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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  Great car, period. - 2000 Jeep Wrangler
  By jamurr - January 11 - 10:00 am

  I have a 2000 Wrangler Sport, and since my wife is now pregnant, it has to go. I absolutely love this car -- I had a 1989 Wrangler before this, and believe me, the improvements are too numerous to list. I had some worries about the build quality, especially after hearing everything about the Grand Cherokee, but have had nothing in almost a year and a half. The car is incredibly fun to drive, and the engine is more than capable. I havent done any off- roading, but I bet it would handle anything like a champ. I would highly recommend this to anyone (without young kids!!!).

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  Run from it as fast as you can! - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By 1hotrod - January 10 - 12:49 pm

  We bought our 2002 Liberty fall 2009. Fixes in 2 1/2 years ...Water pump and radiator $800.00+, Rear Deferential seal and door hinge $300.00+, Front struts and rear shocks $600.00+ and i did the labor myself, a rocker arm fell off and caused engine damage (a common problem in all Libertys still!) $2100.00+, Eats front brakes and rotors, Interior lights come on and go off by themselves, Lower ball joints break (factory recall) Fuel mileage sucks. Tranny does a goofy shifting thing going down the interstate at cruising speeds. (I dont know the cause of the shifting issue.) All this before or by the time it was a 10 year old vehicle that was well maintained. My first and LAST Jeep/Chrysler!

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  everyone turns their heads as i drive by - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By elizabeth - January 10 - 1:40 am

  I just purchased this jeep 1 week ago. The performance is excellent. Its a nice looking Jeep and its very comfortable inside. I am a female and its easy for a woman to maneuver (not too big). I have no complaints and iI would recommend this Jeep to anyone.

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  Will never own another Jeep! - 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By mandalay_415 - January 9 - 6:44 am

  Ive had this vehicle since February of 2007 and it has been just an averagely okay vehicle. It started having non-stop problems that most mechanics couldnt diagnose. The worst was when it would shudder/shake, lurch like it was shifting from overdrive to 2nd and just shut off while driving. Not safe! It took 4 visits to 2 different mechanics to finally figure out the problem and only after I told them to humor me and check something that I had found after hours of researching the symptoms online. Lights randomly come on and then go off without registering any codes. I have driven this across the country and never got more than 18mpg. I will never own another Jeep/Chrysler ever again!

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  Best one of the bunch - 2004 Jeep Wrangler
  By calucyk2 - January 8 - 10:00 am

  This is my third Jeep; 1999, 2002 and now a 2004. This is by far the best one of the bunch! It rides much better and the sound deadening improvements are huge! I cant wait to test its off road capabilities.

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  45k perfection - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By jeepgc4jr - January 8 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my gc for one year and at 45k miles with zero problems, I ave.19.7 to 20.9, best at 65 on a trip from calif to denver,co. with 21k miles, ave mpg stayed at 21.5. Tires have been rotated every 3.5k and have a long way to go before changing consideration. Brakes are at 50 percent front and 75 percent rear. Gets washed every sat.morning and looks and rides like a dream. I drive my gc an ave of 3.5k miles a month on so.cal freeways trafic and all, no better car for the money and comfort.

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  Great - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By crookster - January 8 - 10:00 am

  This is the best most comfortable jeep. It is so fun to drive. Rides great on roads and has great acceleration. The midnight blue color is the best.

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  Lemon, no warranty coverage - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By jack - January 8 - 5:30 am

  Have owned 2 previous Jeeps with no problems. Purchased top of the line hemi limited 4X4 quadradrive; have become very disappointed. Quadradrive system has design problem. Bad vibration between 70 and 80 MPH. Had tires balanced, Drive shaft replaced. still have same problem. Dealer and company refuse to repair. (Cant test above the area speed limit so we wont cover or repair) performance vehicles? They do not back their cars. Chrysler customer care people are rude. Do not buy one! Mileage on Hemi is bad 10.6 in city, 15 on highway at best even after break in. Read Edmunds forums before purchasing any year Grand Cherokee. Jeeps are not Jeeps any more. Bring back my old Cherokee.

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  fun ride! - 2006 Jeep Commander
  By bryan - January 7 - 7:56 pm

  I looked at everything. Drove everything, after about 6 months of looking I finally went for the Commander and have no regrets. It is awesome in the snow. The traction control going up and down slick roads works great!

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  2nd Jeep Grand Cherokee - 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Coloradojeep - January 7 - 1:10 pm

  This is my 2nd Jeep - I feel theyre very reliable, but it is a DOG in the mountains, no oomph up there at all - all the other SUVs pass me by. Wish it just had a little more "kick" to it! Other than that, its been reliable - I bought it at 21K and Im at 84K right now. Very dependable still.