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:

• 

  JEEPY - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By JOY - February 14 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE MY LIBERTY... BUT THE THING THAT LACKS IS THE GAS IT GUZZLES... OTHER THAN THAT... ITS GREAT FOR ME

• 

  My toy - 2007 Jeep Liberty
  By A. Klepp - February 14 - 1:13 am

  I bought my liberty in 08 off the lot its Great in the winter and amazing tow cap pulld an empty tracor trailer up a 30%grade to get him off the road after he got stuck in the snow and was blocking trafic. granted i was in low gear but i dont get out and push any any more. who needs an F150 HEMI when you have a JEEP

• 

  Improvements for Future Years - 2012 Jeep Wrangler
  By oldcoastie74 - February 10 - 11:13 pm

  I have owned my Rubicon Unlimited (automatic) for 33 months and 45000 miles, in Colorado, where snow and OHV roads have tested it. I am still in love with it. My wife, a BMW driver, hates it and refuses to drive it. (Breaking my heart, ha ha.) Only complaints were the transmission cooler (see below) and the leather front seat needed repair. I will likely keep this for 10 more years!

• 

  FLOOD in Nashville! How i got around... - 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Hollisterdude127 - February 10 - 10:26 pm

  I bought the 07 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo v6 about 4 months ago with 20k miles on it. The Jeep is pretty awesome, I am a first time Jeep owner and will probably be a Lifetime Jeep owner after owning this one. I live in Nashville and we just had a horrible flood, this Jeep got me around everywhere I needed to go. I trust it, I love it! I would recommend to anyone considering a smaller SUV. I get about 20.5 mpg city/highway combined.

• 

  poor making - 2007 Jeep Commander
  By tikkjoe - February 10 - 9:58 pm

  i have bought this car from jeep dealer and was told i get about 10 to 14 a gallon first 2 weeks i got about that then on display i seen at first 250 miles to empty now on a full tank 17 gallons i see 151 miles to a gallon and doing 65 on highway i get 11 miles to a gallon and dealers say thats about right [non-permissible content removed].

• 

  2008 Jeep Libert = My THIRD JEEEP - 2008 Jeep Liberty
  By Richard Harrison - February 10 - 12:23 am

  I read a lot of these reviews and find that some people should write on their maintenance reliability. If you take care of the vehicle as stated in the Manual, most Vehicles will go well beyond their manufactures warranties. My first 1986 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, had 135,000 miles on it when I got it. I sold it with 280,000 miles on it. My 2nd 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee I still own and its got 336,000 on it. This Jeep Liberty was very SUPRISING comfortable. Slips in 2 wheel drive too easily on wet pavement. However switch to 4x4 and no issues. Mileage I would have figured would have been better then my 96 Jeep but it was about the same.

• 

  1st Jeep - 2009 Jeep Patriot
  By GJM - February 9 - 10:36 pm

  I have put 4500 miles on this rig in 6 weeks. I had an AWD Subie that I put 157,000 miles on in 4 years. This is roomy, fun to drive and will go through ice and snow easy enough. I am getting anywhere between 22-28MPG depending on whether or not it is 4 wheel drive or city driving. I bought this because I could not find a 4x4/awd for less money. I plan on keeping it for 30,000 miles. If it holds up I will buy another one with options. If I have any issues, I buy another forester.

• 

  98 Grand Cherokee is grrreeat! - 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By call me a jeep guy. - February 9 - 1:36 pm

  Well, I have owned this vehicle for a little over a year it has been wonderful. I have had little to no problems. It is essential for driving in snow. Particularly in the wondrous Rockys in Aspen, Colorado. I would also say any logical person after some dope in snowy conditions would be perfectly fine traveling in the up coming snow shower. (not even a snow storm(lots of emphasis on shower)).

• 

  Used 1999 Limited Grand - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Phil Ferguson 100 - February 8 - 2:00 am

  Great value SUV. Brought it used in 03,a local lady had owned it. Perfect condition and paid 2/5 of original cost, with 60k mileage. A bit boxy, stiff ride, some drive train noise comes through in the 1999 edition. Great in the Wyoming winters, outdoors, off-road. Nice highway use, but still an SUV in terms of a highway feel. We put Waag grill/tail light guards on it and it looks tough. Great package for the money!

• 

  Hemi Limited Quadra Drive II Rocks! - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Karl - February 6 - 2:36 pm

  Ive owned several SUVs and this one has been reliable, luxurious, capable of handling off road trips, and fast. I like the clean lines, simplicity of the controls/switches, and the leather interior is nice and the seats are very comfortable. The 5.7L Hemi is a rocket and the 4wd Quadra Drive system handles snow, ice, rain, mud, and off- roading/camping with ease. My only wish is for better gas mileage, as I get 15mpg in the city and only 18mpg on the hwy at 75mph. Ive not had a single problem with this Jeep and would buy again. It has a 7yr/70k powertrain warranty, so Ill keep it at least that long--not anticipating any problems with regular maintenance. Id recommend this vehicle.