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:

• 

  Consider something else - 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Kirill - June 10 - 11:46 am

  I come from all-Japanese car background (our second family car is Honda Accord). My JGC was leased because of the terrific deal, and this is the only good thing about the Jeep ownership. I will gladly join other mad reviewers about the sluggishness of the transmission: it often "refuses" to shift gear for 4-5 seconds, unless I press the accel. pedal all the way to the floor. What a joke?! My other complaints: predatory gas consumption, weak engine for the weight of the body, cheap interior appointments, skimpy storage volume in the hatch (my friends Honda CR-V, which is a compact SUV, can fit more items in its hatch), dull doors that spring back after opening, unless one sticks out a foot.

• 

  Not everyone gets it - 1997 Jeep Wrangler
  By Jerry S - June 9 - 5:13 pm

  I enjoy my Jeep. It has been in the family from the very beginning. My father bought it in 97 and I took it when he bought a Cherokee this year. There has been no major break down of any kind and it holds its own on the highway. The straight 6 provides enough power to pass and the raw design allows for a lot of fun!!!

• 

  NOT what you would expct from Jeep - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By yooper906 - June 9 - 2:00 am

  The day we bought our Jeep Compass we were excited, a sexy black ride, with great gas mileage, and four wheel drive. We though we had found the perfect vehicle. NOT THE CASE. Our Jeep has been in the shop so many times the service manager knows me and my wife by name, when we come in for oil changes he gives us a loaner because there is usually something else wrong. The front end components have been replaced numerous times, we have fought the lemon law fight, but have gotten the run around. Several tires have been chewed up by this beast. It is loud on the highway, underpowered, and most importantly, not mechanically sound. PLEASE, do not consider the Compass, they are trouble.

• 

  Rocky Mountain Trail Edition 4WD - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By bsulakerfan - June 9 - 2:00 am

  This was my wifes car. First things first; We loved it, its very safe and reliable, lots of room, never had any major problems with it. Only minor things or expected things like changing the tires and light bulbs. It had 78k miles on it but we lost it due to a t-bone accident. My wife was hit on the drivers side by a pickup truck and the jeep was totaled and my wife walked away with only a couple scratches and bruises. So i found that the Jeep is SAFE!

• 

  Window woes - 2007 Jeep Liberty
  By Pappy6 - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Very poor pwr.window mechanism. Two windows have completely failed and expensive to repair and get replacement parts. Except from dealer with NO assistance from Chrysler whom is aware of the continuing problem.

• 

  Jumped tooo fast !! - 2008 Jeep Wrangler
  By C Cherry - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Fell in LOVE with the four door Jeep...hunted 3 months before I found 1 I liked and affordable. Four door has come along way for Jeeps-however IT IS STILL A "SUV" JEEP, NO comfort - particularly on long trips. Back seats sit straight up with No adjustments, doors swing open, lights are not auto, TEST DRIVE - LIVE in it for 24 hours first. It is a GREAT size and a looker but NO comfort!

• 

  Amazing ride but the interior isnt. - 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By alan93 - June 8 - 8:41 pm

  I got this used a month ago and am really impressed with the style , performance, size, and fuel economy. The only thing that is mediocre is the drivers cockpit. After selling my old boxy JGC, I almost didnt feel like i had a jeep. This thing rides like a luxury SUV, quiet and smooth. It is bigger than older JGC so it kind of lumbers around corners but the power of the V6 is very impressive. I am getting an astonishing 27 mpg on hiways ( I drive about 70mph but careful to keep the speed steady ). I havent taken it in the field yet but am wondering if it will be very nimble with its hulking size and heavier weight.

• 

  I wish I chosen a different suv - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By keith - June 8 - 8:13 pm

  Ahhhh - right now what I can say. It gets bad gas mileage and I have only 6706 miles on it and already had it in service department 3 times with window switches and engine light comes on. There is no power.

• 

  Fired Up!!!! - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By Fired Up!!!!! - June 8 - 2:16 pm

  I have had my Liberty for 5 years and have had zero problems with it. It has been wonderful. The problems that have been described with tires and handling I have not experienced. My Liberty has taken everything that has been thrown at it from hail storms (without a dent) to near blizzard conditions (without a slide off). Awesome vehicle.

• 

  Diesel Liberty - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By redwolf - June 8 - 4:43 am

  Still too new to give a thorough review but love it so far. A little concerned about the care of a diesel and want to try the biodiesel fuel. Very fun to drive and with a bad back, itÂ’s very easy to get in and out of. The CD player got very hot its first time out so not happy about that, but perhaps we played it too long? Although I dont think that should matter. My son is taller so he was not as comfortable.