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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  Renegade Fun! - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By blacksheep - May 9 - 2:03 pm

  Ive had my Jeep for 5 months and I love it. Gas mileage stinks but it is a very reliable off-roading vehicle. I love the light bar on top. It turns the woods into daylight at night.

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  Great boy toy ! - 2000 Jeep Wrangler
  By Great boy toy ! - May 9 - 5:30 am

  Have wanted a Jeep since I started to drive. Just purchased a 2000 SE with 80,000. 4cyl. Drives great. Have been making mods to improve performance. Great gas mileage with the 4 banger. You do give up some performance. having fun working on it. Kids are having a great time with the top down. It is only up if its raining.

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  A great suv - 2008 Jeep Compass
  By jc155 - May 7 - 4:46 pm

  I wanted a SUV, but I didnt want to pay the big bucks to own an SUV. So I bought the compass. Very quiet SUV. Gets good gas mileage nothing spectacular. When it goes to shift, I actually cant hear it. My passengers have tried to listen for it but found it very hard to hear. The back seats are very roomy. I have no problem getting in with the seats all the way back and Im (6"1 and 320 lb). Overall a great car to have.

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  My Jeep Compass - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By Leeza - May 4 - 7:23 pm

  My Compass is great in most ways. The only real complaint I have is the front seat is not comfortable. Seems to be designed more for the male than female. If the seat were just an inch or two wider it would be great. Since my purchase Ive had two other females tell me that the seat is too narrow and pinches.

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  i love my jeep - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By leedolly1 - May 4 - 2:00 am

  great vehicle. fun to drive. goes great in the snow. fun look to it and many people have stopped to ask about the jeep because they would like to purchase one. seats 4 people comfortably with a large trunk space.

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  WE LOVE OUR JEEP LIBERTY - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By marci - May 3 - 10:00 am

  I HAVE NO REGRETS FOR PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE. I JUST LOVE TO RIDE IN IT. MY HUSBAND HAS A GRAND CHEROKEE & SINCE WE PURCHASSED THE LIBERTY IT SEEMS LIKE THAT IS ALL HE WANTS TO DRIVE! I HAVE 2 COMPLAINTS THE GAS MILAGE IS TERRIBLE, & I SEEM TO HAVE A WEIRD NOISE AS I REACH 50 MILES PER HOUR? EVEN HIS 8 CYLYNDER CHEROKEE HAS BETTER GAS MILAGE?

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  Headache - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By vito1972 - May 3 - 10:00 am

  I had wanted a liberty since last May. I bought one in October and it was great for about two months then my troubles began. Ive had to go to the dealership to have my front suspension replaced, but it seems that my rear suspension is bad too. My heating system has a tendency to smell like a skunk, and my brakes dont work well any more and I dont even have 6000 miles .Overall ride quality has just gotten worse. I was going to buy an Escape,but decided on the Liberty,I may have made a mistake.

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  Its all Jeep! - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By duffer - May 2 - 1:33 am

  I have read previous reviews and will mainly reiterate what has been stated. It is all Jeep and is definitely no slouch. Very powerful but poor gas mileage. Has a nice exterior look but have to fold the rear seats down to even put my golf clubs in. Seats stain very, very easily! Plenty of headroom, but feel crowded laterally. Have never known any Jeep to keep wiper blades any longer than two weeks. Not a lot of front area storage. Handling is poor if tires not inflated properly or the wind is blowing. Love it in the snow! Final analysis, if you love Jeep, you will love this, if not, you wont. Next time Ill get a Toyota.

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  Love it, love it, love it!!! - 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By LOVE IT! - May 1 - 8:46 pm

  Not sure what everyone is complaining about. I have no problems with acceleration. This has been the most fun driving I have had in a while. My first SUV and I am hooked. Love the look, love the ride! My favorite vehicle thus far. One thing, my back seats rattle. Not sure why, but I am having it looked at soon. No biggie though.

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  All is great except fuel capacity - 2006 Jeep Commander
  By Traveller - May 1 - 12:00 pm

  My first 4-wheel drive vehicle was the 1976 Scout Traveler. Since then Ive had Explorers/Mountaineers. The Commander was a return to the Jeep style. Best riding SUV Ive ever owned. I bought the 5.76 Hemi used with 4,000 miles on it. Huge design flaw is the small gas tank. I cant drive 326 miles to my home on Cape Cod without having to stop for refueling. My Mountaineers always made it with gas to spare. Going to 4 cylinder when highway traveling is a nice idea, but it saves very little fuel. Price of gas makes this car a non-purchase. HOWEVER, fuel efficiency and capacity aside, its a great vehicle.