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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  Power Transfer Unit Problems - 2014 Jeep Cherokee
  By NY_Girl - February 10 - 8:43 am

  Bought a 2014 Trailhawk at the end of the year. We are now at less than 7000 miles on it and the Power Transfer Unit is toast. Back to the dealership and they expect to have it a week. Prior to this issue, I had no major complaints. Beast in the snow and not bad on gas. The interior makes you feel like you are in a much more expensive vehicle. The heated steering wheel gets a little too warm and wish there was a little more headroom...minor issues until the PTU problems. Dealership said we were not the first ones to have this problem. Little consolation though. Hope Jeep figures it out!

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  Window regulators - 2006 Jeep Liberty
  By stephanie - February 8 - 1:20 pm

  Ive had my jeep since 2006. Ive had to replace 3 window regulators already and now the fourth has gone out. The regulators should have been recalled and fixed. I called to get a price on a new regulator and its gone from 64.00 to 167.00 for the part which is ridiculous! I went through 4-5 recalls the first year I had this vehicle. I did really want to have a jeep now I cant wait to get rid of it. I will NEVER buy another jeep! What was supposedly once a great vehicle to have has become a cheaply made piece of crap. Ive heard from so many people that theyve had the same problems with the windows! Plus now my vehicle is only worth half of what I still owe on it. Horrible resale value!

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  2005 Grand Cherokee - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Dr.Scott13 - February 4 - 6:43 am

  2005 Grand Cherokee, purchased used 2006 w/ 29,000. Was fine until 35,000 and the Tranny Blew! Heard about it, read about it and then experienced. Love the ride, the storage, but cant get past the transmission problems. Would like to buy another Jeep, but cant forget the burn it gave me the first time. Sorry cant recommend, unless you have $3,000 for a Transmission.

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  Major Disappointment - 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By disappointed - January 29 - 3:43 pm

  I love my JEEP-- If only it was built better! I love the look, the feel (except the doors do tend to spring back on you). Now if only the engine and transmission were worth 2 cents. Bought it brand new and it started leaking in TWO separate areas immediately. First time I brought it into the dealership they said there was no leak (tell that to my previously spotless driveway) they fixed one leak but refuse to acknowledge the other! They even tried to tell me it was normal run off! worst service dept I have ever dealt with. wont buy another vehicle from that dealership EVER, Id rather walk.

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  ONE CATASTROPHE AFTER ANOTHER - 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By karma90 - January 28 - 8:23 pm

  I have a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, Automatic, 2WD, the vehicle starts up perfectly but then instantly dies.Not a sputter nothing its like it just loses spark.The power works fine, the dash lights come on,no problem, automatic & manual head lights work great so far.Power windows and door locks work,my interior lights work.Gas light comes on,but theres gas in the jeep.None of the gauges move at all.After trying to start it multiple times there is no sort of clicking from inside my vehicle like when my alternator went out & my battery kept dying.I recently replaced the alternator 2 days ago.I replaced transmission catalytic converter,muffler,& major tune up 6 weeks ago. PLEASE HELP

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  NEVER AGAIN! DONT BUY JEEP! - 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By thensum - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Just had the rotors done again(3x in 3 yrs) brakes, and axle(s) rear and front. This is a big problem for jeep and they dont admit to it. I just spent so much money trying to fix the axle and it still didnt sound right so i junked it and bought a highlander. It was too scary to drive after that. Just didnt feel safe and didnt want to put more money into fixing it. Only 56253 miles on it!! I want a car to last at least 100k. Its too bad, though, because i liked the ruggedness of the jeep but not the quality.

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  A Sure Footed Lemmon - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By RobertNevada - January 14 - 8:30 am

  Hmm, lets see, replaced the body control module, $600; three power windows, $400 each, power steering pump $450, rear wiper $400, engine (should have never done it) $5,000. When they told me it would be $2,500 for a new catalytic converter, I bought an 2008 Civic. Priceless. I loved the idea of my Liberty -- hated the reality.

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  Frustrated!!! - 2009 Jeep Patriot
  By jstacy0320 - January 11 - 9:35 pm

  I have had my Patriot for almost two years and am extremely aggravated. After having it for three months I started to experience trouble. I would be sitting at a stoplight waiting for it to change green and the car would start to sputter and act like it was going to die. Several times it did actually die. I took it to the dealership and was told that I had trash in the gas tank and it wasnt covered under warranty. Paid close to $300 for that and continue to have the same problem. I also have problems with the sunroof leaking. Ive had it in the shop three times for that problem and continue to have issues. Probably going to file Lemon law because of all the issues.

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  not good car - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By mike - January 9 - 8:33 pm

  This car always had some problem, I had to have a computer mod replaced twice the breaks went bad after 32k miles the front wheel bearing went bad the ball join, the control arm and the tie rods. This all went bad about a month after the car was out of warranty I would not buy another jeep product. I also have a wrangler that has had a bunch of problems.

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  Jeepy - 2012 Jeep Compass
  By Vehicle Salesman - January 1 - 3:41 am

  Not to bad for price, steering very tight , like a Nascar, to tight for me. Brakes ! mercy still cant get rid of the squeaking when backing up, they were replaced at like 10k , still have noises. believe the rotors get damp and rust over nite ( in garage) , if too early in morning , you need to put lite pressure on brakes as you back up, that helps muffle the squeaks. Problems we had seemed a bit early for miles, latest was the turn signal switch ( whole stick) , when you put left turn on , the interior lites blinked ( no warrranty) R&R stick $94.00 LR Hub Bearing (now warranty ) wear item ( ha ha , fast wear) we have 47740 miles on the vehicle. Bearing $243.00 one not all four. Hope the others spread time out a bit. Replaced original tires at 47140 miles also ( not too bad for factory tires) All in all not bad except for the Hub repair. I sold GMC/Chev/ Jeeps for over 40 years, first Jeep, might be the last. Oh, I called factory customer service , kinda waste time , didnt even ask for Vin Number. Good Luck