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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  Fun Fun - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By jpichicago - March 14 - 10:00 am

  We bought the car a few days before an 800 mile trip and didnt have a chance to break in the car before leaving. It performed like a champ. I arrived feeling rested and without body aches! Aside from routine maintenance and a recall to tighten up the suspension system (Jeep was very accomodating while dealing with the recall issue), the car has been great. Wed buy another!

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  Used Jeep review - 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Allen - March 14 - 1:10 am

  I just purchased my 08 Jeep. I had a 98 Accord with near 200000 miles and with a family started needed something bigger and newer. I found my 08 Jeep marked down to a very affordable price and made the choice over many others cars and SUVs were were looking at. My Jeep is about as basic as they come, but I was not looking for top of the line nor could I afford it. The only thing I can saw 100% I wish I had was better fuel economy, but I knew what I was getting when I got an SUV. I think the cruise control should be back on the steering wheel, or wheel mounted radio controls should be on all models. I wish I had the roof rack. I probably wouldnt use it, but it adds to the look.

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  This Jeep left me wanting a car! - 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By AMarshall - March 13 - 3:50 am

  I bought this vehicle in 2006 with 40,000 miles on it. Still looked and drove like a new vehicle for the first year and my husband is a fanatic about regular maintenance and upkeep. On four different occasions, this Jeep just quit with no warning and I had to have it towed to a garage. Four garages and six well-established mechanics and they still never found the problem. They all say its something electrical (perhaps a short) that they cannot find--even with diagnostic tools. Now, the cooling fan went out (another electric issue) and I cant drive it less than 20 mph without it overheating. BOTH front automatic window mechanism have also busted and had to be replaced at $300 each.

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  Very Impressed! - 2009 Jeep Liberty
  By DayTriper - March 12 - 10:06 am

  All the way around, a perfect vehicle.I have an 1hr commute each way, so comfort and low noise was important to me. My sights were set on the Commander..but the price was high. I wanted professional yet sleek and I wanted the Skys the Limit package with an affordable payment. The Sirius/Nav touch screen plays SAT/AM/FM/CD/DVD..heated leather bucket seats, you warm up,transfer files to an internal 4GB HDD and then press UConnect and call home..its outstanding! I am still texting my bf..which btw..when I said I was getting the Liberty he laughed at me..Well the 2009 Liberty has two Driver memory profiles which stores seat and mirror settings..guess who just entered his Driver 2 setting??

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  JEEPS RULE - 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Jeep8511 - March 12 - 10:00 am

  great all around SUV

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  Well Built? - 2006 Jeep Liberty
  By Disappointed - March 12 - 1:10 am

  Since buying the Jeep Liberty, Ive enjoyed certain qualities of the vehicle and have cringed at others. The engine is unrefined and sluggish when accelerating. Sometimes when accelerating, if I hit a bump in the road...the car feels like it hits a dead zone and misses. Very bizarre? As an off-road vehicle its great but the poor interior design, annoying squeaks from the dash and caveman engine, its really not an overall good experience. I purchase the vehicle for the wrong reasons which at the time was off-road capability and looks. Both of those qualities hold up over the time Ive owned the Jeep (3 years), but the poor fit & finish, squeaks and overall cheap build is disappointing.

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  Jeep Wrangler- the most fun on 4 wheels! - 2006 Jeep Wrangler
  By Scott Mann - March 11 - 9:56 pm

  First Jeep. Love it. It can go anywhere and I can enjoy it topless or top up. Can carry, tow, whatever. Dont have to worry about it like i have had to do with my other convertibles and sports cars. Resale is predicted to be strong. Relative to other cars ive been buying the recent years, the fun-to-dollar ratio is very high! Im so glad that finally after many years of wanting one, I finally got one and have not been disappointed. Seating comfort is excellent (and i have had back surgery and have bone spurs now). Ride quality far exceeds my expectation. And ease of use is high. I love the in-line six which is why i opted for used over new.

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  grand cherokee - 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By sfair2211 - March 11 - 7:00 pm

  this is my third jeep and i have loved everything about them except the windshield. it is so hard to keep it from staying greasy which is a hazard in rainy weather. the other thing (that passengers complain about) is the rocking from side to side it does on rough pavement.

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  J.E.E.P- Just. Empty. Every. Pocket! - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By Elissa B. - March 11 - 2:31 pm

  This is the first jeep I have ever owned. Purchased it 3 years ago used with 43,000 miles on it. I purchased it for $6000 and thats because it had been my brothers and he was buying new car. He had only had it for 2 years and all problems seemed to have started once it became mine, go figure! It has been in the shop more than ANY other vehicle I have ever owned. Over $3000 worth of repairs thus far. I have had front end work done multiple times, ball joints tie rods etc... throttle control problems, power steering pump problems and so many more that out of sheer frustration at the moment I cant even remember the rest! I have been told that framework on rear end is completely shot. Rusted out and unsafe to drive. I live in upstate NY and am use to driving in horrible winter conditions and because of frame problems I have handling issues and slide all over the place on roads with even the tiniest amount of snow on them while going 20mph!! From my research, all of these problems are typical of this vehicle and it looks like the most expensive fix is going to be the current framework problem. DO NOT BUY THIS CAR!!!! Dont be as stupid as I was!!!!!! In the shop more than the road, total money pit!

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  Good Reliable All-Purpose vehicle - 1996 Jeep Cherokee
  By Arthur D - March 11 - 10:46 am

  Had vehicle over 7 years. Hauls everything from hay to infants. Have driven through swamps, & snow covered roads other vehicles couldnt. Plenty of room to haul tools, supplies, and kids gear. Rear seat does not have a lot of legroom for adults so not recommended for long trips with 4 adults, but fine with kids. Get 20 MPG. Low maintenance bills. No major problems. A little noisy/bumpy on the highway compared to new vehicles, but it really drives well in the bad weather. This Jeep has driven: dates in college, buddies, friends going fishing, dogs, tools, clients, building materials, canoes, the bride and groom, babies, toddlers, and gear in all types of weather. A good all-purpose vehicle.