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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  First Time & Last Time Jeep Buyer - 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By MMK - March 9 - 6:16 pm

  Look before you leap. If you are in the market for a fun to drive SUV, this jeep offers a smooth ride. However, for the $45k plus, you are better off with choosing a luxury model, so you have something to show for it. While they claim, the seats are leather, they feel and smell like plastic or as some marketing genius dubbed it, leatherette. The backseat is so stiff that you can barely make it around the block without a backache. Same for front seats, no lumbar! Engine revs a lot, between shifting and no one needs to remind you how often you will be handing the gas attendant $50+ to fill er up. Im stuck in a lease, but the good news, I can just hand the keys over and say so long.

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  Greatly Dissappointed - 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Mychel - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I purchase my Jeep new in 2001. I have less than 30,000 miles on it, and since I took possession I have had the suv in the shop 7 times for major problems (same ones over and over). The steering column replaced twice, rotors replaced, fuel pump replaced and best of all it goes into the shop again tommorrow for the same problems. I did my homework and gave the dealership a list of the service bullentins I pulled of the internet the last time when I was told since I was a female I didnt know what I was talking about when explaining my issues. Sounds like since I have a lease, I need to just turn my keys in and let them have the headache.

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  DO NOT BUY THIS CAR! - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By DO NOT BUY THIS CAR! - February 18 - 4:33 pm

  I purchased this car with under 30k miles, 2 weeks after purchasing this car it was having transmission issues, not shifting properly. I have been taking this vehicle into dealerships for almost 3 years now, paying the deductible every time, always for the same problem. since then the transmission has only gotten worse. Popping itself into neutral while driving, cannot use the brakes, needing to pull over to turn the car off to get it to work properly. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! It does not like to shift out of 3rd gear. I have replaced several parts on this car. Today was at a stop and all the lights on the dash lit up, everything dinging, going on and off for no reason.

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  Jeep = (Cheap) Liberty - 2006 Jeep Liberty
  By smknek - February 16 - 8:50 pm

  I purchased this Liberty Using the end of year incentives and Affiliate awards discount, BIG MISTAKE!. I should have dished out some extra $ and purchased a Japanese import. The jeep is seriusly lacking options, It is the most uncomfortable vehiche I have ever owned. It gets only about 15 mpg on avrtage, the best I ever got doing srticly highway was 18 mpg. Tje interior is made from cheap soft plastic that scratches easely with a finger nail, non of the cloth or carpets are protected (Scotchguarded). The paint/clearcoat mares easely just from leaves and bird droppings. The interior is lacking legspace and is poorly designed (lots of wasted space. The exterior pannels hold lots of water

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  Death Trap - 2007 Jeep Commander
  By JAM - February 16 - 3:20 am

  I have read up on reviews online and found that there are many people that are having trouble with their jeep stalling out while on a freeway or driving down a road. This has happened to me 4 times now going 70 mph. We are contacting a lawyer b/c we get nothing but the run around when contacting jeep. We have taken it in and they find nothing. What are we supposed to do? Just take our chances and hope not to stall while someone is tailgaiting on a freeway? I am putting my life at risk every time I get into that death trap. So what do I do..I still owe money so I would have to trade it in but HOW do I in good conscious trade in a car that has almost caused a accident?

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  Unhappy Owner - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Dont Buy IT!!! - February 8 - 10:00 am

  This was my wifes dream truck until we bought it. We have only had it one year, but in that time, weve replaced brakes & rotors twice, replaced the wheel hub assemblies, Had three dealer recalls, the heated seats nor the power mirrors work, the doors lock & unlock while youre driving down the road and now the truck stop sputters when you take off. My wife and I have almost been in three accidents as a result. The truck also lost $5000 dollars in value in one year. This was a BAD INVESTMENT!!!!

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  JEEP SHAME - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By rhino6 - February 7 - 10:43 am

  Lacks power acceleration as a result of hesitation problem. Computer software updated without resolution. Clunking and popping noise from rearend. Excessive engine noise. Transmission shifts are harsh and abrupt at best. Solenoid noise when stopping or shifting the auto select lever. Chrome wheels are cheap plastic.

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  I Hate This Jeep! - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Brandi - February 1 - 4:03 pm

  When I bought this truck, I loved it. Since then it has been one thing after another. It started shaking and I found out that the coil packs had to be changed. That wasnt too bad. But then my heater coils and blower motor had to be replaced. That was quite expensive. I can say that it has never left me on the side of the road. Thats a plus, but I will never buy one again.

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  Crap - 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Jeep4weel - January 21 - 10:00 am

  I have owned 2 1993 grand cherokees. Both had the 5.2 V8. do not get the V8 if it is close to 100,000 miles. both of mine were close to 100,000 when i bought them and both were pieces of junk. They both burned oil. The head gasket on both of them blew. They both lost a ton of power and begun to get horrible gas milage, 8mpg in the city and 12mpg on the highway if i was lucky. Really bad paint jobs too. Both of mine began to have paint chip off of them in nice little sheets. Good looking vehicles, very comfortable to ride in and drive, but get the 4.0 inline 6 engine. It has plenty of power and is an engine that jeep as been using for almost 20 years.

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  It cant be trusted - 2009 Jeep Commander
  By Unhappy Jeep Owner - January 19 - 10:20 pm

  We bought this Jeep in Oct new with 3 miles on it. In Nov we began having problems with the drive train. In a highway passing situation the RPM would red line but the transmission would lose power causing the Jeep to slow. This has happened at least 5 different times. It has been to the dealer every time. Each time they say they cant find the problem and that all the codes are correct. The first time we were told it was still in the break-in period, next they told us to turn off the traction cont but it happened again. Twice this issue has caused a near collision. We have contacted Chrysler and so far have not had any help. We have now gone to the NHTSA. Chrysler has a problem.