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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  The Rubicon That Replaced the Minivan - 2008 Jeep Wrangler
  By Rex Johnson - May 5 - 3:20 am

  We are a family of five and most people with a penchant for traveling and camping would have opted for a Caravan or SUV offering a little more space. We were being pushed towards a Durango, but insisted that we go with the Jeep. We had a Jeep Cherokee in the past and missed her greatly and with the new four-door option, it was a no brainer. We grabbed the 08 Unlimited Rubicon and we are not sorry. After logging over 23,000 km on our Jeep green machine, we are definitely considering it to be a "Ruby". We travel between Ontario and B.C. through all types of weather and this vehicle has saved our skins countless times. With its ESP and 4x4 overkill. It is the ultimate family ride!

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  My 1st new Jeep - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Robert Jarkovich - May 5 - 2:06 am

  This is my 1st Jeep. I have been a Ford Explorer owner. I bought the Jeep because my son has a 2001 and it still looks great after 60,000 miles. I went to look at the Chevy TrailBlazers and just did not like the style or ride. The Ford Explorer unfortunately was not even on my list but probably would have be the SUV I would have purchased. With the Explorer you cant rent a trailer from U-Haul and to spend this kind of money and have that restriction did not make sense.

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  Bullet proof basics. - 1998 Jeep Cherokee
  By Bazoozoo - May 4 - 10:00 am

  Very basic but also very durable. This is one tough vehicle that can take a lot of abuse. If you are like me and just want to get in and drive then this is the ideal vehicle. Expensive European cars know to keep their distance in parking lots and on the highway. Couldnt have asked for anything else but power windows.

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  Married to my Jeep (O|||||O)! - 1995 Jeep Wrangler
  By TurboJeep - May 4 - 10:00 am

  You already know what Im going to say about this work of art; it is just awesome! I ordered it from the factory, waited 3 long months to get it. Fire enjine red with black hard top (have soft one too), 6cyl 4.0 automatic. Would have gotten str8 drive, but I lived in DC at the time and the stop-&- go traffic was bad. My next one will be a stick, but Ill never, and I mean NEVER let this one go. Restoring a late 60s model also. Please, dont refer to your Jeep as a "she". No "she" could be as rugged as my truck.

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  95 Wrangler - 1995 Jeep Wrangler
  By Jon67cj5 - May 4 - 10:00 am

  I love my Jeep and will never part with it. Ranger (my Jeeps name; no girly names for this butch machine) has always served me well. I had an A/C hose leak while under warranty and they made me pay part of the repair, but I negotiated that. Replaced the belt and a headlight, but thats it! It still looks great inside and out. With my chrome package, it gets the stares and people say they cant believe its 7 years old; looks like new! Joncj5(at) yahoo dot com.

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  Love my jeep..... - 1998 Jeep Wrangler
  By jeep guy - May 4 - 10:00 am

  This jeep is perfect for all occassions. I highly recommend the 6 cylinder.... I have no problems driving to the mountains to go skiing. During a recent snow storm (2 1/2 feet in two days) I took the jeep out to play and could NOT get stuck! Off roading is a blast as is highway driving. Ive done three roadtrips of 1400 miles... no problems. The only things I dont like.... everyone likes to break in (soft top) even when theres nothing to take. That and the road noise takes some time getting used to (doesnt bother me anymore).

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  BEST OF THE BEST - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By Angel - May 4 - 10:00 am

  This is the must fun-to-ride vehicle I ever had, either on the sand or mud and of course on-road its behavior is incredible. I use to go off-road every weekend, and its a shame (for the other owners) but I had been paid for towing expensive Cadillacs, fords and others "4X4" SUVs.

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  BEST OF THE BEST - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By angel - May 4 - 10:00 am

  This is the must fun-to-ride vehicle I ever had, either on the sand or mud and of course on-road its behavior is incredible. I use to go off-road every weekend, and its a shame (for the other owners) but I had been paid for towing expensive Cadillacs, fords and others "4X4" SUVs.

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  If you need an SUV, this is it! - 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By JT - May 4 - 8:20 am

  I bought my Jeep as a demo with @ 6000 miles. I have 42,500 miles on it now and its still under warranty until 75,000 or December 2011. Ive been very happy with the comfort and reliability of this Jeep. Very few if any problems. The only thing disheartening is very poor gas mileage. Dont underestimate how much the gas will cost you. Im seriously considering a 2007 BMW 335i series now and by my estimate I will save $100 month on gas, and pay only $15 more on insurance. Its hard for me to ignore. But I must say its hard to think about possible maintenance on the BMW, when this vehicle has been so cost free and will cont. Im hoping the ext warranty will help me to sell.

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  Should have known :( - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By PSU268 - May 4 - 8:16 am

  Ok ... I love(d) my Liberty. I think its decent looking, nice size, nice capabilities, practical for what I want in a vehicle. But lets be honest here... I only got it because it was a cheaper alternative to a Nissan Xterra. I was very happy with it, however, till about 10 months and 22,000 miles into owning it. I have had it in the shop 5 times since then and it still hasnt been fixed. Its turning into a nightmare and I am about to look into the Lemon Law. First it was blowing spark plugs, then it was going through fuel injectors, and now it needs a new head gasket ... with 31,000 miles. What kind of quality is that? And the dealership is giving me the runaround. Thanks Chrysler!