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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  Best Jeep yet - 2003 Jeep Wrangler
  By raiderdave - July 10 - 6:23 am

  I had a 83 CJ7 that was bulletproof, and was great to drive. My 03 Jeep, is just as reliable and great to drive, with more comforts of my 83. The fuel economy isnt great, but if I wanted that, I wouldve bought a Toyota.

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  Wonderful buy - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By benandnet - July 9 - 7:53 pm

  This Jeep is wonderful - I traded in a honda accord for it because of the extra room but I still needed great gas mileage. I am getting 25 miles to the gallon in this jeep. Interior room is great and the exterior looks really nice. Great buy for my money. I will be holding on to this one for a while. I like the fact that it came in a 4 cylinder - that really helps with the high price of gas today.

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  My first Jeep - 2003 Jeep Wrangler
  By Jason - July 8 - 4:06 pm

  When I was a kid in the 70s my dad had a couple of Jeeps and I have always been a fan. I finally had the opportunity to purchase a new Jeep in 2003. I have had absolutely no buyers remorse. It is my primary vehicle but when ever I have the chance, I take it off road. The first time I took it off road I knew I was getting exactly what I wanted. The first snow fall was the second time I knew I had made the correct purchase. The only problem I have with my Jeep is I have no excuse for missing work during our Pennsylvania winters.

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  Thi CAR SUCKS! - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By dvang - July 8 - 3:48 pm

  This car is a pile of Sh**! I have had so much electrical problems on this car that i dont even know what to do anymore. Spent so much $ at the STEALERSHIP and still has problems. The dealership loves it when you bring your car in. All they do is plug in the scanning device, read the error code, and tell you how much its gonna cost to replace the part. The error code might not even be the main problem. Ive seen it when error codes start changing after you replace the part that it told you to. Then your down $2-3000s and the problems not even fixed. There could be some kind of computer error and its just punching out random codes. JEEP SUCKS and STEALERSHIP SUCKS! DO NOT BUY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Beware of interior LEAKS - 2009 Jeep Patriot
  By spy178 - July 8 - 12:26 pm

  We just picked up our new patriot 09 limited, sun and sound package on 8/5/09 and noticed our 1st leak (water pouring out of the front Dome Light) about 2 weeks later (1st rain storm). Come to find a Recall was issued by Chrysler on 8/7/09 for the same issue. Everything else is great about the jeep, but ive already had to take it in to have the leak issue looked at. Dealer claims to have resolved the issue by clearing a drain in the sun room. Judging by the many online posts on this issue, the same leak or a new one is likely to return. I would suggest that if you are in the market for a new patriot, to at the very least take it through the car wash a couple times on the test drive.

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  Love this Vehicle - 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Gil Otero - July 6 - 11:46 pm

  Gas Mileage should not be a surprise. Wanted the Hemi.

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  Little Jeep that could - 2009 Jeep Patriot
  By ffcat128@aol.com - July 6 - 9:06 pm

  I have had my Patriot for a year now I love it. We have 26 inches of snow this past winter. My husbands Silverado got stuck and he used my jeep to get to work. He said he had no issues and the thing drove through the snow like nothing. I live in Pittsburgh so this thing is tested on pot holes and 12 inches of water on the ground. It has never given me a problem.

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  Go Anywhere - 1993 Jeep Wrangler
  By T-Good - July 6 - 4:43 am

  We bought our 1993 Jeep Wrangler to pull behind our 2007 Winnie Aspect. The really nice thing is we dont have to run any brake system on it. Our RV is rated at a max 20,000 lb GW and we only have a 14,000 lb RV on a Ford 450 Chassis. Hell, dont even know its there when tooling down the interstate. Have a modified military tow bar thats permanently attached to the jeep. Folds up and secured by 2 bungee cords. Hangs in there in the draft of the RV. Only loose 2 MPG of 12.6 MPG so 10 MPG with a 26 foot RV with Wrangler in tow is fine with me. I cut the wiring harness to the rear lights system next to the foot brake and attached a 4 wire trailer hookup. Its that easy. Unplug & plug in the trailer

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  lucky to be alive - 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Max561 - July 6 - 3:23 am

  If you own 2007 Cherokee be very careful. A year ago I turned onto a very busy road and lost all acceleration, with the peddle to the floor all I could get to was 15 mph. I took the Jeep in and they said nothing was wrong and informed me it was most likely bad gas. Apparently this was not the case as it continued to happen almost weekly, and now a year later it happens several times a day. I have had my jeep in service several times for this and they always tell me there is nothing wrong. Someone please give me some advice, I am in a position where I can not sell and I donÂ’t have the money to buy a second car. I feel I am putting myself and other drivers at risk every time I get in my jeep.

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  Jeep - 1998 Jeep Cherokee
  By samwerd - July 6 - 2:00 am

  Fun car. It was in mint condition when I bought it. It still is. Been off roading few times.