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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  falling apart at 100k - 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By gbw - January 24 - 10:00 am

  leased for 2 years, then forced to buy when it died 1 day before lease ended. was fuel system cost 1k to fix. now at 100k have repaired in last year alone; a/c, 2 oil leaks, 3 pullies on engine, distributor, starter, still have mysterious screaching noise from engine that techs at dealer cant figure out, rear wiper assembly, motorized antenna, tough to keep alligned despite new tires, doors pop when closing. bumper cover

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  reliability - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By 3rd jeep - January 24 - 10:00 am

  this is my 4th jeep. ive had a 92 cherokee, a 98 grand cherokee and a 99 grand cherokee. the performance seems very weak and my 99 has more pickup on road than this car. the interior design and features are nice however. i have had a gasket problem since ive had it and over the 5 years ive had my 99, ive had to take it in serveral times for air conditioning problems and transmission slippage

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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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  Gas Pumps become tourist destinations - 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Mechem - January 18 - 3:53 am

  First off, we bought this car brand new and drove it to the grave (totaled in an accident). So with that said, I feel now that its gone I can write this. The car ran perfectly to 100k. Never had a single mechanical error other than the AC failing 2 times. Car was fun to drive, could go anywhere. But it was slower than molasses. The V6 just simply didnt move the car. The gas mileage stunk. I averaged 13 city 15 highway. Still though I had a lot of great times in the car, and really nothing much went wrong. If gas ever drops in price I would get another.

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  Will see - 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Bryan M - January 15 - 10:00 am

  Just bought the Laredo 3.7 ltr yesterday. Am a loyal Chevy man. Wife wanted to try the Jeep. Initial driving seems nice. Back seat area seems to be a little tight. Doesnt seem to be as solid as the Chevy Equinox. Nice looking vehicle. Time will tell for me though. Rated it as 5s in all categories for now. Will rate again as time goes on.

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  Nice but Costly - 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Bill - January 12 - 11:00 am

  Bought used with 50,000. 1st winter no heat due to same issue THANKS CHRYSLER for no HELP cost $1,000. Then Cracked head @ 77,000 another $1,200 Now in for 2nd issue with Limited Slip Clutches $230 each time. Driver window repair $400 COME ON!!!! This is my 3rd Jeep and will Not Buy Another...too many other good options out there these days. Gas mileage average Hwy/City is 19 but wife drives it easy. Oh yea, heated seats repaired once by warranty and again by me.. quite working again. Really to bad as JEEP had such a good Brand Name..HAD being the optimal word

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  Not too Happy - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Mrodz - January 11 - 10:06 pm

  We have had the Jeep for 4 years now, loved the comfort and driving experience it gives on long rides. Now we are experiencing problems with the electrical windows and doors and interior lights. But still I like my jeep

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  Disapointed Jeepster - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By OBRascal1 - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Great looking vehicle. Reasonably comfortable interior. Floor carpet poor quality. Window wind noise irrating. Fuel consumption 8-10 city 14-17 hiway. Way off sticker. Transmission, rear end noisy. Power steering broke. Shocks broke. Paint and body rusted,repainted. Original tires were bad. Changed tires to oversized Michellin all terrain..Big difference in handling. Sorry.sorry brakes.

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  JEEP is a piece of junk - 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By gbyt - January 10 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a 6 cyl 4WD JGC Laredo last year - I sold it with 17,500 miles on it. Nothing but problems, front brake rotors had to be resurfaced twice, fuel pump had to be replaced, passenger electric window motor went out, etc... Serious defects with a vehicle that cost $28,000. I also have a toyota tacoma - the exception being that this vehicle has 152,000 miles on it and still going strong. Until Jeep fixes these quality defects - I would be very hesitant when buying another Jeep vehicle - just talk with others who have owned a Jeep Grand Cherokee.

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  Stay away from the 1999 JGC - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By jedisean - January 6 - 12:10 pm

  The power train is great. Everything else stinks. The first week I had it, I had it in the shop 4 times. Service is poor and in the 3 years I have had it, I have had it in the shop 30 times. Anything from the brakes (twice) to the sunroof. Do not buy. The problems were fixed in 2000, but I would not take that chance again.