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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  HORRIBLE - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By magichat101 - May 2 - 10:00 am

  I HATE THIS CAR!!! I AM SELLING IT AND GETTING A PRIUS! I ALMOST GOT KILLED IN THIS CAR SEVERAL TIMES! I WOULD NOT RECOMEND IT! IT ALWAYS SKIDS! ALMOST FLIPPED OVER ON ME SEVERAL TIMES! I HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE THIS CAR! I JUST FEEL REALLY UNSAFE IN IT!! IT IS VERY UNSTABLE!

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  My Jeep - 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By BEBishop - April 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought this Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L 2wd with 74000 miles, it ran great. after 20000 miles all i have replaced was the water pump, brake pads and tune-up parts. the Jeep still runs like the day i bought it. I have never owned a more reliable vehicle. I am a Mopar fan more now than ever. If I ever buy another vehicle it would have to be a Jeep! Im Hooked

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  jeep laredo blows away competion - 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By king111 - April 30 - 2:00 am

  this is my 5th jeep laredo ive owned- mileage is excellent at 19mpg with 4.7 liter v8, handling superb like a sports car, excellent accelration and engin response-would like to c more room in back seats and also add a 3rd seat and about 8" to vehichle-compared to Ford Explorers ive rented while elk hunting in colorado-THERE IS NO COMPARISON-jeep wins hands down-explorers still like to fishtail down the freeways and 4x4s are not made for off road use!! love my jeep laredo and especially the power seats.

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  You Know Youve Always Wanted One! - 2000 Jeep Wrangler
  By Dano - April 29 - 7:30 pm

  They are everything youve wanted and a few things youve never expected. The ride is very good, considering the EXTREMELY short wheelbase. All in all, you will be pleasantly surprised by your experience.

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  Great SUV - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By KYPatriot - April 28 - 9:36 pm

  I bought my Patriot brand new in April 08 and I love it. Forget what professional reviewers say about it compared to the Escape, Rav4, etc., this is comfortable and handles great. Kentucky got hit with a terrible ice storm in early 09, and the Patriot acted like it barely noticed it! The biggest knock on it is the cheap interior materials, but seriously - how often do you touch your dashboard?

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  accident waiting to happen - 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By nonap - April 27 - 10:36 pm

  Gas pedal delayed response almost causing accident. I accelerated at stop sign man decided to cross street I saw him. put my foot on break. had to apply break hard because accelerator finally responded. I looked down at the gas pedal to see if my foot was on both pedals but I was only on the break. This is not a wish list but is a serious defect & needs to be recalled & fixed. it could have caused that man his life, & I would have to live with the guilt. Took delivery April 2014. car is 2014 model. I have complained about lag time & they say its now computerized instead of direct linkage. & my security breach by Bluetooth on 24/7 even without keys in car

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  08 Liberty Limited - Great Vehicle - 2008 Jeep Liberty
  By MHG - April 27 - 8:30 am

  Driven pickups and 4x4 vehicles for many years, though last three were spent in a sports car. Needed a vehicle that we could tow "4-down" behind a motor home and still be a daily driver, with room for people and cargo. The Liberty fit the bill. It drives and rides nice is very quiet even though I have the Sky-Slider. It is roomy enough without being giant. Short turning radius, quick selection into 4wd, all make this a pleasure to drive.

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  Towed 3 times in 6 months! - 2010 Jeep Liberty
  By Sherry - April 27 - 7:13 am

  I have the 2010 Jeep Liberty Sport with the full slider window. Its a gorgeous vehicle however I have had to have it towed 3 times in 6 months for various things involving the "on board computer". I now dont want to drive it anywhere for fear it wont start! Each time the dealer has told me that what goes wrong "cant be fixed in the field" so it had to be towed. Im ready to turn it in! :(

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  Awesome first car - 1998 Jeep Wrangler
  By Preston - April 25 - 1:13 pm

  I got a 98 as my first car And I absoulutly love it ! Its not the most powerful car in the world but it helps avoid the speeding tickets. The suspension is like no other its so bouncy its fun to go over bumps. I have a few bolt on accessories like Nerf bars and brush guards and you can find Cheap used. mine is an Automatic and unless your a serious off roader or have to do alot of interstate travel its really nice. The Jeep isnt for anybody ( my dad doesnt care for it ) but If you want a fun car there awesome. and if you want to get into off roading there Beast even stock I dont get stuck in light mud under a foot or so thick and nothing is funner then going off roading

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  do your research, do not buy - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Donny - April 24 - 1:36 pm

  We bought this Jeep for my wife to drive to work, works awesome in snow and ice love the all wheel drive, I love the looks of it, also love the sound of the throaty v8 engine, would sound better with dual exhaust, the bad is we have only owned it for three months and have had to put $500 worth of parts into it, I am a mechanic so I take care of my vehicles, the front speakers suck they rattle already and need replaced, there is a light blown out for the heater controls so cant see what the setting is at night, already had to replace the starter @ $300 and a wheel bearing on the front @ $230, that is just for parts, pretty pathetic at only 37,000 miles, wonder what else is going to go out?