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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  Very disappointed - 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Lisa Davidson - April 22 - 8:43 am

  I bought with only 64 miles. Now I have 32,000 miles it just quit on the highway on my way to my cancer treatment. The dealership said it will cost $5,000.00 to fix. I am very disappointed I have always bought Chrysler products all my family works and have retired from there. No more they will not work with me and Im done.

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  so so - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By jel82303 - April 15 - 6:10 pm

  I have not had any major problems with my Jeep. Only that there has been a loud clunking sound like the transmission when I start or stop. I have brought this to many Jeep dealers and was told this is normal...it is the quadra drive. Seems like such a feature should not be so embarrassing to have. Also, have replaced MANY sets of brakes. It does have great towing power and get-up. If you like a cushioned ride in a vehicle that feels like it is attached to the wheel by elastics this is for you. And forget interior room, especially in the back seat.

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  It wasnt bad at first - 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Cindee - April 14 - 10:00 am

  This Jeep was a dream until I found out that this jeep lunges for no apparent reason, it jerks, and i have taken it in and no one can really tell me a specific reason why it does this, I would not reccomend this jeep, not unless the manufacturer takes a look at what is causing this lunge

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  Ill know better next time. - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By BudmanSnowman - April 8 - 10:00 am

  Good looking SUV, handles nice, power and traction is good, comfort is second to none, oh by the way that is when it is not in the shop. Had the SUV less than 18 months and had the drive train rebuilt. Bearings, shot, transmission pump making strange noise, replaced. Power window motor, both sides replaced, by auto body friend. Saved over $200 by going to him instead of dealer. AC, shot after 3 years. Never worked real well from day one. Also replaced by auto body friend. Saved over $300 by going to him instead of dealer

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  Not a great car for tall or wider people - 2017 Jeep Compass
  By D Huntley - April 4 - 3:08 pm

  We use our vehicles for delivery and are in and out of vehicle all day. The edges of the seat are very hard and hurt our legs as we exit. The seat pans are also too short and tilt upward into your thighs. If youre riding all day its very uncomfortable. Not enough lower back support. Emerge with back and tail end aching after a day in the car. The front seat also has to slide back too far to accommodate tall people. So theres no room in rear seat for other tall people. Acceleration is poor (gutless) uphill and have to turn AC off if you want robust acceleration! Engine is very loud/deafening on acceleration, it sounds like a motorcycle!

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  07 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo - 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Laura - March 30 - 2:00 am

  This is the 3rde Jeep that I have owned 98,04 and now the 07. I have never had so many problems. After a month of owning it my jeep would not accelerate for at least 5-10 seconds, I ended up having a shifter module put into it, It was fine for about 2 months, Now I am having the same problem AGAIN. It will not accelerate, Thank god this time I wasnt on the highway! A few people have the same year and model and there jeep just randomly shuts off on them. I will never buy a jeep again. They need to do a recall. Looks like almost everyone is having the same issues.

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  Hate the Electronic Transmission - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By txgamn - March 28 - 10:23 pm

  Ive had this vehicle in two times because of the the transmission and Ive only had it 7 months. It seems they place the A/C on top to the transmission and when the A/C starts condensing, it drips onto the transmission. If the transmission has not been sealed properly, the vehicle will be sluggish at times. I am afraid of this vehicle and that one day it may bog down too much and just stop when I am trying to merge on to the highway.

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  Chris from Philadelphia - 1998 Jeep Wrangler
  By Chris V - March 28 - 2:13 am

  Bought my Jeep 4 years ago. Replaced the cat. converter 3 times. Replaced radiator. Constantly tightening belt. Without an automatic tensioner it squeaks about every 2,000 miles with the AC or defroster on. Getting kinda tired of the rattling of the cat converter. Unfortunatly I do not come under the recall they issued for that.

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  Side airbags may not deploy during roll - 2006 Jeep Commander
  By Rubino - March 23 - 1:20 pm

  Ive been a Jeep owner since 1985. Ive loved and trusted them until Jan 2007 when I was sideswiped by a van while traveling 35-40pph on the highway. As the Commander spun, rolled, and violently hit the pavement, the driver seat and the top of the pax seat had no protection from the outter elements. Neither side airbag deployed. It was a horrifying incident which totalled the Jeep. The only life saver safety item that did its job properly was the seat belt. Had I not been wearing the federally mandated basic seat belt I would be dead.

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  Dont Buy this Jeep or any Jeep - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By atlien000 - March 20 - 10:00 am

  I will never buy a Daimler-Chrysler product!!!!!! Since we bought this Jeep we have had numerous problems with the power windows until they were fixed by the dealer and finally stopped working for good. I spoke with a number of people who have had the same problems with the window plus more. If you want to buy a dependable car or suv look elsewhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dont buy these products from JEEP!!!