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 best suv ever - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By fapdaddy - November 5 - 2:00 am

  i have never had a problem with my jeeps. I have owned them for the last 30 years. It can handle any situation that you offer it. The engine runs great and the interior is comfortable.I love my jeep!

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  Great inexpensive truck - 1999 Jeep Cherokee
  By cherokee - November 4 - 10:00 am

  I always liked Jeeps and I think Cherokee is the best of the breed. It looks like a Jeep and drives like a Jeep and the pickup of I-6 is awesome. Very basic truck but does everything you need and you can buy it very cheap. If you are into outdoors and sports and dont want to spend a lot of $$ this is the best thing.

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  Dans view of the Jeep GC - 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Dan Constantinide - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Generally, this is a good, reliable automobile. Over 96000 miles with no reliability problems. The transmission shift points are questionable. One odd experience that cost me 800 dollars involved a front drive shaft that all of a sudden developed a leaky joint because it was too short. This happened after replacing the front diff yoke and the corresponding seal (the latter several times). Of course, nobody owned up to any wrong doing or design issues.

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  Beware of A/C - 2002 Jeep Wrangler
  By Dante - November 4 - 10:00 am

  I love, well...loved, my Jeep. I was everything I had hoped it would be. Mileage isnt great, but the fun factor more than compensates for such pour economy. Nonetheless, I have only had it a little more than 3 months, and it has already been to the shop 5 times for A/C issues. In fact, now I have bubbling interior paint and moldy carpet thanks to moisture from the A/C getting dribbled inside. And I know two other folks with the same issues.

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  Whew - feelin lucky! - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Ray Bennett - November 4 - 10:00 am

  My 2000 Laredo 4WD must have been built weeks or months after the ones that most of the reviewers here seem to have gotten. Were at 57,000 miles; live in north-central PA, where we get all 4 seasons. On our second set of brakes. Vehicle does local and long-haul equally well; on and off-road equally well. My daughter recently t-boned someone with it, and after repairs, you cant tell. I was bounced off of the guardrails a week ago at 75, and again, you can barely tell. It, like the 93 Laredo 4WD I bought with 90k miles on it 4 years ago, is a tank. The 93 has 165k miles and just goes. Id probably get another one.

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  Marred by atiquated technology - 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By VectorW8t - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Probablly the best domestic mid sized SUV on the market. Unfortunetly Jeep conintues to utilize antiquated motor designs poor quality single caliper brakes that are too small for the truck. Even the transmission "bangs" into reverse or drive every time its engaged. Fit and finish is fine and the interior is much more comfortable than most imported SUVs. The stereo system is supurb. But Id much rather have the ability to brake and change gears than the added creature comforts Jeep adds. Replaced the front brake rotors at only 7k miles.

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  I love my Liberty! - 2006 Jeep Liberty
  By Ashley - November 4 - 6:20 am

  I bought the my Jeep in 06/08 it has been nothing but great to me. It has 29K miles on it when I bought it and has not given us one problem. It drives great, handles great, looks great, and for an SUV gets great gas mileage. I run in to people who have Libertys all the time at the lake and they love theirs as well! Does great for pulling the jet skis and my husband loves it as well. We actually fight over who gets to drive it.

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  1997 - a Good Year - 1997 Jeep Cherokee
  By Susan - November 3 - 9:06 pm

  I bought my 1997 Jeep Cherokee new in 1997. It has a straight six engine, manual transmission - no frills. What a workhorse - It has well over 200,000 miles and all it has ever needed were oil changes, tires and windshield wipers. It doesnt get any better than this. When the engine goes I may get it rebuilt since the straight six is easy to rebuild.

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  Love the 05 Jeep! - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By kmsims - November 3 - 5:10 am

  I love this truck! It is really fun to drive. The ride is smooth and quiet, and I like the new styling. This is my first jeep; we test drove 05 Explorer, and were not impressed with the sound in the cabin, and the lack of get up and go in the vehicle. Also, the safety of the Jeep is what really sold us. Love the new jeep!

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  Jeep SRT - eats German luxury SUVs for lunch! - 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By need_for_speed - November 1 - 2:18 pm

  I laugh when some claim a Porsche Cayenne or BMW X5 M are better or are in a different class. I originally was looking at an X3 M-Sport, but couldnt swallow spending almost 60K for an X3. I also considered the Audi SQ5, a used X5M. And I couldnt stand the snobby dealers with their nose in the air. I eventually ran into the Jeep SRT. Not only is it the most appealing of the luxury SUVs, the new interior for 2014 was bar none the best. Perhaps Audi and BMW can take a lesson from this. And it is FAST! I love that its only marginally slower than a Cayenne Turbo S that costs more than 2X! I DID 0-60 in 4.3 SEC! You decide if thats slow! Love the SRT and looking forward to many years!