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:

• 

  Jeepers Creepers!! Windows stink!! - 2006 Jeep Liberty
  By Jeepers Creepers !!! - April 24 - 12:53 pm

  The window regulators on the Liberty must have come from a Cracker Jack box! There is NO reason we (as owners) should be replacing these regulators every 6-8 months! Jeep KNOWS there is a problem with the quality of the materials used in the regulators & they need to step up to the plate & make a QUALITY regulator! I think this is a pretty sad ploy to have your vehicle back in to replace these EXPENSIVE regulators so often!

• 

  Last Jeep - 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Warning - April 14 - 11:21 pm

  Check that all of the many factory recalls have been completed. I have had non start issues even though the dealer said they were completed. They cannot find the problem and told me the next time it does not start have it towed to them. I have 41000 miles and it is not covered by factory recalls. I left it for the day recently and paid $140.00 and they could not find why the car wont start intermittently. They did recommend i replace the rear windshield wiper for $36.00? and have an alignment? The car had an alignment recently not at the dealer. This is my fourth Jeep and my last one.

• 

  2009 Jeep Compass Crysler - 2009 Jeep Compass
  By marthah - April 13 - 8:13 am

  after 150 000k; my vehicle kept stalling when it overheated; brought it Crysler service 4x; they could never fix the problem; I do not like it either that I couldnt check my transmission oil; had to bring it to the shop every time; I rate this vehicle close to a 1 I had changed oil every 5000 k; kept it well serviced; it still didnt do the job it should have; I had bought other vehicles from Chrysler; and this is a lemon; I have spoken to to a lot of people who own them and they too have the same problem. They are good for awhile; some go after 10 000 k; motor stopping others like mine go after 100 000. It is too bad; and I did like Chrysler.

• 

  Leaks water - 2007 Jeep Commander
  By R Holland - April 9 - 2:06 am

  Nice car, fun to drive, rough mileage is expected. Main issue is quality control on some models. My Rocky Mountain Edition leaks whenever it rains - fills drivers side foot wells. Has been in three times and not fixed. its a design flaw that needs to be fixed.

• 

  Electrical problems - 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Rob - April 7 - 10:46 am

  Shortly after the 36k mile warranty (37400 miles to be exact) the AC blend doors failed and that will require a $2000 repair; we have also had several electrical problems that come and go. Last week the gauges all started jumping before the key was put into the ignition. None of these problems are covered of course. We really like the looks and how comfortable Grand Cherokee is but the quality is very poor. We have two Mercedes that are of much better quality and Im afraid that this will be our last American designed automobile.

• 

  The non-addresses 2002 liberty engine issue - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By kurivial - April 2 - 10:13 pm

  am reporting review (138141727) (Jeep Engine Failures due to Valve Seats) because My daughter bought a 2002 Jeep Liberty 1 month ago. We changed the oil and I had her check it every two weeks since the vehicle was new to her. She did as I said for a couple weeks and said it used none. She is very diligent at watching her mileage to plan oil changes ever 3000 miles. She went to work and the engine started to knock. She checked the oil and found it 3 quarts low and got no low oil warning. We took it to a shop and it needs a new engine. We found out no reputable salvage yard wants to sell the engine due to a known oil gear issue, so they will not even warranty one with low miles. A rebuilt motor with the oil gear issue fixed costs $3200.00. With labor my daughter is looking at $4500.00 to replace an engine with only 119000 miles. I searched the internet on 2002 Jeep Liberty 3.7 engine. I found many complaints regarding the blown motor. The average seems to be 96000 miles. Many people online said they contacted jeep and they said they were SOL. I dont expect a new engine for nothing, but when the average vehicle today does 250000 miles by most manufacturers and Toyota is at 400000. I would like to see an American company doing everything it can to create customer loyalty. Thank You, Steve

• 

  Looks good - 2008 Jeep Wrangler
  By Harsh - March 25 - 10:20 am

  I traded a 2006 Mercury Mountaineer for this Jeep when it caught my eye at a used dealership. The four door Jeep looks great but its not built as good as it looks. The 3.8-liter V6 is a bit under powered for a SUV especially on interstate as it shifts in and out of overdrive. When the cruse is set it will very 5 mph before it shifts. I find the seats uncomfortable especially the backseats they set up to straight and with no adjustment. There is not enough storage for small things like glasses or change. I have the hard top with removable "T" type tops and the Jeep is fun to drive on a nice day but I think I would take the Mountaineer back in a minute it had more power w/better fuel econ.

• 

  Chrysler quality - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By peaceriver - March 24 - 6:03 am

  We purchased our 2005 Liberty as a lease return with 80km. During a trip to the US we started to notice a howl from the rear diff which got worse as we travelled. no oil leaks evident. since we had purchased an extended warrenty to 120k, the dealership replaced pretty much everything in the housing at 92km. At 115 km the dealership mechanic said that the rear diff needed service, meaning of course the oil needed to be changed. no big deal we thought although it seemed odd that the oil was dirty so soon after a rebuild. At 153k the rear end started to howl again. $2000+ later and most components replaced. Normally a rear diff ought to out last the rest of the vehicle or so we thought.Wrong!

• 

  jeep sucks - 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By misty bridges - March 22 - 6:46 pm

  Do not buy this SUV just had both head gaskets blow 2600.00 and one week later needs new oil pump and drain gaskets another 2500.00 not to mention the 500.00 pink headlight nothing is under warranty !!!!

• 

  disappointed - 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By disappointed - March 15 - 9:33 am

  I have a love/hate relationship with my Jeep. I love the style, comfort, and features. But the reliability of this vehicle is extremely disappointing. I do drive quite a bit, but there have been so many things break on this Jeep that should not go bad. Starters, ball bearings, water pumps, and hoses... I cant afford to keep this Jeep. Its always twice as much to service and fix than anything else.