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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  Trailhawk V-6 - 2014 Jeep Cherokee
  By johnd - October 5 - 8:52 am

  Review of the V6 version, drop-down box does not include this version!! I could not be more pleased with this vehicle. It replaces a Wrangler and although it cant go everywhere the W does it is a great compromise. One of our problems with the Wrangler is at our age we just arent physically able to endure the beating one takes when driving it even on the easiest of trails. After several trips to the CA desert I find the Trailhawk to be capable and very comfortable off-road. With clearance being the only limitation so far. This vehicle gives up some off-road performance while providing huge improvements in comfort, mileage, performance, & technology.

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  Great Buy - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Airborne - October 5 - 3:50 am

  This vehicle is perfect for my wife and I and are dog. The cargo space is more than enough. The drive is smooth and fun. And the gas mileage is great for a 4.0L. This Jeep has fit its purpose in our everyday life. We not only use it in the city but also for camping which is so much fun with this particular vehicle. We love it.

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  doomed from day one - 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By lvmcgee - October 4 - 12:04 pm

  I picked up my new jeep on july 12 and on the way home the screen for the u connect went out and it was 90 degrees so no ac , no radio, nothing. I should have known better than to think that a Chrysler product was going to be a good move from my Chevrolet which never gave me a minutes trouble. this means that in the winter if this goes out you have no heat either and no manual way to defrost . very disappointed at my decision . and the carpet is the cheapest thing I have ever seen, and you cant clean it. it is at the dealer for the second time in three days now for the same thing. Big mistake,they didnt test these things at all . 47 thousand dollars worth of trouble

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  This is one to keep - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Shirisha - October 3 - 2:40 pm

  Picked up my Jeep few months back, and we love it; unmatched off road abilities plus all the luxury. There is only one and its JEEP.

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  For $45 buy a luxury SUV - Buyer Beware! - 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By KLH - October 3 - 2:40 am

  OK, I went to get my lease 08 Jeep and have regretted ditching my BMW every since. Soon after I picked up my overland the sealant on the quarter glass window started melting, took numerous calls to Leith Headquarters and Chrysler headquarters until they finally agreed to fix my Jeep. On top of that the electronic items in the car fail at any given time - including auto headlights!!! Still after all this time it malfunctions at any given time, stalls on the road while driving, speakers stop working, hard drive crashes and stalls, wipes out info stored in it, the list is endless as to what malfunctions on this Jeep!

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  Can I get a woot woot? - 2005 Jeep Wrangler
  By Eggs - October 2 - 8:36 pm

  I love this Jeep! Ok, so this is the coolest ride. It is, however, not that great on gas. However, I look forward to getting into it every day and driving to work or out to do errands. The extra cargo space in the back is great for groceries and such - bigger than one would think. Overall, really, really happy with this rig.

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  Very Nice - 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Betty H - October 2 - 2:43 pm

  Bought it last week and very happy. Took it from Florida to Virginia and had ample passing power on the highway and performed flawlessly in the Mountains. Seats are very supportive and comfortable. Its hard to believe this is a body-on frame SUV telling by the ride.

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  I hate this car! - 2014 Jeep Cherokee
  By jenjane11 - October 2 - 1:14 pm

  I was so excited to get a new Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. I have been a Jeep owner for the past 14 years. I dislike the hard shifting in the lower gears. It has been in the dealer 3 times now with 4000 miles. The first time was due to a clunking noise when shifting - I was told there was nothing wrong. 2nd time for an oil leak. Now it has been in the garage for 2 days due to a transmission fluid leak. It was barely drivable- stuttering at every accererlation in low gears. Ridiculous!

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  95 Jeep Cherokee owner review - 1995 Jeep Cherokee
  By Jeff B. - October 2 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned it for a little over a year and love it.

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  Poor Quality & Customer Service - 2001 Jeep Cherokee
  By Tom D. - October 2 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Jeep Cherokee primarily due to the interior and exterior styling and positive reviews on the vehicle. Unfortunately, ongoing mechanical problems have been a nightmare. I will never purchase a Chrysler product again, as the poor quality of the vehicle and the horrible customer service on behalf of Golling Chrysler have proven that quality and customer satisfaction is not important to Chrysler.