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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  Rubicon - Get Some! - 2007 Jeep Wrangler
  By Josephus - March 3 - 8:13 pm

  Ive owned my 2007 Unlimited Rubicon for 60 days now and I love it! Offroad this thing is King. Everyone is amazed how well it rides on the street and trail. The automatic is geared a little high (so get the 4:10 gears) but gets 22-23mpg on the highway. The best part of this Jeep is the space and family sized comfort. Its definitely a "Jeep" interior, and everything is manual regarding the tops. But it is so much fun! Ive taken it to the beach 3 times so far, and Ive got 2 weeks coming up. Many new safety features have made this thing safer.

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  Jeep Grand Cherokee with no complaints - 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Weez - February 29 - 7:43 am

  One of the better vehicles I have ever owned. It reminds me of my 72 Nova but without all the problems, and I never had to keep tools onboard. Nice firm ride on the road and great off road ride. Handles all the bumps and ditches with ease. The only complaint I have is the location of the overdrive cutoff switch. It was hard to see. I like this Grand Cherokee so much that I bought another in 2004.

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  2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4WD 4DR- Dk Blu - 2001 Jeep Cherokee
  By deagan - February 28 - 10:00 am

  great car, a little better on gas on the highway, a/c kills acceleration unless gas tank is over 1/2 full, fun to drive, great acceleration w/o a/c on, body moldings on rear bumber arent the best quality and def. get new floor mats

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  Poor Longevity - 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By iso_dexter - February 28 - 10:00 am

  We have had no problems with any part of our Jeep.....other than mechanical & electrical. We spend around $1200 a year in maintenance stemming from one of the two. Granted the majority of the cost involved is labor, but who has a full service auto repair shop in their garage? Working in the engine area of the Jeep is tight quarters! Dont get me wrong - We love our Jeep,expenses and all! Watch out for the main ABS control unit - its a lemon!

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  JGC is sublime bliss - 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By vicmas29 - February 28 - 10:00 am

  The Grand Cherokee is not for everyone... Its a Jeep thing, you wouldnt understand!

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  Greatly Dissappointed - 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Mychel - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I purchase my Jeep new in 2001. I have less than 30,000 miles on it, and since I took possession I have had the suv in the shop 7 times for major problems (same ones over and over). The steering column replaced twice, rotors replaced, fuel pump replaced and best of all it goes into the shop again tommorrow for the same problems. I did my homework and gave the dealership a list of the service bullentins I pulled of the internet the last time when I was told since I was a female I didnt know what I was talking about when explaining my issues. Sounds like since I have a lease, I need to just turn my keys in and let them have the headache.

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  This Vehicle is a Lot of Fun - 2003 Jeep Wrangler
  By SKenyon45 - February 28 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is really fun to drive and has a supringly great amount of comfort for a vehicle that is based on the premise that it will be used off road. The factory installed enhancements, normally installed after market, are engineered as a system, so this car doesnt misbehave, even at speeds up to 75 mph.

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  Kudos for Jeep - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By Wendy P. - February 28 - 10:00 am

  The 2003 Jeep Limited is my second Liberty. A few weeks before I purchased this one, my 2002 Liberty was totaled in an accident when a driver ran through a red light and hit me. The engine took the brunt of the hit -- I didnt. Im convinced the rugged construction saved me. And the Liberty is extremely comfortable on my 5-hour trips to Vermont. It handles well, is a blast to drive, and, after all, its a Jeep. It can go just about anywhere my heart desires. Want fun? Take a Jeep off the beaten track and see what it can do. I love my Jeep Liberty!!

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  Overview of Jeep Liberty - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By Lynn Kirk - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I love my Jeep Liberty. Found that I need to be careful on slippery roads, but it has a lot of get up and go and is fun to drive.

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  interrior - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By kim allison - February 28 - 10:00 am

  seats are cloth and must not have been scotguarded as cleaning them with plain water leaves a stain as large as the water applied have had them steamed cleaned once and they need it again i have alway been able to keep my vechile seats clean but not these seats also interrior lights flash on and off while driving and all door are shut other than that i like my jeep but if the seat ploblem is common to this vechile i would not buy another one i reguested cloth seats because i have children an do not care for leather