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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  Old Faithful - 2000 Jeep Cherokee
  By ScottR - January 26 - 4:23 am

  I got my Cherokee brand new in 2000, and upgraded to a Wrangler in 2008, 120K miles later. I still have the old Jeep and use it for Home Depot runs and driving in the snow when my wife is using the Wrangler. I beat the heck out of it in the first few years, and honestly didnt maintain it too well. But its a workhorse; except for brakes, tires, fluids and filters, it still has 100% original parts, has never left me stranded and to this day the engine starts right up on the hottest and coldest days, and the drive train still performs like new. Those I-6 engines have to be the best-built engines around -- I wish they still put them in the Wranglers.

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  Proud Owner Of A Rock Solid 2002 JCG - 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By ferrisbueller609 - January 24 - 10:53 am

  I am the original owner of a 2002 JGC Laredo I6/RWD with very little extras and I cant praise this vehicle enough. Now has 105k miles and no major problems to report. Did have the passenger window motor fail and the A/C had to be replaced last summer. I have used Mobil 1 synthetic on all oil changes since 1000 miles and the engine is still strong. Over 8 years, I have AVERAGED 18.5 MPG and get 23 easily on the highway at 70 MPH. From reading the reviews, it seems that my results are not typical, but I do take great care in driving and maintaining my mighty JGC. The exterior styling is classic, the interior is functional and comfortable and even without 4WD it handles the snow like a champ!

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  I LOVE MY LIBERTY - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By tracy Palka - January 23 - 10:00 am

  I love my Jeep Liberty. It is fun to drive and handles really well.

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  Kind of small - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By msmacky - January 23 - 10:00 am

  Loved the look of this suv. Handles great, good power. A/C very cold and 6- CD player is great. 4 WD works good. No complaints until using back cargo area. Folding seats dont go flat so things tumble toward back. Have to put front seats all the way up to fold down back seats. Not alot of leg room in driver seat. Window controls a pain in middle- always reaching toward door. Loud street noise when windows are down. Drinks up the gas fast!

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  great SUV - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By Al - January 23 - 3:43 am

  Real solid SUV ride you can feel the quality of Jeep reputation. Interior is comfortable and classy. Got me out of a lot of snow clogged spaces.

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  Finally got my Jeep - 2008 Jeep Wrangler
  By rapsoda65 - January 22 - 9:53 pm

  Wanted a Jeep CJ back in the day, got married and never got one. Now shes gone and I got my Jeep. Most fun Ive ever had in a car. 2 weeks ago took it out with the top down for the first time, cant wait for summer. Comfy ride for a Jeep. Handles better than I expected for an SUV, and this is not my first SUV. Gas mileage is about what EPA rating says it is. Looks good outside and in, but interior needs a little work. Odd placement of window cranks and center dash console has too sharp an edge at the drivers knee. Center arm rest could be higher. Seating position and seats are comfortable.

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  solid 4x4 - 2001 Jeep Wrangler
  By twilliams - January 22 - 1:13 am

  Bought mine new w/only ac. Put 2"lift on & 32" tires. This gave much better handling due to 15% stiffer spring rate. 2.5l sucks gas but is heavy 4x4 for its size. If you put larger tires on u must change the axle diff. Ratios. This will give you better performance, better mileage, and less strain on drivetrain. For a 4 cyl. I was amazed at what it would do off road w/open diffs. Granted I was running 4:56 ratio in axles but still, this vehicle truly shines off road. It has the best turning radius of any vehicle I have owned. Sold it @ 58,000 miles and never had a problem with it- off roading and all. Plus, it has the highest resale value - period. Beats them all.

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  Sky slider from h*ll - 2008 Jeep Liberty
  By CDigby - January 20 - 10:36 am

  Bought my Jeep Liberty Dec. 2007 when sky slider had had just come out and I knew I had to have one! Only one on the lot was fully loaded and I paid almost $35k. Since I bought it Ive brought it to the dealership at least 7 times for problems with the Sky Slider LEAKING! Each time they say they dont know why its doing that and each time they tell me its fixed when I leave but now Im continuing to have problems with it leaking! Now that it has permanently ruined my interior roof cloth I am going to pursue Chrysler to take this nightmare of a car back because this was the biggest waste of money to have to worry every time it rains how wet the interior will get!

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  Nice Fun Buy - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By blacksan - January 19 - 2:00 am

  Flew Up to Maryland, Picked it up, Drove it back to Georgia. Went through 5:00pm D.C. Traffic, Cut Throat Mall Parking, Sloppy Highway Construction, Bored Trucked Drivers, High Speed swarm of Crotch-Rockets. and Muddy Virgina Gas Stations. To Sum it up, I LOVED it. The Renegade drives nice in all types of weather. Slammed on breaks a lot due to the non-jeep drivers not paying attention. The Normal 12 hours trip took over 23.5 hours because I was having fun. I would recommend ANYONE who thinks that a 2003 Toyota RAV4 is a better Buy should try out any Renegade. It feels safe, it feels heavy not plastic, and the seats are high off the ground.

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  New to Jeep - 2007 Jeep Wrangler
  By max - January 18 - 1:13 pm

  I love it! Fun, comfortable, enough power, sits high, rough and tough, a real head turner ( cant keep people away, they want to look at it, lots of great comments). I love the simplicity of the interior, easy to use, big dials, big door handles. Men love it and so do women. One women told me it was a chick magnet and a client told me it was classy, a stranger told me it was nicer than a Hummer ( I agree, cheaper too!). Remember this is a Jeep not a sports car or Luxury Liner. You get a Jeep with lots of good frills. I love it!