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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  Love this car! - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By postone25 - January 22 - 2:58 pm

  I have had two 2002 Libertys. A blue sport that I wrecked about a year ago. It was my first car. It had under 100k miles on it and ran like a dream. I had a back window part replaced due to the window not staying up and the ac fixed one time but thats it. My accident was my fault not the cars. My new Liberty, a black limited 4x4 of the same year is leaking and the ac has broken on it numerous times. I miss my original one and hate the mess ups with this one. Overall, as a brand and a car, I love them and never regret getting one.

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  Most fun Ive ever had! - 2003 Jeep Wrangler
  By Ross - January 22 - 11:03 am

  I never thought Id own a Wrangler. I was actually looking for a Cherokee when I stumbled across this perfect 2003 X model. Ive never had a vehicle more fun than this. I drive with a smile everyday. It actually rides quite well, the seats are fantastic, and the CD player with the factory subwoofer sounds great. I added stainless bumpers front and rear, a Magnaflow exhaust, and the K&N intake kit. It sounds excellent, and has better pick up. Driving it last summer, on a clear warm night, with the top off, I looked up to see the stars going by, and all seemed right in the world, if only for a few minutes. This vehicle is amazing... especially off road.

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  Mines a GAS HOG! - 2006 Jeep Liberty
  By M Dickey - January 22 - 8:46 am

  I absolutely love my Liberty -- I have had the best winter driving (in New England) of my LIFE this year! The Jeep is powerful and confident on snowy and slippery roads -- I rarely needed 4WD. However, I am only a townie driver, and I am averaging only 11-12 MPG. I am not kidding -- I tracked it. I am going to contact dealership to see if something is wrong.

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  3rd Jeep Ive had and the best so far. - 1999 Jeep Cherokee
  By Rescue515 - January 22 - 2:56 am

  I bought my Jeep when it only had 3 miles on it. I saw the truck driver when he was backing it off the delivery truck. It was Chili Pepper Red with Grey inside. I bought the extended warranty for 7 years or 100,000 miles. (DID NOT USE IT) The only problem that I have had is that the alternator went out at about 75,000 miles. I change the oil every 3500 mi and have a regular maintenance schedule. This Jeep looks as good as it drives.

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  Buyer Beware - 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Ryan - January 21 - 10:45 pm

  Chrysler should be ashamed of fielding such poor quality. I purchased my GC less than two years ago, and have already had it in the shop multiple times, where the service experience was abysmal. It took over a month for the dealer to get a replacement shock into the shop after the OEM version started leaking at 25K. After that shock was finally replaced, the replacement shock then started leaking again a month later. On another occassion the service shop couldnt perform a simple oil change and I had oil leak all over the engine compartment. No compensation offered from the dealer. Now the air conditioner smells musty, which through a little research appears to be a design flaw that allows water to collect deep in the AC system, and the brakes started sqeaking.

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  2014 Grand Cherokee Multiple Issues - 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By yeloiron - January 21 - 1:09 pm

  I purchased a 2014 Grand Cherokee Overland in October 2013. Ive driven 39k miles on California highways since the purchase. The problems began before I got home and have continued to grow plague the vehicle. My first issue was the loud clunk in the rear end during acceleration from a dead stop and repeating during deceleration. The transmission fails to find the right gear either from a dead stop of while passing which is a major safety issue. Driver seat squeaks during movement. The sunroof rattles, the radio/Bluetooth works sometimes and water gets into the fuel filler cap during a car wash. The dealers answer is always a re-boot. I plan to trade it in over the holidays. Poor quality.

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  good things come in little packages - 2009 Jeep Compass
  By hawkeye - January 20 - 7:50 pm

  i have an 07 patriot ltd and i luv it, but this compass ltd is so much more fun to drive. i luv its looks, and the ltd package with silver bumper accents, silver body side moldings and chrome wheels turn other drivers and pedestrians heads. under load it seems a little sluggish, but the more i drive it the more accustomed to it i become. comfort is as good or better than the patriot. fuel economy is very good too. the interior is better than most same class competitors. all seams are tight and well-aligned, doors fit tight, etc.

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  Good Value for the Price - 2008 Jeep Compass
  By D from Cascades - January 20 - 12:23 pm

  I have owned the Compass for about two months and have been impressed at its performance in bad weather conditions. We live in the Washington Cascades and this winter have had snow accumulation of 5ft on the ground. Needless to say my driveway has been a mess a lot of the winter and the Compass has never been stuck. I have confidence that it will plow through. The reviews say that the Compass is not a "true Jeep", but my driveway is rutted and graveled and very much off road and the Compass has peformed well. (actually as well or better than my 4X4 Pickup) Safety features are also great! My wife and son are the principal drivers and I have confidence they are protected.

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  Better than a Ford! - 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By rick shauvin - January 19 - 11:20 pm

  Have had the rig about a month. Traded in a Ford F150 Crew Cab which I hated from the day I drove it home. Jeep is fantastic in almost every aspect except fuel economy around town. Plenty of power and handles like a dream in the snow and ice. Great seat heaters. Great sound system. Turns on a dime. Got the inferno red which generates lots of compliments. Worth the $200 extra. Very quiet ride. Puny cargo space.

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  Fool Andy - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Andy - January 19 - 11:06 pm

  I bought this car because I like the look and feel. Ignoring warning from consumer review about quality problem, I bought the car. I had my Jeep 11 months. Bring the car to the shop 15 times to fix transmission problem and some engine light. The car is still under warranty but the problem was never fixed. Chrysler almost seems to not care. Fed up with it, I traded in the car with a 30% loss.