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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  Finally back in the SUV saddle - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By lazybear - May 9 - 7:30 pm

  Ive had my Renegade for about 2 weeks now and couldnt be happier! My Liberty drives like a tank and I love it. Ive always been an SUV girl at heart, first car was a Blazer Tahoe. Ive been a sedan driver for the past 10 years and felt it was time to go back to an SUV. Having this truck makes me glad I did!

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  165,000 Miles and Still Going Strong - 1996 Jeep Cherokee
  By M. Oberstaedt - May 8 - 12:53 pm

  Have owned the Jeep for 10 years and its still fun to drive and knock down a Mustang or 2 with its fantastic acceleration to 70MPH. (Speedo only goes up to 85MPH) Best engine that was ever put into a Jeep. Even my wife gets a kick out of it. Have only put in approx. $600 in repairs needed over the 10 years with the biggest expense being to replace the radiator with a new aluminum one with a lower pressure cap. This happened at 163,000 miles last month. Interior carrying room is also great and I remove the lower back seat and put the back down to get more room than that offered by the new SUV imitators. Wish they still made this one.

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  Something must be done!!! - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By anonymous - May 8 - 6:03 am

  I have had my Grand Cherokee for 2 yrs. now and since day one it has had problems. It started with a hard start, or two and since 2000 miles has stalled. The dealership can not do anything because there are no trips to the computer and the vehicle starts back up. I have also had my sunroof drain tubes replaced, window parts replaced, sunroof parts replaced, a faulty step button replaced, and my 4WD light and air bag light came on for some time. I have almost been hit twice in the past two years because the vehicle completely shuts down while driving. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE!!

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  We really like it - 2016 Jeep Cherokee
  By Jim P - May 8 - 5:50 am

  This model was not listed in the review choices, so for the record, it is a 2016 Cherokee Latitude, 4x4, 3.2 V6 engine, tow package, cold weather pkg, safty pkg, comfort pkg, uconnect 8.4 with navigation. Manufactured 4/23/2016, purchased June 8th. Plenty of power, quiet, shifts perfect, and very comfortable. Just hit 1,100 miles, getting 30-31mpg on the highway. UPDATE -now at 3000 miles. Still perfect.

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  Its Got a Hemi - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Sean - May 7 - 3:46 pm

  I recently traded in my beloved Honda Accord for a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. The ride is smooth and quiet but you can hear the RUMBLE when you need that HEMI power to kick in. The fuel economy stinks but I was ready for that when i was getting the 5.7 liter engine. Driving stability is phenomenal. I love the front chrome grill on my Jeep. Its got every imaginable feature such as rain sensors, auto dimming mirrors, heated front seats, 6 disc mp3 cd player, dvd player, memory seats, tire pressure monitor, back up sensor. And its size is not as monstrous as the Suburban so ... you can step on it a little without the fear of losing control. How can you not gun it if youve got a HEMI! :)

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  A good used buy - 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By jeepster - May 7 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle on my 17th birthday. I drove it for a month and the front right brakes siezed. I brought it back to the dealership and 1500 dollars later i had brand new motor mounts, brakes, track bars and new bushings. it had 140,000 miles on it, so that is expected. It drives like new, and the V* is awesome. I beat the crap out of little wannabe civics. The only thing I would change is the gas mileage.

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  Will someone blow my Jeep up? - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By saj mahal - May 7 - 2:00 am

  Ill highlight some of my favorite repairs. $300 - Front calipers rotors. $900 Rear bearings. $150 fuel pump regulator something or another. Anyone know why the steering wheel moans when you turn it? Is there supposed to be water inside the headlight assembly? Ok, why wont the cruise control engage? I love the fact that the HVAC control doesnt work anymore. Its stuck in the defrost mode! Looks like Im going to buy a 4runner. Oh, the gas shocks that hold the hood up...they dont like the cold, so make sure conditions are ideal the next time you need to check under the hood, or else you will find yourself literally "under the hood".

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  GREAT CAR - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By JMBNY - May 7 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Jeep Liberty for 3 weeks. I love the car. The power is good and it handle very well during a snow blizzard. Also the wierdest thing happen to me today. I was in park waiting for someone and the car stalled on me.

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  my jeep - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By chathamr - May 7 - 2:00 am

  The best vehicle I have ever owned. Best off road, were it is home.

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  Great buy even for a big guy - 2007 Jeep Liberty
  By Jkain - May 6 - 6:10 pm

  In a sea of poor decisions I make a good one. Best thing Ive done. Rides great, has power, very nimble and great for any necessary off-roading that may come up. Not to mention Im saving over a hundred bucks a month. I have a small family and it works for them too. Very stylish interior and the chrome accents really round of the exterior. Jeep had me at honk-honk