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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  Its a Jeep Thing!! - 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Kineticv - August 31 - 10:46 am

  I bought my 96 GC Limited in 2000. It had 70,000 miles on it already but I needed a larger vehicle and didnt want to spend a fortune so I bought it. Best decision I ever made!!! I have had to make very few repairs and most of those have been normal wearing type. It now has 218,000 miles on it and I am just now thinking of trading it in for a new one. Not because it wont run anymore, but just because I figure it probably wont be worth anything for trade in if I wait any longer. I highly recommend this vehicle.

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  2007 Patriot limited - 2007 Jeep Patriot
  By Julius - August 30 - 10:13 pm

  The exterior is very bold. I love the ride. It is so much more comfortable than other Jeeps or truck based SUV. It rides higher than cars, but not as high as truck based SUVs. Visibility is good. I dont like the placement of the rearview mirror, as it somewhat limits visibility. Road noise is prominent, but this is expected since I have the all terrain tires. Off road ability is superb. It can travel just about any place my previous Nissan Xterra went. Wind noise is somewhat pronounced due to the large mirrors. Cruising speed from 20-65 mph is very quiet. 65 and beyond, wind noise does increase. It isnt terribly bad, comparable to a Nissan Altima I traded.

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  Love this Ride - 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By macdragonfl - August 30 - 8:13 pm

  Great handling, styling. Comfortable, quiet. Dependable. Best Grand Cherokee ever. Surpasses all American Midsize SUVs and many foreign

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  Transmission concerns - 2010 Jeep Compass
  By quick_learner - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Very smooth ride in the highway. However, a very different story in the city: While going on an uphill or flat road, accelerate the car to 25 mph, let off the pedal and you will feel the car shaking and even clunking. If you can take it, you will be fine, buy the car. If not, mark it off your list along with the patriot and dodge caliber which have the same CVT transmission.

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  Reasonable vehicle for reasonable price - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By Joe Chocrame - August 30 - 10:00 am

  I have done a lot of highway driving in my Liberty and it has performed pretty well--the Check engine light has come on several times and it difficult to get to stay off. Gas mileage isnt the best. Front seats are quite comfortable however the back seat is quite uncomfortable and crammed. I like having the spare tire so convenient. These Jeeps work great on bumpy roads although the ride is a little rough and noisy. Even in 4wheel high, my warning is not to drive it on the highway in any slippery road conditions. I have gone off the road a few times on the ice at . Thank God the vehicle never has rolled over!Over all its a cute little guy but do not expect to get out of a muddy ditch!

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  Love my jeep but not again - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By sherry - August 30 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Jeep used only a year old. I had no problems with it till 2008. I had to replace the blend door in it ($763) of course the warranty wouldnt take care of it. Last winter i went to start it and one of the rods popped off. (WOW) and again the warranty didnt pay. Now this year right before summer, AGAIN, the blend door breaks again, another ($763). My transmission will slip once in awhile so Im sure that will be next. I have never had a car with this many BIG problems in such a short time. My gosh its only 5 years old.

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  Glad to be a Jeep owner again - 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Jen - August 30 - 10:00 am

  I have had a 99 Jeep Cherokee and an 04 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo in the past, both were reliable but neither had anything that was extraordinary. I finally left the Jeep world and drove a Dodge Charger RT (with a Hemi) for the past 3 years. I loved the speed and power of the Charger, but missed the capabilities of an SUV. I was about to give up on the Chrysler Group altogether until I heard about the new 2011 JGC. Oh my goodness, its fantastic! Within the first 2 minutes of the test drive I knew I was going to buy it. Jeep has done such a wonderful job in recreating this vehicle. The interior resembles that of any high-end luxury car and the outside looks great too! Love it!

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  Another love my Jeep person - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By cometdog - August 29 - 4:10 pm

  Ive had my Jeep for 8 months, and love it! The rack and pinion steering and the power are fun. The suspension rules, for an on or off road vehicle (done both). This is the first vehicle Ive owned that cheers me up to drive after a rotten day at work. So far no mechanical bugs, I would recommend the Liberty to anyone considering a "cute ute". Its not a soccer mom thing, and the name Sport is appropriate

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  POS Chrysler - 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Charlie - August 29 - 1:04 am

  I cant tell you how much problems the jeeps we have get. Me and my dad both own the exact model 1998 Jeep even both of them being the same color. My dad has the 4.0 and I have the V8. They have always been nothing but trouble for many years. His has been in the shop forever, mine has 240000 miles now. It leak oil all the time always has, leaks coolent, leaks transmission, transmission slips also even when fluid is full, O2 sensor went out recently (as expected), no heat, no a/c, and thats just the recent stuff, tried getting that to work like four different times and it always just goes back out. And many more things over the years, its like every other month somthing breaks down on it. Now its a metal death trap because everytime I slow down/mash the brakes/ come to a stop, the RPMs drop to zero and the jeep shuts off and brakes and steering lock up WHILE IM DRIVING. even as your turning into a parking spot, or almost ramming into the back of a car because the thing just decided to shut off. Alot of times in a nervous wreck when I get home from almost crashing. Have spent many times trying to get the problem fixed but four different machanics at four different shops cant figure it out. Its now sitting in the yard because Im too scared to drive the junk. Now driving a little Chevy s10 truck. maybe I can use the jeep as a dare for my friends to drive it and if they get back without crashing Ill give them a hundered bucks.

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  Excellent Vehicle and Great Value! - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Ryan328 - August 28 - 2:16 am

  This car is efficient; I get 18.5 mpg in town. Excellent offroad I have to say. I also have a Wrangler, so I know what offroading is about. I am a hunter, fisherman and ride quads so I use it quite a bit. It never gets stuck. No reliability issues, itÂ’s been solid and is very smooth. I would recommend to anyone. My friends 2005 4Runner broke his rack and pinion while on a hunting expedition and my Jeep towed him home over the same terrain. Toyotas arent what they used to be. He now drives a Jeep. For the price you pay get something that will do what you need.