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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  My 2001 Jeep Cherokee - A TIME BOMB! - 2001 Jeep Cherokee
  By LKS - July 29 - 10:00 am

  I have not had my car 3 years and I just had to replace the engine (3 days after a regular tune-up at the dealership). The car broke down on a highway 130 miles from home. So far I have paid 3K out of pocket for thsi incident. Chrysler paid for parts b/c they know they made a poor quality engine. To top it all off - 1 day after picking my car up from the dealer with the new engine - the car broke down again - and I had to have the radiator replaced. I have always done all of the suggested maintinence on the car and should not have had this trouble.

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  Just Sad - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Trabear - July 29 - 10:00 am

  Bought new in 2000 and nothing but trouble. $1100 in breaks, 2 broken doorlocks=$300 and now broken front leather seat. I really thought I bought a good quality car but got just a piece of junk. Chrysler has been no help and I suggest a class action lawsuit for the breaks.

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  Liberty not Liberating - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By Christopher Schisler - July 23 - 10:00 am

  Dont buy this Jeep. It is THE most uncomfortable car I have EVER driven. It gulps gas. It has been back to the shop with transmission and engine problems twice. I chose the liberty over the escape for looks...shouldnt have been so shallow...I think the escape is a better ride.

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  Windows Suck - 2006 Jeep Liberty
  By jeepmadness - July 16 - 12:49 pm

  I bought a used one with 10,000 miles. I immediatley started having trouble with the windows. I paid a $100 deductable six times to have this problem fixed, and it has never been fully resolved. My back drivers side window is now being held up this a suction cup purchased at harbor freight for 5.99. The 5.99 suction cup has served me much better then anyone at Jeff Wyler, Ft. Thomas. I have yet to be reimbursed from Chrysler for my previous expenses and Jeff Wyler wants to charge me $80 to look at the problem to see if it will be covered by the extended warranty now offered due to the problem. Every window part should be included for this car due to the inconvenience. Dont buy the 2006!

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  Underpowered and lousy gas mileage. Cheap! - 2016 Jeep Patriot
  By Brett - July 15 - 12:43 am

  Thank goodness it was only a rental. I understand that one may sacrifice performance for better mileage or vice-versa, but this car delivers neither. It was constantly hunting for the right gear ... just awful. As others have already said, the mileage is crap, especially when considering what a wheezebox the thing is. Toss in the small tank and I was shocked at how quickly the fuel gauge dropped. Seats were not very comfortable, either. Thankfully, we only had it for a day, as it was a replacement for another rental, which died near the end of our vacation. That first car (Chevy Malibu) was consistently giving us 34 MPG in mixed driving. The Patriot didnt come close, even though it was 100% highway driving. Had this been our vehicle for the whole trip, it wouldve been miserable. I cannot believe rental companies consider this at the same level as the "full size" cars. I know never to make the mistake of renting a "compact SUV", as I might get stuck with one of these again. Who knows? Maybe other compact SUVs are just as bad. These definitely belong in the sub-$18K range. Just awful.

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  Terrible car - 2014 Jeep Compass
  By cad700 - July 12 - 3:54 pm

  I just got the 2.4 automatic Compass Limited last week. Its a fleet vehicle, didnt have a choice so didnt test driver one. Picked up the car one evening, didnt do anything but drive home 5 miles. Woke up the next morning and the remote access buttons on the key did not work, used the key, got in, started the car and the radio wasnt working either. All kinds of similar issues. Im sure that can be fixed but the biggest problem is the engine/powertrain. The vehicle does terrible when you try to accelerate to change lane or merge, pulls to the point of almost losing control. I drove a 12 Escape with a 2.5 engine, much more powerful engine.

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  Disappointed - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By Sharon - July 11 - 12:40 am

  Front the day purchased there has been a problem with a vibration in the front end, tires have been rotated, replaced - still vibrates. Brakes had to be replaced in first month. Still have vibration. It gets maybe 16mpg on any type roads, country or highway. I would trade it in in a heart beat but the value dropped so fast even the dealer wont take it back for what we owe. The interior is very limited, less than my PT Cruiser had.

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  Stick a fork in me: Im done - 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Jeff B. - July 10 - 7:23 am

  Loaded. Immaculately maintained My second Jeep. (Wife likes her new 2nd Liberty. FWIW, her well maintained old one blew a head at 113,000, w/ no warning, but TG after she traded). Jeep cant build a damn tranny to save their life: this is my second (previous 2001) to trash the entire Quadra II tranny ($3500, each time). This one did it while I was saving up for a new evaporator ($1300) for the AC. I though my old BMW cost a bunch to maintain, but nothing on it "just broke": they wore out. Repeated drive line issues, ac problems and others make me wish Id bought a Subaru/almost anything else. Helpful dealer. Awful car. Priced trade value on Edmunds: can you say "abandon ship?"

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  First SUV-Disappointed - 2000 Jeep Cherokee
  By dcn821 - July 9 - 10:00 am

  Leased it in September of 2000. Tremendous ability in the snow but thats about it. Had front brake rotors replaced at 6000 miles due to warping. Then had new rotors resurfaced at 17,000 miles due to warping. Nobody at the dealership can tell me why this vehicle is burning up front rotors. I have an annoying whine coming from the transmission area but the dealership says thats normal. Thank God its a 3 year lease with a waranty. Looking forward to getting rid of it.

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  Buying a used jeep? Good Luck - 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By 4wheeler - July 9 - 10:00 am

  We wish we would have reviewed the listings on the chat rooms before buying. NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE! The transmission is lousy, expect problems!