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:

• 

  great experience - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By vicki hardin - February 27 - 6:00 am

  I worked for a Jeep dealership & I love the Grand Cherokee. But the Liberty is so much fun to drive. It has that European style handling and driving. I wish it got better gas mileage. Dont like the front end on the 2005s. My 2004 looks robust and demanding me to drive it. And I do.

• 

  Sluggish and Jerky - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By jjbigs - February 26 - 6:06 pm

  I love the look but hate the performance. At slow speeds it lurches when you step on the gas. Climbing and hill in goes to a higher gear instead of downshifting. At all other times, it is fun to drive and very comfortable. Looks good on the road. Even with the sound upgrade, the stereo is poor.

• 

  Style and grunt - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By grand cherokee - February 26 - 7:26 am

  MY JGC Limited is almost a year old and only has 2000 miles on it. I hope the gas mileage improves as engine breaks in. Very nice SUV, almost too nice to consider taking off road. Very pleased with this, my second Jeep vehicle. I had a 2004 Jeep Liberty Renegade lost in a collision.

• 

  Worth all that money? - 2006 Jeep Commander
  By Becky - February 25 - 10:13 pm

  I fell in love with the model on the showroom floor. Refused to pay $820 for the chrome wheels; didnt need the hemi engine; didnt want the back seat entertainment system. LOVE the heated leather front seats. Lots of extras Im still learning to use, but they are worth the cost. The car runs so quiet I have to listen to be sure it cranked. Cruises powerfully at 80 with great road handling in the curves. Only bad thing is it needs a bigger gas tank. I want to go about 350 miles between fill ups. Gets around 17 on the interstate, better if I go slower. Highly recommend this model. Plus I feel important driving this impressive SUV.

• 

  One Great Jeep - 2006 Jeep Wrangler
  By Jeep Vet - February 25 - 8:06 pm

  Having owned CJ5s and Scramblers in the past I am well pleased with this Jeep. I dont understand the previous reviews complaining about room, MPG etc. This is an off road vehicle, not a cruiser/SUV. It is very comfortable compared to the previous Jeeps I have owned and has almost every feature you could ask for. I live in East TN close to Windrock Mountain and Tellico. Although not great in the mud in its stock form (you need a lift & bigger tires to do any serious mudding), it will climb a brick wall. Snow and bad weather are no sweat for this thing. For years I would not buy a Jeep because I thought they were not as tough as the older models. This may still be true, but I am well pleased.

• 

  Cherokee SRT - 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By tom w - February 24 - 8:10 pm

  Ive had my Cherokee SRT for 2 weeks now (am the second owner of my SRT, 4K miles) and what a vehicle. The performance of a sports car and ride of the smoothest suv. Decked inside and out. Zero to sixty in 5 seconds. Thats right. If only there were more open roads in LA. The perfect combo of speed and accuracy. Decked inside and out. Aggressive yet classy styling. Get yourself one if you can.

• 

  Transmission Fish Bite - 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By busterssuv - February 24 - 7:21 pm

  Our 2013 Grand Cherokee Overland had the fish bite experience in the transmission described all over the web. We brought it back to the dealership with only 200 miles on it. That began a series of visits over the course of a year – 8 visits in all. We finally received a software update (first promised in March 2013, then June, then July, and then August). The software update made the problem worse! After pursuing the Lemon Law process and getting nowhere with Chrysler, we gave in and traded it for a totally different make/model - with zero regrets. The GC was a gigantic waste of time and money.

• 

  This truck rocks... - 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By jeepowner - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Just bought a new 2003 JGC with the 4.7HO. I must say for ans SUV Im passing amost everything on the road. I mean this truck really cruises. A bit noisy and a bit bumby when truckin along, but thats exepcted...its a Jeep thing. Sound system cranks, the interior lighting is very clear and colorful (wife loves it)and its very roomy. Also very pretty looking truck.

• 

  My Big Investment - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By bubbles - February 24 - 10:00 am

  I live on a mountain top and the road is almost "off road." Ive had Subarus, but wanted something different. Fell in love with the Liberty - Ltd edition. Asked perfect strangers. I knew the gas mileage was poor, but didnt know how poor. I drive 200 miles a day, so it mounts up. The interior is wearing quite well, dash is conveniently laid out. I have the moon roof and enjoy that.

• 

  Not bad for the money - 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By jcrs - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Second jeep I buy. I live in Colorado so I do go off road often (driving in a graded dirt road is not going off road so I really mean it). Last March we got a big winter storm that put 4 feet of snow (yes like in 48 inches) in my driveway and I was able to drive out the next day. The guy with the F350 superduty got stuck, the Explorers were hopeless, the guy in the 4 Runner couldnt make it and the snow plow broke the blade trying to follow me (no exageration). The JGC is not perfect but as long as I live where I live I will keep Jeeping.