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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  Weak Automatic Transmission - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By Mike_L - April 28 - 11:33 pm

  This trail-rated 4WD minivan is absolutely horrible offroad. Beginning in 2003 Jeep replaced the 45RFE transmission with the 42RLE in a cost-cutting move. The 42RLE was originally designed for front-wheel drive cars and minivans. It is way too little tranny for too much Jeep. It runs way too hot - and heat KILLS automatic transmissions. The TRANS TEMP light comes on predictably under high altitude moderate climbing conditions. Jeeps answer - use low- range at all times while offroad! Ridiculous. If all you want to do is get groceries and go to soccer practice, this is the vehicle for you. If you want offroad performance, steer way clear of any Jeep Liberty 2003 and above.

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  Never buy a Jeep - 2005 Jeep Wrangler
  By Karen Miller - April 25 - 5:11 am

  The Power Control Module went out on my jeep over 2 month ago. I continue to be told its on back order. I am still making payments on a jeep that I can not drive!!!!

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  Windows all have now broken - 2007 Jeep Liberty
  By ebrooks - March 20 - 8:33 pm

  Yes, you read it right. Another stinking Jeep Liberty whose windows have broken due to an obvious flaw of the manufacturer. Will they pay for it? Absolutely not! So then why should I ever want to deal with these morons ever again? They dont even stand behind their product. All I can say is dont ever buy a Jeep period. I sure the heck wont. If you insist on buying one, even though you have been warned, dont dare try and roll down the damn window or you will be out a lot of money.

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  Ill never buy another Jeep - 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By DRichards - February 8 - 3:08 pm

  This is a great car if you enjoy spending a lot of money on repairs and bringing it to the shop over and over again.

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  8 gears of torture - 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Mac - January 12 - 5:16 am

  worst Carolina I have ever owned. 1st gear bucks, random gear changes. Gets stuck in middle gears. Sloppy gear transition and overall poor engineering. This is the worst transmission I have ever experienced. If you want the truth on this car, read the 2014 reviews. If you buy this truck after reading this you are crazy. I wish I did more homework. I know its a major issue b/c this is the most common complaint. My father in law has exact same year/model and his is fine. Downshift when braking feels like you are in the car with someone that doesnt know how to drive stick. Just terrible.

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  Piece of Junk - 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Frank - January 3 - 5:40 am

  When I purchased my vehicle it only had 31,000 miles. The first week I had to take it back to get the rotors replaced. Next the sensor without the relay went. The fan had to be replaced. The radiator had to be replaced. Then the relay had to be replaced. 2x the tires had to be replaced. The front and back rotors and brakes had to be replaced there was a call back on the front end break system parts had to be replaced. To this day I go out to work in the morning and start my truck and it makes all kind of ticking and other noises until it decides to calm down and finally I can drive off and go to work. How much longer will it last I do not know. But you can believe I will never purchase another Jeep.

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  Piece of Junk - 2017 Jeep Patriot
  By Centa - October 27 - 6:46 pm

  Bad on gas, windows/doors/automatic starter does not work often with remote, dash board blinks off/on, clock resets everytime its started, acceleration is slow, brakes squeak since 200 miles sometimes and watranty is only for 1 year.....Everytime vehicle is taken in for service, they say everything is good, we cant find anything wrong. Its at dealership for service again and rep notice all of complaints. The truck is a lemon, no doubt.

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  new jeeps are junk - 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By b-rad - October 6 - 6:23 pm

  this is not my first jeep. but after purchasing my 2007 jeep grand Cherokee I have one problem after another. now my latest one is that the drivers door frame is poorly built, the metal that was use in the manufacturing of the door frame is very very weak! so weak that after 8 months of opening and closing the door,the metal where the hinge mounted bent one day just enough to allow the door caught the fender now the dealer tells me that they wont fix the problem. so I have a $30,000 vehicle with a bent door and fender! list of problems, speakers blown, windows wont roll up tire rub when turning, leaking trans, trans slipping, and the list goes on...

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  Worst headache vehicle ever - 2007 Jeep Patriot
  By Scott - September 19 - 11:03 pm

  This vehicle was a manufacturer buyback. It has been nothing but a major headache and stress producer. The engine is way underpowered for the body size. The seats quickly became very uncomfortable. The transmission keeps overheating and Chrysler has replace all the cheap parts but refuses to replace the actual transmission which is obviously the problem. Stay away.

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  patriot limited 5spd manual - 2007 Jeep Patriot
  By pajobx - September 1 - 7:36 am

  this car is just bad no power when you step on the gas does not handle well on rain or snow only comes in 5spd no 6spd i feel for this car to be better needs to have 6cylinders with 250horspower i will never buy a jeep patriot again gas tank only takes 12.5gal you need to fil twice a week audio controls in back of steering wheel interior all plastic,buy german