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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  Not a satisfied customer - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By adam - May 3 - 1:46 pm

  My wife has always loved jeeps. We bought 04 G.C. Laredo 4X4 4.0L SFI. The engine ticks. Almost all the time sometimes loud sometimes quiet weve had it checked out by a certified dealership($69)and they said the 4.0L is notorious for being noisy. Everything checked out fine. FYI it only now has 40k miles on it and gets 13.3 MPG in town 19.9 on HWY. (65 mph for 72 mi.HWY). Other than a noisy motor & Terrible MPG its not bad. Believe me when I tell you I take care of the oil changes and baby my $15k Automobile. It just ticks all the time and is embarrasing. "But thats just the 4.0L its a noisy motor." We spend $250- $300 a month in fuel at $3.39 9/10 gallon.

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  Major Disappointment - Dont buy one - 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Monte - April 25 - 6:03 am

  After reading all of the reviews, I think I have experienced most of the issues. I purchased this vehicle new in Feb. 2002 and only have 75,000 miles on it 8 years later. It has been back to the dealer or repair shop of 14 occasion. List of Problems 1) Passenger side heater does not work. 2) Transmission has never shifted properly. 5 trips to dealer and still doesnt shift properly. 3) Rear axle replaced 4)Both window arm levers broke so windows wouldnt go back up. 5) Support arms for hood dont work. 6) Major vibration when turning (forward and reverse) 7)Lights come on when vehicle is off 8

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  Wanted to like it - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By Gecko - April 24 - 2:00 am

  More problems in 2 years than my Cherokee had in 11. Bought it for NE winters, doesnt like cold. Sounds like a diesel first 1/2 mile after a 0 deg. start ("they all do that"). Pwr St. pump screams 1-2 sec. Draft under the dash not fixed in 2 winters. Recalled for airbag wire and replace LOWER BALL JOINTS! Steering moans when hot. Suspension creaks & groans cold & hot. Leather worn after very gentle use (pass. seat used maybe once a week). Wicked in cross wind-constant corrections. Door lock wont open <15 deg. Trans whine. Usually keep cars 10+ years, will replace this after 2. Live in a cold climate? insist on an extended test drive in winter.

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  Hinges rust - 2008 Jeep Wrangler
  By Dave - April 23 - 2:26 pm

  My hinges and black bolts/washers have rusted after 4500 miles. My Jeep is 100% garage kept. My local dealership cannot figure out how to fix and is not willing to. I am very disappointed and frustrated. This should not happen on any new vehicle. I have contacted my local dealer 9 times now without any luck. I have just filed a complaint with Chrysler which I hope will bring results. The workmanship is poor as well as their service apparently.

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  Nice Truck but Terrible Mileage - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By 2004JL - April 17 - 6:50 pm

  I have to wonder what vehicles other reviewers drove before their liberty to consider the abysmal mileage in the Jeep to be good. I average under 18 mpg highway, driving 65 or under. Thats TERRIBLE mileage. Its MUCH worse in the city especially in winter, expect 10 mpg. Ive heard many other Liberty owners complain of the same lousy mileage. Using 4x4 mode is even worse. Full size V8 pick ups get better mileage. The four speed auto is reliable but needs more gears. It does ride well, and can tow 5000lbs which is great if you tow a lot. It feels peppy until 40 mph but sorta dies off due to a very tall second gear. Its a very loud motor when pressed hard for passing.

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  Very off-road in the dealership - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By Tamara - April 17 - 10:00 am

  My jeep has had nothing but problems. It has been in the shop more then on the road. I bought the car because I liked the looks of the car. I never thought my new car would have so many problems such as electrical problems, radio problems, coolant and so onÂ…Â…. The car needs a bigger gas tank. The gas mileage is very low so you are filling up all time. Why not put a bigger gas tank in it? However, after all my complaints about the car my mother has a Jeep Sport and her car is fine. She has had no problems what so ever. I got a LEMON!!!

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  Dont buy early models of any new car - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Bob - April 16 - 6:40 pm

  Heater does not work in rear seat; Jeep Customer Service is rude and does not respond even when they give you a case number. Spent the first week and second weekend at the dealer with computer problems.

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  Small Gas Tank - 2016 Jeep Compass
  By Cathy - April 16 - 3:25 pm

  I commute 45 minutes each way, have to fill up a lot - cheap to fill but the tank is so small, only about 13 gallons. Also, Jeep is not compatible with an Iphone so phones navigation and sounds dont work when connected. You can make calls with Uconnect but thats it. Have to turn bluetooth off to use phones navigation. No speak for text either.

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  I love my Jeep, but it hates me - 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By car i hate to love - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle with 92000 miles on it and now has 147000 miles I love this vehicle. People rather have a Grand Cherokee or they want one. . I have just about $25000 in my Jeep even though I bought it for only $16000. That means that about $9000 have been spent on repairs, replacement of parts (some more than once).extremely horrible gas mileage, in town or on the highway, burns oil, just fixed a major oil leak. If I were to fix every single thing wrong with this vehicle, I would probably be able to say that I have $40000 invested in this vehicle which is pretty much the price of a top of the line brand new Grand Cherokee Limited 2003 model year.

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  Fun to drive, but waiting for something to go wrong - 2012 Jeep Wrangler
  By new_jeep_own1 - April 4 - 11:55 am

  I live in a snowy area and wanted a 4wd vehicle. Its great on snowy surfaces under 35. On the freeway the vehicle whips around badly from the wind @ higher speeds which negates any 4wd benefit. Then theres the quality. The ceiling screws in the hardtop gradually come loose no matter how hard I screw them in. The check engine light turned on @ 22k. It stayed on for a week, shut off, then turned on again. I took it to the dealer where I was told the CPU indicated it needs a new Cylinder Head. Their solution was run a "Flash Update" to shut it off and see if the light comes back on. It came back on same day. When everything is working, its very fun to drive.