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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  whats going on with my car!? please help - 2007 Jeep Liberty
  By mcvallee91 - December 27 - 12:14 pm

  Ive owned my 2007 Jeep Liberty Sport 4dr rwd for six months now, previously was used as lease and rental vehicle. since purchasing the vehicle, I have replaced the brake light housing, front right window, and motor and regulator to front driver side window. Just this evening my vehicle stalled on me. It is an automatic vehicle and I always change the oil just shy of 3,000 miles using mid grade oil. Anyone having similar problems? why is my car stalling?

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  True Sport Utility - 1998 Jeep Cherokee
  By Scooter - December 26 - 6:10 am

  This is one rugged SUV. Utility is the key word here. I take this thing off road, on 3000 mile road trips, to the grocery store, lumber yard, skiing, hunting, fishing, tailgating. It has 120,000 miles and starts instantly. Goes off road like a warrior and has a classic look. I took two 6 footers, all our hunting gear for a week, with a roof and tongue rack. I tow the snowmobiles with this. All that and it parks easy, is good around town. I needed a reliable rugged vehicle. The rear defroster is out, the fog lights are short circuited, but she starts, clips in 4x4, and everything else works. If WWIII breaks out, this is the vehicle you want.

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  Beautiful rig - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By mikelrb - December 25 - 10:00 am

  We bought our Jeep a year ago. Fell in love with it the moment I saw it. Deep charcoal gray with matching leather interior. Running boards. Some kind of extra grill attachment on the front. It just looked fabulous. A year later, it still does. No other SUV touches the curb appeal of the Grand Cherokee (1999 and beyond style). Comfort when riding? Tops. All the bells and whistles in this model. Its a beauty. On the highway, a joy. Plenty of pop in the 4.7L to pass at whatever speed you need. This gorgeous rig turns heads. It performs. Maintenance is higher than Id anticipated. Overall just love to own and drive it.

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  The best vehicle ever! - 2003 Jeep Wrangler
  By Moneygoose - December 25 - 10:00 am

  Obviously, you buy a Jeep because there is no alternative. No other SUV can match the fun factor that comes with the Jeep Wrangler. Removing the top, part time 4WD, the cool headlights... Not to mention that it can go anywhere. AND, you get to wave at every other person on earth that knows what you know when you drive by them in their Jeep.

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  Gas Milage Grippers - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By Cozz - December 25 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Liberty for a little over a year and its a great SUV. Im really tired of reading all the grips about gas milage. If you want better gas milage you should have bought something else. If you want to improve your milage, use Mobile 1 or a similar synthetic oil. It improve mine by almost 3 GPM on the road. I added a chrome grill and it really makes the front end look a lot better.

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  Best Value Out There for an SUV! - 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Rockinroller - December 25 - 7:03 am

  This is my 2nd G.C. in a couple of years. What a treat to drive! Compared to the foreign bubbles and even Ford and GMs tired designs, the Grand Cherokee has them beat, hands down. Chryslers incentives are the best in the industry. Gas mileage is consistently in the high teens around town and low to mid 20s on the highway. The 6 cylinder engine has great low end torque and doesnt feel like its straining at all, uphill or on acceleration lanes on the freeway.

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  Best choice for the money!!!! - 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Kam - December 25 - 4:26 am

  We love this vehicle. We bought the straight 6 so we avoided a lot of the headaches associated with the 4x4. An SUV that is reliable and fun to drive. I will never own anything but a Jeep from now on. It has pickup when you need it.

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  Great SUV for the PRICE - 2012 Jeep Patriot
  By dan_k1 - December 25 - 3:26 am

  Its only been a week since my purchase but Im loving it all the way. Looked into Nissan Rogue, Kia, Suzuki but after test driving Patriot - I made up my mind right then.

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  Too many problems - 2006 Jeep Commander
  By R Anderson - December 24 - 11:16 am

  I bought this vehicle for its nice size (no to big, no to small) for that it is great, interior is great and very functional for a small family. My problems are mechanical. We have had to replace the main "computer" which was covered by the warranty. Next it was misfiring, they replaced a spark plug but said that we needed to get the fuel injectors cleaned with only 15,000 miles ($300). I had a MB ML500 with 59000 miles, never had to get the fuel injectors cleaned!!!! The wheel well plastic is really loose and the dealership said "we have new ones that are worse then that". Excellent family vehicle, poor quality and even worse customer service, I have reported Jeep but no response from dealer.

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  best value in class - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By colby vanscoy - December 24 - 7:50 am

  I now have 35,000 miles on this Jeep. It gets 17 miles to the gallon on the highway, 15 in the city. Just towed my 20 ft Bayliner to south Florida. It got 14.7 miles to the gallon and I didnt even know it was there. The truck handles great on the road and there are no rattles when on the bad washed out roads. the v8 motor has more power than Chevys or Fords . This is the best truck I have ever owned!