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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  daves review - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By david - May 15 - 8:26 pm

  very nice and quite fast

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  My 7th Wrangler - I like em a lot - 2005 Jeep Wrangler
  By mrwrangler - May 15 - 6:10 am

  Can you get a better vehicle for the money? Drives through deep snow Subarus cant. Top down in summer and 4x4 in the winter - super! I use mine to tow a small aluminum fishing boat; back it down in the lake - no problem where many other rigs get stuck. 4.0 has sweet power; 180 hp and 225lb torque early.

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  Lots of fun - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By corya - May 15 - 1:43 am

  I bought my Liberty used with under 15,000 miles on it. I have had it a year and six months. It has been an awsome reliable vehicle. It has over 40,000 miles on it and have had no problems. Handles great on and off road. Low range torque is great. Average 16 to 18 for gas mileage. In town or higway. Doesnt pull small trailers very well.

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  small problems that add up - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By J. Doni - May 14 - 5:06 pm

  Bought the jeep in 2005 for 21000 does not hold value at all it is worth less than half what I paid 4 years ago. Brakes squeak even though I got the expensive replacements. It is unstoppable in 4wd snow dont stand a chance thats a plus. Had 2 recalls fixed 1 with transmission 1 with ignition. I will not own one again even though it is semi reliable. I should have got one 3 years old and saved 10000 dollars.

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  Jeep loyalist - 2000 Jeep Cherokee
  By fastpete - May 14 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Jeep in 4 years. My parents got a 96 Grand Cherokee Ltd. I fell in love and got a 94 GC Loredo v8. Loved it but bills forced me to sell it. I then got a 94 GC Ltd v8. It drove like a Caddy 4 wheeling. I got talked into a 2000 Cherokee Sport at the dealership. This was the best Jeep yet. 4x4 is way better than the Grands. The only thing I have to complain about is lack of leg room, and no cruise control on my model. Otherwise I recomend to any seriouse 4x4 buyer.

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  Best SUV on the market!!!!!! - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Shockey5 - May 14 - 2:00 am

  The brakes need alittle touch-up, but nothing to worry about.

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  Enjoyable - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Mike1 - May 14 - 2:00 am

  I have put 2500 miles on a new GC and no problems, I traded a 99 GJC Laredo for this one. The 04 has the H.O. V8 it is great for passing. I like the 6500# tow rating. The GC is just the right size for what I use a vechile for. Im using high test gas in this one even thought the factory says engine will run okay with 87 octane. My is inferno red.

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  Do Not Buy - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Andrew B. Jones - May 14 - 2:00 am

  The SUV is not safe in windy conditions above 10 miles. When driving in the wind the car feels like it is going to tip over. The South Carolina, Sumter dealer is rude and unreliable. Services thier are done to save company time. Items that dont need to be fixed get fixed and items that need repair are done poorly so the customer has to come back. Which leads to money coming out of the customers pocket. Repairs on warranty afer 30,00 miles has ahundred dollar deductiable. I do not recommed this car to anyone. Money can be spent better on other vehicles.

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  Dont Buy One, Buy Two - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Jacks Mom - May 14 - 2:00 am

  This is more of a short story than a review, but I was dead set on buying a Land Rover when I got a Jeep as a rental on a business trip. I drove the rental through Houston and for an hour outside of town on country roads and almost cried when it came time to turn it in. My husband and I both had Hondas that needed replacing and after test driving the Jeep he decided he had to have one too. Actually, my husband did have an older Cherokee in college and never had a single complaint about that car (unlike the 2 Hondas we had). Anyway, weve just been driving these new Jeeps for a week now, but its hard to get out of the car, we love driving them so much.

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  a jeep thing - 1998 Jeep Cherokee
  By chris2234 - May 13 - 10:00 am

  Excellent inxepensive suv with good re- sale value. The only problem is gas mileage. My 1990 crown victoria with 175,000 miles got better gas mileage.THis vehicle will no leave you stranded and is the best 4wd i have ever driven. THe only downside to a reliable engine is the gas mileage. ALos cheeply built with too much plastic inside. Rattles like a 10 yr old car. No complaints other than gas mileage, par for any suv, but rediculously low for this vehicle.