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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  Biggest Mistake of My Life! - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By advoman56 - June 4 - 10:23 pm

  I honestly made a huge mistake buying a Chrysler product. Im having problem after problem. Im going back to Toyota or Volvo. Chrysler should shut there doors for there sake. Trash all the way!!

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  Generally a Disappointment this Time Around - 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Andrew Hastings - May 23 - 2:22 pm

  In the Fall of 2014 we purchased a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit and our purchase decision was based primarily on the high level of satisfaction we had from purchasing a 2012 Grand Cherokee Summit in the Fall of 2011. Simply put, we were very satisfied Jeep customers as the 2012 had exceeded all of our expectations at that time. It was a stunningly beautiful vehicle, well designed and performed flawlessly over the first three years of ownership. The 2012 had experienced only two service required issues. One to replace a prematurely wearing seat bottom (warranty at 20,000 miles) and the second a failed heat diverter (owner cost, out of warranty). Other than that it was gas, oil and go for over 100,000 miles in a little under 3 years. At this point (Fall of 2015) we decided to replace my wifes 2013 Chevrolet Silverado extended cab 4x4 with a second Summit and became the proud owners of a new Grey one but this time equipped with the Hemi V8. This upgrade in power really changed the performance of the Grand Cherokee positively and surprisingly only resulted in around a 2 mpg loss in fuel economy which was quite amazing. Most of our driving with both Jeeps is purely highway and the V6 averages around 24.5 while the V8 comes in at around 22.5 with both running at around 70 mph on relatively flat terrain. This sadly is where the good news ends. It is hard to believe that these two vehicles were built in the same factory. The difference in quality is immediately quite evident. Paint quality on the 2015 is quite frankly "poor". Botchy and thin paint gives the vehicle a mottled look...as a matter of fact the factories inability to produce a quality paint finish caused them to cease production on several colors during the 2015 model year. This vehicle came new from the factory with more squeaks, rattles and strange noises than our 2012 had after 100,000 miles of driving. After a couple of months ownership the navigation system began giving false readings and this defect spread into all functions within the radio, navigation, heater A/C screen finally culminating in all functions in-operative and a pure black screen. It took numerous "Updates", trips to 4 different dealers and finally a complete radio/nav, heater A/C module and screen replacement authorized by Jeep Engineering in Detroit to remedy. During one service attempt the Jeep was in a dealership out of service for almost 2 weeks...not a ringing endorsement for an almost $60,000 vehicle....!!!!! Moving on, the 8 speed transmission exhibits a nasty habit of refusing to upshift through the gears from a dead stop. Upon accelerating it stays firmly in 1st gear and will only come out after pulling over, putting the vehicle into park and then attempting to drive forward through the gears again. Updates to this point have failed to cure the issue. This leads into the electronic gear shift itself. Quite frankly, it is a very dangerous feature of this generation Jeep Grand Cherokee and has been changed completely for the 2016 model year. The chances of a failed complete move to park has resulted in injuries to Jeep owners exiting their vehicle thinking it is park when it is in fact in reverse. A very poor design since eliminated by Jeep. Summing up the 2015 Summit I can only say it is an enigma for sure. We want very much to love it especially with the performance of the Hemi V8 which makes it a really fun SUV to drive. Additionally the size and configuration of a SUV and in particular this SUV is perfect for our use. But, the issues we have had with the vehicle are not what we expected from a highly awarded and expensive vehicle. If I may, I would like to shift gears (pardon the pun) back to the 2012 Summit. Shortly after buying the 2015 the "engine warning light" on the dash of the 2012 came on and a distinct engine misfire became evident. A trip to the Jeep dealer netted a diagnosis of a failed cylinder head which was a defect in the early V6 Pentastar engines and which is covered by a Jeep/Chrysler extended warranty (150,000 miles). All costs involved in replacing the left side cylinder head are covered by this extended warranty but this dealership added additional repairs (which I agreed to) and which added an "out of pocket" expense of over $600.00 to the engine repair. Also the 2012 GC had developed an annoying rattle in the rear end which they diagnosed as worn and loose shock absorbers that they replaced at a cost of $700.00 (again authorized my myself). Now if the cost of shock replacement wasnt bad enough, when the vehicle was picked up the rattle was still there. Not to mention that when I checked part pricing for the shock absorbers themselves, the OEM shocks they installed cost $138.00 each while a neighboring Jeep dealer quoted them at $96.00 They claim their dealership has its own part pricing matrix. Simply put, the poor quality was bad enough but the recent servicing we experienced cost Jeep a customer...we have purchased our last Jeep product.

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  2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By jkmckiniry - May 13 - 4:16 pm

  Engine light and tire light on all the time. Transmission failed at 3500 miles. Currently at dealer.

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  Who would give me cash for this clunker? - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By No More Jeeps for Me - April 30 - 2:56 am

  Purchased new online in 99. Had to replace front & rear differentials shortly after warranty expired. Lost arbitration w/ shop that used wrong diff. fluid due to Jeep bulletin. Replaced condenser, evaporator, shocks (twice), rotors, pads, yada, yada, yada... Does this vehicle have a seal that doesnt leak? CD changer quit working & front passenger speaker blew long ago. Transmission shifts hard from 1st to 2nd during the winter... likely a viscosity issue as dealer cant fix w/o pulling out tranny which I wont pay for. Check engine light has been on for 2+ yrs now. Dealer wont cut wire. Got 132,000 miles with mostly new parts so hoping for 200,000 miles. Repair bills mounting...

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  Chryslers new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine is garbage - 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By sadconsumer - April 23 - 11:19 pm

  We bought our 2011 Grand Cherokee Laredo 4X4 in December 2010 and it has been in the shop on and off for weeks since be bought it, with major engine related problems. It only has 13000 KM on it and it blows black smoke out of the exhaust when it is started and sounds like an old diesel engine when it runs. The front crankshaft pulley came apart grinding the remaining pulley against the engine block (Chrysler called it "engine crankshaft damper problems" and "harmonizer balancer issues") and most recently the engine was "pulling in too much fuel" and Chrysler informed us the oil separator and PVC valve would need to be replaced. The gear shifter has broken, and further damaged by the dealer 4 months ago and still has not been repaired due to "a lack of replacement parts" and the engine has had declining performance since about 5000KM. We didnt just get a lemon because we found out that in fact other 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engines have come in with the same problems and there have been technical service bulletins released by Chrysler on these issues on other Grand Cherokees. This engine is scheduled to go into many more models in 2012 and I would strongly recommend to avoid this engine at all costs. Chrysler supposedly spent years developing this new engine and have high hopes it will pull this automaker out of financial ruin but they should have spent a little more time because it is full of problems and will no dought cost anyone unfortunate enough to buy one a fortune. Chrysler hasnt been willing to do anything to help and we continue to have out of pocket costs add up.

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  Not Recommended - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By ScMotoz - April 23 - 10:30 pm

  We bought this with 0 miles on it. Have driven it for more than a year now and have had more problems than any other vehicle than I have ever seen. Bought for 19000 now I cant even get a dealer to offer more than 7000 for it. Not reliable. Have had 3 Trans, and a motor already. I get 18 MPG in city and 12 or so on Highway. I have 5- SPD and pull 4000-4500 RPM at highway speeds. Suspension is already shot in rear. Good thing for warranty. I recommend Do NOT buy this vehicle. And I really hope someone reads this review and changes their mind. I wouldnt wish this car upon my worst enemy. Oh yeah even the "Stain resistant" seats leave spots from anything. This car is bull.

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  Do not purchase the V6 - 2008 Jeep Commander
  By Johnathon Green - April 23 - 4:25 pm

  I cannot even begin to explain the amount of repairs this car has required. We have had the transmission replaced and it still slips. We had the air conditioning fixed, twice, and yet the average human being could blow air harder than the air conditioning that came with the car. Lastly we have had the radiator replaced, and then the hose bursted. We replaced it, it just bursted again today. I do not drive my car like a hooligan, or stomp on the gas everywhere I go in a hurry, yet this vehicle breaks on is, every step of the way, and it only has around 80,000 miles on it. With the gas mileage it makes you might as well buy a hummer that comes with a much stronger V8 over this Jeep. I made this review not because I think Jeeps suck, but because there is definitely an obvious reason why they stopped making this model.

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  Jeeps are Junk - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By CS - April 22 - 10:00 am

  Too many problems, in six times for warranty work...as soon as out of warranty, transmission problems. Power window problems, sensor problems, tires wore out very fast..this car will not last to 100K miles. Will never buy another Daimler-Chrysler product in this lifetime.

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  Cant be Fixed! - 1998 Jeep Wrangler
  By pwayne1 - April 20 - 10:53 am

  In 2010 I purchased a beautiful 98 Wrangler Sport,from an elderly lady that had only 51k miles.It had a 4.0 with air and auto transmission.Within a week,the jeep would for no apparent reason,begin to stall and miss.This episode would last anywhere from 45 to 60 seconds,and by stomping on the gas,it would backfire,and then smooth out.In the last 10k miles,I have spent approx. 2500.00$ trying to resolve this problem,including 1300.00$ and 18 weeks at the Dealership.After 4 and 1/2 months,I brought it home today,same problem.After owning four Jeeps, this is my last.

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  no more rotors - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By jeneane - April 19 - 10:00 am

  I love the look of this SUV and i guess that is what got me into trouble. Did not research the mechanics as I will on my next purchase. The brakes are a complete nightmare, pads and rotors replaced 4 times and starting to SHAKE again(all you Jeep owners know what I mean). My fan needs replacing, car overheats when not in motion:( Nice looking and fairly comfortable!