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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  Solid car, happy buyer & owner - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By hshah - February 28 - 8:36 pm

  At 5k miles and glad I went with the Grand. I had also looked the 4Runner and the Pathfinder and had made the decision to go Nissan until Jeep offered incentives that brought the Ltd. Grand with V8 in cheaper than the high end Nissan. Overall, Im very happy with the car. Its a pleasure to drive. Though somewhat boat like at times in its billowy suspension response, thats a plus for me though as this is going to be a baby hauler. Soft=good. The MDS system is seamless but hasnt had as much of impact on MPG as advertised and can be stingy to give back the V8 when in a pinch to accelerate. Interior is plush & comfortable and gets an undeserved bad rap in reviews.

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  great vehicle - 1996 Jeep Cherokee
  By apartin - February 28 - 2:00 am

  My Jeep is a 96 Cherokee Country. I bought it in 97 when it had only 8,000 miles on it. Basically, Ive driven the heck out of it. Its got over 112,000 miles on it now, but is still going strong! No major mechanical repairs. It has been a very dependable vehicle.

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  Premature Failures - 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By C. Bond - February 28 - 2:00 am

  33000 miles- The fuel pump failed. 35000 miles- The power steering pump failed. 46000 miles the sway bar disconnected. 52000 miles the IPS sensor failed. 70000 miles the tramsmision pump and torque converter failed. The remote control memory, door locks, power mirrors and seat controls have failed roughly 4 times. What really got me is when the repair facility was familiar with the failure mode each time. You mean its normal to loose a fuel pump at 33,000 miles? Oh, and the "certified" service department local to me is a joke. 3 transmission repairs, and 2 of them returned a vehicle with loose transfer case bolts?

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  Awsome Sahara - 2003 Jeep Wrangler
  By jeepnmandan - February 28 - 2:00 am

  WOW! This is the best snow plowing, rock crawing, mud machine! NEVER been stuck with all the snow and ice. I am one of the first to show up at the office during snow storms. The Wrangler is NOT a huge SUV so it fits in my little garage, that my big old truck would not, so its warm seats and no ice or snow to scrap off in the morning. Just open the garage door and plow thru! Keep-Jeep-n

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  Great Beach Maching - 2003 Jeep Wrangler
  By Tim Pleasent - February 28 - 2:00 am

  Dude - Girls in swimwear - in my jeep with the top down - 4wd at the NC outerbanks sand - under the moonlight - this is Heaven! No other SUV can give you this experience. I have to pull out other 4wd truck and small SUVs from the sand with my mighty jeep. I am the super dude on the beach with my jeep with tow hooks! I plan to live at the NC beach all summer!

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  So So - 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Glenn Scott - February 27 - 8:33 pm

  I have always been a Toyota fan. I still am. This vehicle just didnt measure up. By the time I had 100K on it things were literally falling apart. The engine has been no problem to 150K. But the brakes are a Joke. They thump about 2K after having them done. I have had them done about 12 times. The tranny signed off at 105K and the ball joints and front end were all done at 115K. It did get a solid 20 MPG and the seats never wore or tore so I guess not all bad. My last 4 Runner got retired at 280K original tranny and ball joints. Oh yeah, I had the brakes done about 5 times and they never ever thumped!

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  my 2nd Jeep - 2008 Jeep Wrangler
  By jane the greek - February 27 - 6:30 pm

  I am pretty content with this 4 door box. I also have a 2 door 99 Cherokee se that has the in line six. That Cherokee has 150k on it and still runs like a champ! It also influenced my decision on purchasing this new one i got. Its just awesome off the road.

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  Commander - 2007 Jeep Commander
  By j. byrd - February 27 - 1:10 pm

  We bought our Commander late one afternoon. It had a cool look to it and a third row seat. Which needs to be ditched..you cant see out the back window but through an 11x14 space. The main thing that I hate about the car is the canvas seats that, we were told were stain resistant and water resistant..wrong! My seats are horrible looking and I now have camo seat covers on the back seats because I am embarrassed for the way they look. The windshield whistles when you get past 60 mph. There is no leg room in the front. If I turn the corner hard enough the tires screech. Its been in the shop 2x for power steering failure, in the middle of driving, 6 more months on our lease, PTL.

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  Poor suspension - 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By driver109 - February 27 - 12:31 pm

  Purchased a Jeep Overland only to find that the suspension produces a very loud bang noise upon recoil when going over a pothole or bump. This is on all 4 wheels and Chrysler and the Dealership acknowledge the issue in both 2011 and 2012 models and say its a characterisitic of the vehicle. Can you believe that? This is supposed to be a vehicle that can take you anywhere. Chrysler acknowledges the problem but wont fix it. See for yourself...take one for a test drive and go over a speed bump or ride off a curb...its simply shocking!!!!! Dont buy one...

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  14 Years, 160,000 Miles and Still Love It - 2000 Jeep Wrangler
  By mbb624 - February 27 - 11:26 am

  This site is full of people complaining about their ride, so I thought Id put the good word in on my trusty Jeep. Its the ultimate "do everything" ride. Well-behaved except with high winds, great in the snow or marginal conditions, getting to hiking trails on crap roads. I take care of my vehicles and this Jeep has paid be back with outstanding reliability. Its not the most comfortable, nor very quiet but thats not why you buy a Wrangler!