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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  Wonderful with flaws - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By camrice - October 18 - 3:52 am

  Wonderful car, fabulous on the highway or in the city, good engine noise down low, and a great throaty roar up top. Short wheelbase makes parking a breeze but sacrifices ride comfort and interior space. 5 people is a squeeze unless one or more is a small child. fun to drive in the city, corners well when not driving extremely aggressively, perfect for whipping around backstreets. However, when you really push it it does feel like it will roll, which is a sacrifice made to provide ground clearance for off roading. Speaking of off roading, this thing can handle anything a sensible person can throw at it. Indiana snow is no match for the 4-wheel drive, weather in low or high settings.

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  Liberty Rocks! - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By Target - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Fun, safe and comfortable SUV. The Liberty feels very solid yet handles nimbly. Sharp looking vehicle. Only complaint is gas mileage could be better for its size.

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  My new car - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By Corrys wife - October 16 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. I love driving it. I love the look of it.

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  a little bigger but just as much fun - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By bosslady - October 16 - 10:00 am

  had a Wrangler for years. loved it but needed a skosh more room. Liberty fit the bill. its quick, comfortable, cute and oh so easy to drive. love it..love it..love it too.

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  best looking jeep ever - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By legund60 - October 16 - 10:00 am

  My wife has all ways wanted a jeep, so last july she got the jeep she wanted. we havent had the jeep that long, but have alway driven dodge products, and have had very little problems with them. I think that the products will become some of the best made American cars on the road.

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  Its ok but miss my ford - 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By doug - October 14 - 10:00 am

  i traded my f-150 for this jeep because my wife and i needed a more family friendly vehicle when i bought it the ac wasnt working right and the brakes needed replaced which Chrysler fixed for free and put new rotors on the front. For someone who works on there own vehicles this is the perfect vehicle everything is pretty much easy to access. Just wished it had more cargo space and i love the 4.7 liter high output motor but to get maximum performance out of the engine you must use premium gas.

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  Jeeps are my life - 2001 Jeep Cherokee
  By sdv - October 13 - 10:40 pm

  I have owned 5 Jeeps. 83 cj7, 88 Wrangler, 2-91 Cherokees, and this 01 Cherokee. They all had the inline six cyl. motors. Good rugged vehicles. I plowed with the cj and wrangler and they held up good. The Cherokees are good cars but they all seem to have issues around the 100000 mile mark. I have learned from the past to just bite the bullet and put radiators in them at the 100 grand mark. They are not that good on gas (maybe 21 to 23 on a trip)but I still keep buying them..LOL They are good in the snow climate up here in the northeast. This 2001 Cherokee has had synthetic oil changes since new so we will so how long I can run this without getting the usual compression blow by.

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  Love / Hate Relationship - 2001 Jeep Cherokee
  By Bill F - October 12 - 4:00 am

  I bought this Jeep used w/ 40K miles on it for my kids. 5 years later it has 70K miles. I have spent a fortune replacing parts on this. Both front and rear differentials, ball joints, radiator, water pump,and more. Check engine light is on again. Probably another $250 part needed. It is a solid feeling truck that is fun to drive. The seats need more support. I keep hoping the last repair will be it, and that it is good to go for many more miles and years. Ive got too much invested in it now to unload it. Maybe the prior owner abused it and I am paying the price. My luck has been nothing like those of the other reviewers.

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  Loving it less.... - 2007 Jeep Liberty
  By Libby - October 11 - 12:40 pm

  The Jeep has been a great vehicle. Its easy to drive, easy to park, easy to see out of, and easy to get in and out of. Plenty of storage and travels well. If you want a plush ride, might not be for you, as its a real jeep. Not a disguised mini van. Its been rock solid except for the window issues. Trail rated perhaps should be turned to Tear rated. I love my Jeep, but I am really getting tired of having the windows repaired. It goes in tuesday for window repair #5. After owning a Wrangler, two Cherokees and this, this Liberty will likely be my last Jeep as the window issues are souring the whole experience. Would give 9s on build and reliability if not for the windows.

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  Good, But Not Great - 2008 Jeep Liberty
  By Samuel - October 10 - 9:03 pm

  Our 2008 Liberty Limited is our second Liberty. We traded in a 2003 Liberty Sport that we drove for 5 years and 50,000 miles without a single problem. We wanted a fully loaded Liberty and the end of year rebates plus lifetime powertrain warranty were too tempting to resist. The 2008 feels a little more "grownup" than our 03 and although it has the same engine does not feel as quick. The mileage, never particularly good on our 03, is even worse on the 08. It has been to the shop for minor things such as a 4WD warning light that wouldnt go off, a defective bow that caused a wind leak on the Skyslider top, and a hood prop rod that came off in my hand.