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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  Excellent Ride - 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Paul - February 5 - 8:50 am

  The jeep has all the power it needs with the V-6. Acceleration is good even on a hill. Better gas mileage is only found in smaller SUVs.This one is just average like its competitors. I love the size and fit of the cabin layout. My six foot plus sons ride in the back very comfortably. I would recommend one as my sister did to me.

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  A great all around SUV - 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Clarence Carlson - February 5 - 12:03 am

  Update 9/16. Owned this car a year now and have 12K miles. The experience has been, overall, a good one. Just about every time I get into the Jeep I note the quality of the interior, comfortable seating and its quietness on the road. Handling is great in all seasons. Last winter wasnt our worst here in MN but I can honestly say I never spun a tire or experienced any slipping/sliding at all. If I head out on a long trip I can expect 27 MPG and today my mixed driving MPG said 24.3. Its a good all around vehicle. I have no complaints at all. What follows is my original review. I looked over all the SUVs on the market, did research for 3 months. I wanted something that held 5 passengers (dont need 7 passenger seating), decent gas mileage, reasonable creature comforts but not all the bells and whistles and something that, if there was a sudden zombie takeover, I could drive off the road without worrying about how the car would hold up. Already had a 7 year old Patriot so I knew what I could expect in the way of service at my local Jeep dealer. I decided on a fairly basic Laredo with tow package and a few add ons. My dealer posts the bottom line no haggle price on line so I knew the cost (about three grand down from sticker). Finally saw one listed on line locally and went in to look at it. The test drive, used car evaluation (they gave me very close to book in spite of all the squeaks and rattles) and decision to buy took about 30 minutes. Ive been buying cars since 1978 and this is the smoothest experience Ive had to date. So what did I get? A very smooth ride: if you need a better ride you will pay more. Great handling on dry pavement and in snow: I live in Minnesota where this is critical. Nice interior that is quiet on the road. Comfortable seats for everyone; I got the power drivers seat with adjustable lumbar support which is excellent. A peppy 3.6 L engine that does better than I really need (you have to have driven a 4 cylinder engine to appreciate this). Gas mileage: about 22-23 day to day and on one three hour trip I got 28 mpg all highway. I really like the gauges which are well done and controls are sensibly laid out. Room? I just returned from a vacation where we loaded 4 adults and all the luggage and had plenty of room. Overall Ive had it six months and cant find anything I would change. So far Ive not had any service issues. I did purchase an extended bumper to bumper warranty.

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  3rd, but favorite Jeep! - 2009 Jeep Wrangler
  By sjs21 - February 4 - 10:40 pm

  Amazing Jeep, the best design yet by far!

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  afraid to drive because its always cost me money in breakdowns - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By gary86 - February 4 - 7:09 pm

  my 2008 jeep patriot I thought was going to be a great car at a great price but oh boy was I WRONG.we only drive it when going to dinner or someplace nice. the car only has 15000 miles on it and we have had the tie rods replaced the transmissionm replaced and now the ball joint assembly replaced. it also leaked until they figured out how to fix it. trying to get them to fix it now is a problem it only had a 3 year 36000 mile warranty whichever came first. if we would had driven it more during the first 3 years these problems would had been discovered but we were trying to keep the vechile like new what a mistake. I"m also a toledo jeep retiree but that makes 0 difference to them.

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  Awesome Jeep - 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By G Adkins - February 3 - 9:46 am

  First Jeep Grand Cherokee. Overland. 4X4. V8. I love this SUV. Great value It is comparable to BMW, Mercedes and Porsche. The cost is much less but performance is great. I have had no problems with the Jeep. Great acceleration. Just did 3000 mile road trip, very comfortable. No problem with long hill climbs fully loaded V8 easily keeps speed and accelerates well.

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  BEAUTIFUL NOT RELIABLE - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By starbucksfreak - February 3 - 2:00 am

  Bought at 36K. Immediately after the dealers 60 day warranty expired the transmission stripped completely and had to be replaced. The check engine light comes on about once a week - its always something, though usually minor. Heated seats circuit blew B4 I even bought it. This car has THE MOST comfortable seats Ive ever had, and is the only car that doesnt bother my bad back. Interior fit and finish is nice, too. Good firm ride though trucklike motor noise comes straight into driving compartment, becomes grating on long trips. BIG problem is that car will not start on even a slight grade if the gas tank falls below one-quarter!!

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  Give us Liberty! - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By Rutledge - February 3 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I love it. Where we live we need 4-Wheel drive anytime it snows. We have no problem in our Jeep. We have the Sport and it shows up most SUVs on the road.

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  Still going and going - 2000 Jeep Cherokee
  By christopherM - February 2 - 2:23 pm

  This baby has never let me down. It even ran on little transmission fluid not once but twice. Two great stories. No major difficulties. I have kept the maintenance well and she has never let me down. Multiple trips from DC area to Buffalo in winter and no concerns. Great off road ability not like todays small SUVs (overgrown station wagons) A great reliable vehicle, Im glad I get to keep it and am upset I have to get a commuter car to save on gas. New brakes at 52000 miles, now have over 117k and no problems, still has original shocks, which do need replaced by now. otherwise, it keeps going. wish new jeeps were this reliable bring back the 4.0 or the equivalent diesel.

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  4WD heaven - 2005 Jeep Wrangler
  By zorra225 - February 2 - 4:26 am

  If you are looking for a smooth ride and fuel economy this is not the car for you, But if youre looking for an a car that can take you places you never been; this is the one.

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  Confident on/off roader - 2018 Jeep Compass
  By Casey - February 2 - 1:05 am

  1st off we(my wife and I) live in northern maine where we get ALOT of snow. At the time we owned a 2015 jeep compass fwd with a standard transmission. Which for us was ok. We put 48000 miles on it with very little issues. Loved that thing. However, we recently moved where the roads arent plowed as often and needed something better when we woke up and there was over a foot of snow on the ground. Ive had my eye on the new redesign compass since it came out. So one day on my way to work I saw a tractor trailer 8ler drive by with a BRIGHT ORANGE and black trailhawk dangling off the back. I followed it to the local chrysler dealership and took photos and sent it to my wife. She immediately fell in love. Fast forward al and weve put almost 4000 miles on it and love it. No, its not the fastest vehicle out there. But thats not why we bought it. We love where everything is about a half hour away. So its a combo of highway/city. Mostly rural. I get about 26 mpg with it. Which I find is decent. Maybe if they put the 2.0 turbo in a couple years itll be a better performer. For the winter we put a set of Nokian studded tires and this thing is a BEAST. Im not a fan of the factory falken tires, but not much is out there in the size. so will be changing them out come spring. We dont really plan on taking it crazy offroading but its really nice for the snow which...is half thr year. The interior is very nice, soft black leather, red stitching. Heated seats power seats and heated steering wheel. Stereo system is AWESOME!!! sounds excellent and Bluetooth works flawlessly. Buttons on the steering wheel work great and are very easy to use. We get complements on this EVERYWHERE we go. 4wd system works great. As far as start stop, I see people complaining, if you dont like it? Hit the button. So pros: looks awesome, rides great, great stereo and infotaiment system, 4wd works great. Cons: could use a little more power which would help fuel economy. But really if it wasnt for that itd be 5 stars from me.