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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  Fun to drive - 2005 Jeep Wrangler
  By bill pierce - March 26 - 5:00 am

  This is my first jeep, so I didnt know what to expect. Every chance I get the rag top and doors come off. The mileage is what was listed on the factory window sticker. I get 15 to 19 mpg with my jeep, and I do not baby it. With the 6 cyl engine it has all the power I need. I tow a small boat and also an 8 ft trailer on occasion. I tow it behind my motor home which is very convenient. I recently towed it to Big Bend where I spend 4 days of off roading. Performance was exactly what I expected. I would certainly buy another.

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  VW bug to a jeep - 2014 Jeep Cherokee
  By sk_jo11 - March 26 - 4:57 am

  Most amazing car!!! I cannot convey to you how amazing this car is. It is perfect for everything. I use it driving to work and get 28-30 to the gallon on mixed roads with hills. 24-26 In town. And up to 36 on the highway but usually 32 on a trip. Millions of features and you can customize your dash. Tons of room. most comfortable seats since my 1991 chrysler new yorker. I am telling you this is SO worth it. The remote start and heated seats in cold weather is the best. Heated cloth seats was the best invention ever!!! Yes brand new so there will be problems. Not only brand new car but brand new model. My fog light sticks on, but dealer will fix it. I love this car it is the best investment.

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  Better - 2016 Jeep Patriot
  By Bill - March 26 - 12:56 am

  From the professional reviews I read I didnt expect a lot. But the consumer reviews were all good. I had a liberty before this put 203000 miles on it and still loved it. She still looked good ran well but was starting to have tranny problems. So I took a patriot for a test drive and fell in love. The dealer was great and wanted to really sell it to me. But I wanted to test drive some of the competition. The competition were all beautiful SUVs if you want to call them that they drove like cars. A Jeep is made for a special person once that ride gets in your system there is nothing else that can satisfy. They are great vehicles and probably will be the only vehicles I own.

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  My first Jeep - 2007 Jeep Patriot
  By Mark - March 25 - 5:56 pm

  I have owned several SUVs and this one is by far better than any of them. Very comfortable to drive and very quiet on the highway. I bought this Jeep for its gas mileage, so far not as good as I hoped for but it only has 600 miles on it. A few things I dont understand is why it didnt come with cruise control? 6 disk CD and Sirius satellite but no cruise. Jeep needs to rethink there power packages. Also why no aux outlet for the more expensive radio? So far I love this Jeep!

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  My mistake to by a Jeep - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By unhappy with my Jeep - March 25 - 10:00 am

  Well, I was all excited to by my first Jeep, and what a mistake that turned out to be. The short test drive did not allow me to realize the things that would later make me hate it. The outside wind noise, the horrible vent system, the problems with the starter (on a new vehicle?), the dripping of fluids, the poor acceleration.... Well, I am now going to see how to get out of it with the least amount of damage to my pocketbook. Hey, anyone interested in a slightly used Jeep???

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  My New Jeep Review - 2004 Jeep Wrangler
  By Jeep Dude - March 24 - 2:00 am

  I just bought this in Florida and drove it up to NY. It drove like a champ. I love this Jeep. I have alot of improvement suggestions below, which might make you think I hate it, but I dont. Its fun to drive. Its good looking. Its cool. Its practicle if you live in the snowy section of this world. And the other day, a woman waved at me. Go figure? Maybe woman really do like Jeeps. Plus, next to a dog, it really is a mans favorite plaything. (not including woman, of course) ;)

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  My midlife crisis vehicle - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By falcon7 - March 24 - 2:00 am

  We have had our Jeep Liberty Renegade about a week now and both my wife and I love it. It has lots of power and is real fun to drive. The interior is well configured and has plenty of room. In researching this vehicle before I bought it, there were some complaints about the transmission hump getting in the way of the drivers legroom, we dont have any problems, (so Far)

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  I like it - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By markesmith - March 24 - 2:00 am

  A giant leap up in satisfaction from the 1998 Mercury Mountaineer I had. Fun to drive and I am very happy with my purchase

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  TRANSMISSION - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By HONEY - March 24 - 2:00 am

  OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT I HAD TO BRING IN MY JEEP WITH ONLY 1000 MILES ON THE ODEMETER FOR TRANSMISSION WORK, I LOVE IT. MY TRANNI PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A LOOSE CONNECTION. IT RIDES GREAT, IS QUICK, & CARRIES ALL 3 OF MY ST. BERNARDS. IM VERY HAPPY THAT I TRADED IN MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER FOR IT. WOULS HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS VEHICLE.

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  SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT THE FORD - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By JOHN D. - March 24 - 2:00 am

  THE RIDE IS TRUCK LIKE.THE FIT, FINISH, AND COLOR SELECTION IS GOOD. THE STANDARD V8 IS PEPPY, AND PULLS MY 5700LB BOAT AND TRAILER WITHOUT A PROBLEM.ITS GREAT IN DEEP SNOW, AND HANDLES SLIPPERY CONDITIONS WITH AUTHORITY.NOW THE PROBLEMS, THE WATER PUMP LEAKED AT 5000MILES. THE WINDSHEILD FOGS UP AT START UP WHEN COLD.THE ELECTRONIC DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR,THE DASH BOARD BEZEL,STEERING BOX, DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER, AND ENGINE IDLE CONTROL,ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 20600 MILES.THE A/C DOES NOT COOL THE VEHICLE AT SLOW SPEEDS.THE SEAM IN THE CENTER OF THE FRONT SEAT BOTTOMS TENDS TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE AT TIMES.