and would not consider anything other than a jeep!!