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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  It is the the Jeep you remembered - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Rich B - July 23 - 10:10 pm

  The new Jeep 2005 style and ride has improved over the older style, however, its performance and reliability needs lots of help. The downshifting is very hard and noticeable. The vehicles shift module needed to be replaced at 16K miles. The blinker mechanism also broke. The brakes chatter. The gas gauge did not work after one week. The transmission leaked and it was recalled already. The dealership service is also terrible. I hope all the troubles are behind or this vehicle will be traded soon.

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  Sold garbage V8 after 3,900 miles - 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By chadrod99 - July 16 - 4:46 pm

  I cannot begin to tell you what a complete pile of trash this car is. Hey V8 owners, check your oil? I was burning over a quart of oil every 1,000 miles. Chryslers answer? Its "normal". Are you kidding me??? Quote: "Let the engine build up some sludge and the oil burning might slow down." The transmission and drive by wire lag is completely unacceptable. A Hemi with that much HP should not get its arse handed to it from my 2005 GX470. Quote: "Thats adaptive learning for optimum fuel economy." My MPG? 13. The Radio button on the stereo would not tune to presets no matter how you touched it. Quote: "Its just sensitive, you have to live with it." Um, *expletive* you!

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  Soggy 2016 Jeep Cherokee lemon - 2016 Jeep Cherokee
  By IngridD - July 9 - 4:43 pm

  My 2016 Jeep Cherokee has under 3K miles on it and it is a lemon. It has a water leak that causes floorboards to be soaked. Vehicle has been at dealership four times for this issue (currently still there). Each time they return the car to me they say they have sealed this or that and water tested. Each time the leak has quickly returned. I opened a case (#29199176) with Jeep/Chrysler. I want my money back. I am concerned about corrosion and long-term reliability issues with the vehicle. I worry about mold affecting my familys health. I want my money back so that I may buy a different vehicle and Move on. I do not have time in my life for this drama. I am super busy with high stress job, kids and a frail mother suffering from dementia. The last thing I need is an unreliable car which is why I purchased a new vehicle. I felt the jeep would be easier for my mom to get in and out of but clearly I should have gone with another SUV. So far I am underwhelmed by the response I am getting from Jeep/Chrysler. What a pain!!!
  
  
  
  

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  I hate this car - 1998 Jeep Wrangler
  By Karrye - July 2 - 10:00 am

  This car breaks constantly. In less than 6 months I have replaced the catalytic converter, muffler, clutch, several engine senors, raditor, fuel filter and pump, and still the car does not run right! Jeep truley stands for just empty every pocket.

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  My first Jeep and my LAST - 2007 Jeep Patriot
  By Stibbetts - July 2 - 8:10 am

  I bought this car 4 months ago with just under 20k miles. I needed a new vehicle and fast, and the price was okay. I have regretted it ever since. The seats are horribly uncomfortable, especially for long trips. The gas milage, while not bad, isnt NEARLY as good as advertised, and the gas tank is so small it runs out in no time. I could take forever rattling off the little things that annoy me about it, but there isnt enough room. Finally, at 30k miles, I had to take the Jeep in to the dealership because the engine was misfiring. It as still under the 36k warranty, but seriously, if the thing is having problems this major at 30k, what do I have to look fwd to after warranty runs out?

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  mistake - 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By sucker bought a jeep - June 29 - 2:00 am

  Worst piece of #$%& I ever owned. Problems @ 25K miles when I was told that the mean time before failure (MTBF) was rated @ 27K miles- very poor.

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  Window woes - 2007 Jeep Liberty
  By Pappy6 - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Very poor pwr.window mechanism. Two windows have completely failed and expensive to repair and get replacement parts. Except from dealer with NO assistance from Chrysler whom is aware of the continuing problem.

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  Jumped tooo fast !! - 2008 Jeep Wrangler
  By C Cherry - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Fell in LOVE with the four door Jeep...hunted 3 months before I found 1 I liked and affordable. Four door has come along way for Jeeps-however IT IS STILL A "SUV" JEEP, NO comfort - particularly on long trips. Back seats sit straight up with No adjustments, doors swing open, lights are not auto, TEST DRIVE - LIVE in it for 24 hours first. It is a GREAT size and a looker but NO comfort!

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  I wish I chosen a different suv - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By keith - June 8 - 8:13 pm

  Ahhhh - right now what I can say. It gets bad gas mileage and I have only 6706 miles on it and already had it in service department 3 times with window switches and engine light comes on. There is no power.

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  Window Regulators - 2006 Jeep Liberty
  By MelisaRob - June 6 - 7:16 am

  The window regulators are a constant problem. They have been fixed five times in four years and Chrysler refuses to issue a recall even though I have found thousands of complaints about this on other sites.