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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  Awesome!!! - 2012 Jeep Wrangler
  By mickeytom - September 15 - 1:15 am

  My husband & I have had Jeep Wranglers in the past but, have had to trade them in for bigger vehicles when our kids couldnt fit anymore :) Well, they are grown & gone now & we decided to buy the 2012 Jeep Wrangerl WOW!! We both love it! The interior is beautiful! The ride is very quite & really comfortable! We will be keeping this one for a long, long time!

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  Love the car if not in shop - 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Corey - September 14 - 8:06 pm

  I love the performance of this car and it drives great but it has a lot of mechanical problems. I have had the car in the shop 7 times in the first year and a half. I have had two sets of driveshafts go bad. The air bag light keeps going on and the service brake light does the same thing; lots of rattles and it has never been off road.

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  Liberty Sport 6 cyl. of off road fun. - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By jermac - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Excellent off road vehicle.I drive it at least twice a week on the beach.It handle well and nothing slows it down.It is a BLAST to drive.The jeep also handles well in the snow and heavy rain.I would reccomend it to anyone who plans on using the vehicle for occasional serious off road use.I have driven other small SUVs off road and their is no comparision.

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  DONT BUY THE JEEP LIBERTY - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By PATTI PATTERSON - September 13 - 2:00 am

  MULTIPLE BRAKE PROBLEMS, SEVERE GRINDING AND CLUNKING NOISES. IN AND OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM. SEVERAL DEALERSHIP VISITS "COULD NOT REPEAT NOISE". ENTIRE BRAKES REPLACED TWICE. NOW A STB HAS STATED THAT A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM WILL NECESSITATE ROTOR REPLACEMENT, WHEN THE PARTS COME IN, HA! ALSO, HAD THE TRANSMISSION SEAL REPLACED. I HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE BALL JOINT RECALL, BUT I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM JEEP CONCERNING THIS MATTER.

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  Shoddy Chic! Cute w/ Constant Problems - 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By katherine - September 12 - 6:00 pm

  Completely fed up. Bought this with 31K miles in July 05; nothing negative in CarFax. Was out of town 3 months so have only driven it 5 months yet Ive had to take it for service 9(!) times now: multi cylinder misfires (twice), valve over carbonization (twice), oxygen sensor failed/replaced, fuel line leaked, tensioner pulley fell out of engine (!) and replaced, pass-side window collapsed plus needed several parts replaced, and a few generic engine malfunctions. Unbelievable. Was there NO quality control? Only 35K miles now - should NOT be like this. I hate my car.

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  Im Sold! - 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Look out Toyota! - September 12 - 3:26 am

  I compared a lot of SUVs- especially the Toyota Venzas and Highlanders. Both are a joke content wise and price wise compared to the new Jeep. I was going through the motor mall and saw this Jeep parked out front. It did not take too long for me to drive it home. The interior is utterly amazing- I am still trying to figure out all the gadgets it has- none that were even offered by Toyota. The interior blows Toyotas and Lexus out of the water. The car is so quiet, I have to look at the tach to make sure the engine is running. If this is what Chrysler is going to offer from here on out in the rest of their new cars, the company will not only survive, but thrive!

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  An off-road beast - 2000 Jeep Cherokee
  By Billy Elliott - September 11 - 10:00 am

  I tend to drive my trucks hard with lots of off-road time, but the Cherokee has never failed me.

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  jasons wrangler - 1997 Jeep Wrangler
  By primo - September 11 - 10:00 am

  the vehicle runs great. I have taken it off roading several times with great fun and no problems. the transfer case has been replaced. Ive added larger tires and recently replaced the front brakes. the front right fender was bent when I purchased the vehicle and started to rust, I removed the rust and touched up the paint. the top and doors come off easy and in just a few minutes. It is great for drivingin he summer and has a good sound system. rides smoother and quieter than the older jeeps.

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  All-Kinds OFun! - 2001 Jeep Wrangler
  By Roc Ingersol - September 11 - 10:00 am

  This is a great toy... NOT a commuter vehicle – if you want to commute, get a Diesel Golf or a used Audi A4, same money either way. Gas mileage is not good in any condition, but who cares if it is a toy. Take it on or off road, this Jeep is VERY capable right off the showroom floor.

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  Second JGC - 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By BPG - September 11 - 10:00 am

  This is my second JGC. My first a 96 limited. I traded it in for a 02 larado sport after 116,000 no problem miles. I got the 4.0 6 to save on gas and found I did not need all the stuff on the limited. So far a good move on my part. My mpg is better and so is the ride. The leather seats are better but do not adj as much. After 1,000 mi break in I toook it off road(dirt road w/washbord) and found the select track more fun than the all the time four wheel dtive I had before.