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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  Heartbroken - 1995 Jeep Wrangler
  By floyd5852 - November 9 - 2:00 am

  The best car I ever drove and owned. Never a problem - always reliable. The hard top is great in winter and the soft is great in warmer weather - a little loud though at high speeds.. Have to sell because of new baby - need larger SUV - but when he gets a little older we will absolutly own again! Great Fun and Great Drive -

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  OK for now - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Navy44 - November 9 - 2:00 am

  66K and four sets of rotors. Two covered under warranty. Window regulator replaced under warranty. Transmission not refined, but no major problems. Vehicle has saved my butt numerous times in bad weather when others had lesser fortune. Would not recommend to others because of poor reliability.

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  I wouldnt wish a jeep on my worst enemy - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By ptero2003 - November 9 - 2:00 am

  v8 quad drive, every option. Purdy to some, BUT.... Terrible car. "wallows" down the highway like a fat pig. quad drive groans when wheels turned hard, fan roars when cold, front rotors warp at 11k miles, heated seats broke twice. Jeep sales are a trestimny only to good advertising spin. Jeep is living in the past.

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  Pretty Good SUV - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By moparornocar91 - November 9 - 1:04 am

  My uncle bought it new in 05 then I bought it from him and its a 60,000 miles and going strong it rides amazing but the v6 is sluggish (really need to mash the pedal to pass on the hwy) gas milage isnt great but im not complaining. it has been rattled hard (uncle lived on a dirt, rutted horrible road lol) and has only had a few problems.

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  Hope you love to buy Fuel! - 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Matt - November 8 - 2:13 pm

  Well I bought my 2001 Jeep GC Limited 6 months ago now with only 36k. I got a pretty good deal on it a $10,450. After a few problems that the dealer took care of for the most part it seems to be a pretty good truck. The Heated seats didnÂ’t work when I bought it (dealer took $1000 off because of it.) The night I drove it off the lot the heat went out on it took it back to the dealer and they had to replace a door the HVAC system. Another month later the ABS light came on and ABS stopped working, it turned out to be a bad speed sensor Dealer paid 50% on that. However on my way to the dealer to drop it off for the ABS the heat went out again. It was a different door in the HVAC system.

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  Jeep the wonder Vehicle - 1992 Jeep Wrangler
  By Jeepin dg - November 7 - 9:13 am

  I am aJeep fan but this is a vehicle of all trades -- it is not a master of anything on-road but it does it all and it can truely take you anywhere you want to be. For a daily driver I truely recommend it

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  Very Disappointed. - 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By luvmachines - November 7 - 1:48 am

  I have always loved the Jeep and when I got the car it was really great. I am so disappointed at how fast the decline has been from really really good to a very worrying point. At this moment it takes an average of 2 minutes to start the car, once it has gone to more than 6 minutes. It just cranks and dies. It also has strange vacuum and knocking noises from the engine bay. This is from a pampered car, never maxed my Jeep. Yet this happens, why? So very sad.

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  Mountain Driver - 2009 Jeep Patriot
  By cav - November 5 - 8:00 pm

  I bought this Jeep in Golden, co and drove it to my house in the mountains. I was very surprised how well it climbed the hills for a 4 Cyl. The interior of the limited was very nice. I upgraded at the last minute and was glade I did. I think it handles very well for a 4x4 and look forward to the next 4 months of snow, just so I can put it to the real test.

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  I finally found my car - 2005 Jeep Wrangler
  By Karl - November 5 - 3:33 am

  Ive owned a G35 Coupe, a Mitsu Eclipse, an SUV, and this takes the cake. Ive never had so much fun driving a car. Driving with the top down on a sunny day, I get more looks than I ever did in my fancy sports coupe. Once again, "Its a Jeep Thing". Yea the rides a little rough, who cares?! I plan on keeping this baby for a long time.

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  good solid suv - 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By j nabor - November 4 - 7:53 pm

  I like the laredo; had only one problem (non response when accelerate/15OOO mi.)so i took it to the dealer and they fixed it that same day.I get 20.7mpg combined out of the v6 at 70mph.I love driving it on snow/ice and rain.This suv is solid,safe and handles great. I recommend it to anyone looking for an SUV,not for commuter econobox type. My next car will be a JEEP!......its a jeep thing......