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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  UGH that is all I can say - 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By ConvertedJeephater - December 15 - 12:46 pm

  WE purchased a "managers model" 2006 Jeep G Cherokee Laredo (managers special, I.e. the loaner when the cars get fixed) Well number one, we were sworn to that the car wasnt smoked in, but sure enough when it was warm enough outside to open the windows, the window trim had cigarette burns in it (couldnt see them when it was closed) It then went in 3 times for check engine light but no one could tell me why. It rattles and almost stalls at stop lights.(told this was normal in this model) Car seats with latch cant be installed properly because of fixed head rests. AWFUL blind spots, and now the Air conditioner blower motor went...I have only owned Jeeps, I am on number 6 now, never again

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  Fun, but NOT as a primary car - 1999 Jeep Wrangler
  By Jeep Buddy - December 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Jeep new four years ago and have had a lot of time to think about it. Its basically a good car; its fun taking the top off, its been reliable, it looks good and girls like it. BUT: its noisy, the ride is punishing, it uses gas like a Winnebego yet its so underpowered you can plant flowers on the side of the road as you steam away from a stop light and it is, for all intents and purposes, a two- seater with very little luggage space. As an auxilliary, around-town car you cant beat it, but its NOT made for driving every day, or for routinely driving trips longer than 25 miles or so.

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  junk - 2001 Jeep Cherokee
  By Jason - December 14 - 6:36 pm

  I just got this jeep and let me tell you it stinks! No power no good off road capabilities. Worst of all no room. I have a family of 4 and none of us are liking it. Im going back to my chevy Avalanch more room, power and better fuel milage.

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  Get what you pay for - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By Cullen - December 14 - 11:23 am

  Its a nice affordable SUV for a first time car buyer. It does lack a little of the "vroom" factor, but makes up for it with a nice smooth drive after the initial get up and go part. The interior is a little plasticky, but makes for easy cleaning and really grows on you actually. If youre driving mostly city/highway and not looking to go mudding, great SUV for your buck. Plenty of console storage. All in all, on a budget but need the room and style, great SUV.

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  My first lemon - 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Amelia - December 13 - 8:40 am

  I bought the Jeep with only 3 miles on it. I, too, have experienced the uncertainty of whether the Jeep will accelerate and the windows I think are possessed. The dealership tells me "We cant reproduce these problems". Now, as the final insult, the engine "has thrown a rod" and I am expected to pay between $7,000-8,000 to get this fixed. I do not have all of my oil change receipts. I am told the oil was 2 quarts low. The oil was changed 5 weeks before the engine blew. No engine light came on, no oil light, no warning. I will never buy another Jeep product. For the money I have spent, I should be driving this vehicle for more than 3 years.

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  The Best SUV Ever - 2000 Jeep Cherokee
  By jmtrumpet - December 13 - 7:12 am

  The original SUV was, and is the best. Its reasonably economical, quick and agile, and combines the ruggedness of a true truck frame with agility (the agility is helped by the aftermarket, stiffer shocks I installed along with slightly wider high-performance tires). And it can go pretty much anywhere. My 1998 Jeep Cherokee Classic 4.0 has more than 180,000 miles on it - yet when I change the oil after 4000 miles, the dipstick still shows full! Ive never had an engine with this level of longevity. With its NP242 Selec-Trac transfer case, in addition to 2WD and 4WD Hi & Lo it also has Full Time All-Wheel Drive - in this mode on wet pavement its like having an Audi Quattro or BMW X-Drive.

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  We loved it so much we bought another! - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By NewJeepGirl - December 11 - 5:26 pm

  My husband loved my 08 Patriot so much we traded his 96 RAV 4 for a base model 08 Patriot. You get so much for the money-considering we would have to pay almost $20K for a used something else that had 30-40K miles, we got him a brand new Patriot for under $18K. Friends of his thought the seats were leather (theyre vinyl), the ride is smooth, and he gets 28-29K on the highway. He still has the outside temp guage, low tire pressure sensor, and Lifetime Powertrain warrentee

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  I love reading the Jeep reviews - 2001 Jeep Cherokee
  By Awesome truck - December 11 - 4:40 am

  Four Cherokees....Id buy four more. 84 ( black beauty } 93 ( black beauty II } 98 { green hornet )01 { Brutis ). Brutis pulled a new Kia SUV with a tow package and a 2300 lb sterndrive boat hat was coupled to it out of our lake and up the ramp. And I didnt have to bother with low range! Enough said.

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  DO NOT BUY-MONEY PIT - 2007 Jeep Commander
  By reddogues - December 11 - 4:36 am

  have had nothing but problems from transfer case issues to now transmission problem this vehicle is only 3 years old also has needed a water pump at only 60k miles on it- tried to trade it and cant because will have to roll over 4k into another vehicle- also sun roof leaks at car wash- doors collect water every time it rains and dumps water on you when you open the door, windows go down on their own when you try to put them up, complete lemon!!!! what a disaster of a jeep

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  Sky Slider - 2008 Jeep Liberty
  By Lisa - December 10 - 10:10 pm

  In general, I LOVE my Jeep the one thing I dont like is the Sky Slider. I wish I had just over looked it. Starting about 2 weeks after I got the Jeep, I found the highway wind noise to be unbearable. After 3 dealerships and 4 months, I found some guys that noticed that the weather striping had come up and they replaced it. That has helped the noise a ton but it is still pretty undesirable on the highway. No matter the weather, it seems like roof is just not well designed at all. The cross bars in the sky slider buckle with any amount of wind and sometimes if I attempt to close it while I am driving (even at 30 mph) I am scared the whole thing is just going to fly off.