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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  Good ride and fun for kids - 2007 Jeep Wrangler
  By GG - September 12 - 5:23 am

  Traded in my Tacoma Truck for the Wrangier. Been a good ride so far except for a faulty ground in the first 1000 miles. Once fixed it has been a good ride. Only complaints are the hardtop to softtop instructions are vague. Soft-top is very snug and hard to manuver into closed position. DVD option is the dumbest design and poor planning. Jeep tried to used radio from other vehicles not thinking through the screen concept. Only option is to get built in headrest screen but that isnt practical with soft-top (theft). Great on lake road I live on.

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  Best Jeep Ever - 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Skip - September 10 - 11:43 pm

  Just purchase 2011 grand cherokee limited with 5.7 v8. Dealership was great and the Jeep is even better. Glad that Jeep has found its way back and this model should reestablish the brand as the one to buy. Tested SUVs from lexus, toyota, hyundai, acura, chev, and honda and the Jeep is by far not only the better vehicle but the best value.

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  Sooo happy! - 1998 Jeep Wrangler
  By bigpoppaxxl - September 9 - 2:00 am

  It is a lot of fun but be prepared to pay the piper when going to the gas station or getting your insurance bill.

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  Once I had a Wrangler.....Now a Liberty! - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By KevBSRT - September 9 - 2:00 am

  With a wife and two children, a Wrangler was no longer an option. I love the entire Jeep line. Living in the Northeast, the winters have become colder with more snow than I can remember! The Long Island beaches are tamed by the Libertys 4x4 suspension, 3.7 V6 engine, and 10.1 inch clearance. The interior is more "grown-up" and functional for family life than my 97 Wrangler. Jeep has another winner!

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  Very Satisfied - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By plocke - September 8 - 3:50 pm

  I drive about 80 miles a day to and from work. Even driving 70 MPH to and from work, I average 19 MPG. I have taken it offroad (mostly on hard and soft packed roads) in southern Utah and it performs very well. I wished the rear seats folded flat (as in the PT Cruiser). Only real complaint: lack of cubby holes to store odds and ends. I did replace the tires within 200 miles of new with a slightly larger set.

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  i will always own a cherokee - 1998 Jeep Cherokee
  By builtnotbought - September 7 - 3:58 am

  I have owned a cherokee for 5 years. i paid $2k for it and have invested in a 3in rough country suspension lift and 30in yokohama geolander AT tires. not a hill in arizona i need to go up and havent been able too. ive never had to turn around on a trail. keep in mind jeeps are built not bought. i hear stories of peoples jeep bugging out on them early ill tell you first hand its because the owner did something wrong. 4.0 straight 6 are bullet proof. economic and powerful. from the trail to the road. there will always be a cherokee in my garage even if its not a primary. not enough room to say all the things i want about it. jeep cherokees refuse to die. remember theyre built not bought.

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  Great Deal - 2009 Jeep Compass
  By C. Mays - September 6 - 11:13 am

  I Shopped until I Dropped. I found problems relating to all SUVs and what sold me on the Jeep Compass was the price and the lifetime powertrain limited warranty. MSRP: $19,450.00 Minus: $4500 cash for clunkers Minus: $3500 Chrysler rebate. Minus: $2500 cash back from my dealer. A very nice SUV for around $10,000.00 that rides well, easy to park and is fun to drive.

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  New to Jeep life - 2004 Jeep Wrangler
  By capthowdy - September 4 - 10:00 am

  I love the way this drives on the highway. And it is a lot smoother than the Rubicon on the road. Just would like better gas mileage.

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  great car - 2004 Jeep Wrangler
  By Gillian3409852 - September 4 - 10:00 am

  this is a great car.

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  My first 1100 miles - 2012 Jeep Wrangler
  By albert993 - September 2 - 12:08 pm

  Living in S. Texas, I took delivery of my 2012 Jeep Sahara Unlimited out of a dealership in Roswell, just North of Atlanta, GA during the Labor Day weekend. I was planning on a leisurely trip back through New Orleans but Tropical Storm Lee changed all that. I skirted the storm as close as Baton Rouge and encountered very heavy rain and high winds but my new Jeep took it like a trooper. Between Baton Rough and Lafayette, I even encountered some minor flooding that backed up traffic for over a mile but my trusty new Jeep forded the rising water like a champ. Once leaving Lake Charles, the rains receded and it was off to Houston. Never did I notice even a drop of water penetrate the interior