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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  Excellent car for the money - 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By peter herb - April 8 - 6:59 pm

  You should know it can get thirsty.. my wife says is a little noisy in the cabin compared to our two 6 cylinders Grand Cherokees we owned prior to this V8, for me is a non issue.. an update she loves this car now got used to the low rumbling of the V8 loves the UConnect an amazing piece of technology, likes the ride and comfortable seats.. the 8 speed transmission is fantastic! love how it shifts quickly. All in all very happy with this purchase and looking forward to my next new Jeep.

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  Like this Patriot - 2012 Jeep Patriot
  By mbluefootball - April 8 - 6:57 am

  I just got a Patriot Latitude at a dealership and am really happy with it. I love that I could get a Jeep for basically less than $20,000 with a ton of equipment. 4 wheel drive is awesome and it handles really well.

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  Nice and fun, but... - 2007 Jeep Wrangler
  By bigo - April 8 - 4:13 am

  Keep in mind, IÂ’m single and this is my only vehicle. Got my Jeep back in July. Almost 6500 miles on it. Fun ride that definitely turns heads. I do get the mini Hummer comment a lot. Hard top takes two people to get it off (back portion.) I continue to have problems with a leak anytime it rains. Drips right down on the dashboard and then onto the radio. Supposedly been fixed by dealership but by the sound of everyone else, there is no fix. When starting it seems to stick sometimes. Recently got a recall about my brakes. This Jeep will suck gas. I get about 16 mpg. On the interstate I get around 19-20. No power! Love driving it in the summer and look forward to next year already.

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  Water leaking/speaker have short - 2008 Jeep Commander
  By deltau1 - April 7 - 2:16 pm

  I just purchase a 2008 commander and I am having water leaking through even when I just use wipers the hand rails near window. Going into speakers. Short, crackle sound, right side speaker dont work. Who knows where water is traveling now! Also, when driving can hear wind through windshield. Hard to see through rear window with rear back seats up, dont use it.I cant really rate the vehicle to much, since its only been a month, so far not good.

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  ALWAYS A SUV GAL! - 2006 Jeep Commander
  By V-6 Jeep Loaded - April 7 - 7:56 am

  After looking at the Commander I wasnt sure if I wanted a vehicle in its first production year, but I have have nothing but wonderful things to say about my Jeep. It is a late 06 Model with 07 options (paint-Red Rock), just a beautiful color. It is fully loaded with leather, heated seats, 3 sunroofs and Sirius radio. It is wonderful. I have had Jeeps before (Grand Jeep model) but I enjoy the Commander even more. The gas mileage is not bad at all considering I used to drive a Tahoe, but it really is not bad I would "HIGHLY" recommend this vehicle. My kids love it too, and it has plenty of room to haul kids to games, yet "Sporty" for Mom...the SUV gal! The price is pretty decent also.

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  Never should have bought it - 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By ktme - April 6 - 11:10 pm

  Where to begin... Bought our 03 out of state at Crest in NH with apprx 60 thousand miles on it. From the week we drove it home I had to return it to the dealership 4 times for faulty hoses being put in it. From there we have had the following issues: 1.Radiator replaced 2.Passenger door window mechanism replaced 3.Interior lights have stopped working multiple times 4.AC/Heater only comes out of the window vent 5.Rust coming through on the back wheel well 6.Cooling fan just went on it 7.Hood doesnt stay open 8.Seals on all doors leakes water when rains 9.Shocks have been replaced. IT BROKE DOWN WHILE I WAS TESTDRIVING A VEHICLE TODAY!!! *SIGH*

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  Good vehicle with regular maintenance - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Angela - April 6 - 12:36 pm

  Overall, I am happy with my purchase. I bought my Jeep brand new, and have logged 175,000 miles on it. I had to replace the battery after 2 years, and have had some minor transmission issues. The shifter had to be repaired twice. Otherwise, everything has worked fine. I get an oil change every 6,000 miles, and have the transmission fluid flushed/replaced every year. I had the brakes replaced, but with as much as I drive, thats to be expected. It still runs good, and I will probably keep driving this Jeep until I run it into the ground. A friend of mine bought the same model the same year I got mine. His turned out to be a lemon, but mine runs well. Get a warranty to be safe.

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  Climate Problems - 2006 Jeep Liberty
  By Benjamin Hester - April 6 - 1:20 am

  The Jeep Liberty (and other Chrysler family vehicles that share its components) is extremely prone to problems with the climate system. Multiple (FIVE) attempts to fix a problem common in this model where the air simply stops coming out of the vents (despite functional fan/cooling system) due to a faulty valve have been unsuccessful. Multiple Jeep dealers have failed to correctly identify or repair this problem due to the intermittent nature of occurrence (only occurs at high rates of speed, due to loss of vacuum pressure). Extremely disappointed in this otherwise excellent vehicle and in Jeep service - as this problem makes any use of our Liberty miserable in the Texas heat.

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  Engine Problems - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By Sick in Memphis - April 5 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned my car for 2 years and Im having to have the cylinder heads replaced. I have 27,000 miles on my car. I would not buy another Jeep!

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  Loyall Jeep owner since 1987 until now - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By mark d - April 5 - 10:00 am

  I always loved Jeeps so when I needed a new vehicle I decided to stay with the good old American Jeep.What a mistake. First I have had nothing but issues with my electrical wiring used for my towing hitch which started at around 15,000 miles and first use.When I brought my Liberty back to have this repaired, I had to fight with the dealer to have it fixed (lets just say I spoke with every manager in the dealership and actually had to contact Jeep headquarters directly)- headache #1 still not solved, still not working. Now I am having transmission problems at 34,000 miles.It feels as though my transmission is stuck in third or fourth gear.