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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  Lemon - 2010 Jeep Liberty
  By firstb - December 11 - 10:00 am

  Bought the Liberty, in Sept and its been in the shop 8 times since then. The speed sensors were replaced, gauge cluster, both sets of keys and key fobs. The the alarm keeps going off because the key fobs dont work, the eco light is off and wont come back on, the mileage wont read on the gauge cluster it just says no fuse, the abs, traction control and service engine light keeps coming on still. This is my 3rd Liberty never had a problem before, but come on this one has 2100 miles (most of it from driving from MI to NC 1,109 miles)on it and Chrysler has done nothing to make it better, not even a loaner car they just tell me to bring it to my local dealership. So buyer beware of the Lemon!

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  Good overall experience - 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By jim98vette - December 10 - 10:20 am

  Ive owned this Jeep for about 5 years now and have put about 40,000 miles on it. Total mileage now 110,000. Total upkeep expenses approx $4500 including batteries twice. I think $75 a month upkeep is not bad considering all. The strong points with my Jeep are the Engine and Drive Train. Weak points electronics. I can attribute even the electronics problems to wear and tear though.

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  my new 2014 Grand Cherokee Summit - 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By golden20 - December 9 - 12:29 am

  My lease on a 2011 Mercedes E-350 four matic was expiring & I drove ALL the high end suvs, & NOTHING comes close to my Summit!! The Mercedes M class seats are a pain to put down, expensive for gas & insurance, the Audi dont give a decent lease payment, same for the BMW X-5. A lot of suvs also dont have avail the active headlights, which are awesome!!I have had no problems with anything, gas mileage is about 19 city & 25 highway. A really fab vehicle!!

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  More Then We Expected - 2007 Jeep Commander
  By OurJeepLife - December 8 - 5:33 pm

  If the 2010 Commander is anything like our 2007 Commander. Persons buying this for the first time will be very surprised as we were. The over all comfort (moving from a 99 Wrangler to the Commander) is very adequate and the space is ample. The trips are ready and the items packed.. Dont be surprised if you see us hitting the road in our Commander very soon.

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  Jeep - 1995 Jeep Wrangler
  By Dan - December 8 - 10:16 am

  Very reliable and fun to drive. Great for summer and winter driving. I have never had a major problem. Jeeps are easy to work on and maintain.

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  Worst car Ive ever owned! - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By eots44 - December 7 - 4:49 am

  I bought mine new and five years later the engine blew up and after a new engine the transmission went. It was beyond repair and now just sits in my driveway rotting away. It is also extremely uncomfortable, I didnt want it to begin with but I was suckered into it. Never will I buy another Jeep product in my life, they are so unreliable and are listed for the worst quality amung cars. Replaced it with a 2004 Cadillac Cts, also bought new, and now nine years later and about 185,000 miles no problems and still rides like new. I knew I should have just stuck with General Motors.

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  Reliable - 1997 Jeep Wrangler
  By Capt Mike - December 7 - 2:00 am

  Over 133,000 miles in six years. Got me to work everyday and six weeks vacations every year to Belize, New Mexico deserts and Texas hill country. I will drive nothing else, just Jeeps.

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  `99 Grand 4X4 Great Truck - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By clarkecars - December 7 - 2:00 am

  This Jeep pulls a 23 ft salt water fishing boat to the gulf and east coast twice a year. It has always performed extremely well. Plenty of torgue for towing and very reliable. The GoodYear Wranglers that came on it sucked and even w/rotation wore out at 32000 miles (or so). Ill buy another Jeep when ready. This is Jeep number 5. My first was a 4.0 litre Comanche pickup, then two Cherokee 4X4s and two Grands. You can have your wanna be Japanese SUVs Ill take the one I rely on for power at a reasonable price - Jeep!

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  rubicon - 2004 Jeep Wrangler
  By sergio oliva - December 7 - 2:00 am

  this car is fun to drive

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  Awesome Auto - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By snowbelter - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I have the Columbia edition which looks as rugged as a renegade (without the cheese) but is equipped more like a limited, & I have to say I think its an exceptional value. Ride, performance, handling & styling are all first class & the build quality is markedly superior to some previous Jeep offerings. The only real flaw is the gas mileage - but hey, keeps me inside my lease mileage right? Overall, I tried out the main competitors and for me this is by far the finest combination of price and capability in the price range.