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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  2015 Jeep cherokee Sport - 2015 Jeep Cherokee
  By Jerry - October 1 - 3:55 pm

  1) SounD system Stopped working within 10k miles (it comes and go) 2) At 41k Transmission Failed (Dealer Said they have a week back log on transmission problems) meaning there are a good number with similar problems. 3) Suspension Rattles

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  Death trap - 2008 Jeep Commander
  By Brandess Feuchster - May 9 - 3:13 am

  Stalling on me more and more the piece of Crap wont give any trouble codes. Despite my jeep lined up with the one that has parts recalled I have been told by the dealership couldnt be it (translation WE WONT LOOK) lets look for different causes.Needless to say they have found NO OTHER CAUSES.

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  DO NOT PURCHASE - 2015 Jeep Cherokee
  By Rachel OBrien - August 28 - 10:20 pm

  Bought 2015 Cherokee for my daughter to have a safe reliable vehicle when she left for college. That plan definitely did not work out as she has been stranded hours away from us twice now!!! The transmission is shot! This is absolutely unacceptable! Chrysler obviously knows there is a problem, yet they keep on selling them. This is going to cost someone their life if it has not already. The jeep stalls and jerks when in motion.

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  Second Transmission Stinks Too - 2007 Jeep Wrangler
  By Paid for by Xhubby - December 30 - 1:36 am

  Only 4K miles and now looking at a possible third transmission. Have been without the car for more than 5 weeks. An annoying rattle turned into a much larger problem: I would depress the clutch, the shifter would then pop out of gear into neutral without even touching it. Then, while driving and in gear, the shifter would simply pop out and into neutral. No clutch action necessary. Now on the second transmission. Very loud all around gearbox; difficult to shift--esp into third. Last night, went to start it: depressed clutch and stepped once on gas pedal and released: next thing I know, engine totally revs like I am still stepping on the gas! SCARY! I just want a replacement--auto trans now!

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  Several Problems - Water and Automatic Transmission - 2007 Jeep Patriot
  By ondago - December 24 - 9:03 pm

  Bought this vehicle brand new in the summer of 2007. The first ice storm that winter, I got water leaking in through the sun roof to the interior lights which then went all over the dashboard through the radio and electronics. Dealer took care of the problem under warranty. At only 125,000 kms (less than 3 years old) I had to replace the transmission. Dealer also took care of this even though the car wasnt under warranty - I paid the value of labor. Still the transmission slips on acceleration, not sure how long this one will last. Dealership has been fantastic but will admit the vehicle itself is a bit of a lemon but I love the brand Jeep. So very disappointed in this vehicle.

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  No More Jeeps! - 2006 Jeep Commander
  By No More! - December 22 - 9:03 pm

  I bought 06 Commander new, when gas was still under two bucks/gallon. Shame on me. The best Ive ever gotten is 13 city and 15 on the highway. Leaking windshield and sunroof like many others have described. Id like to meet the engineer that designed the drainage from roof to door jam; open the door after a rain and you get your feet get soaking wet! Ices up in winter and door wont open, leaked in dash. Ive always been "light" on the brakes, and usually get over 60K before replacing same, not on this one. Brakes are gone at 29K. Lately, electrical system has caused car to die in the road. Interior materials around leather are cheap; cloth stains with just plain water spill

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  Please review nhtsa.gov website...this vechile stalls without warning - 2011 Jeep Patriot
  By jeeppatriot1 - December 22 - 10:36 am

  I own a 2011 Jeep Patriot and it stalled on HWY. I have in 30 years never replaced a transmission at 123K miles (HWY miles) I have already replaced my transmission. In addition, each time I have taken it in to get tires rotated and new tires I am told the treads are not "wearing down consistantly" this cause load noise with each rotation, even with new tires the same problem happened. I have replaced sway arm, ball joints, wheel bearing. I live in WI, its cold, but never had I had a window crack from the cold and Ive lived her my whole life. Please if you are looking to purchase this vechile I beg for your saftey go to:nhtsa.gov web site to see saftey problems with this Jeep!

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  Stay Away from the 2008 Jeep Patriot - 2008 Jeep Patriot
  By autumnrose - December 20 - 10:52 am

  I have replaced everything in the front end of this vehicle. I have owned it 6 months and in that 6 months, stab links, barrings, ball joints, inner and outer tie rods, struts (twice), the spark plugs and it needs coils but there 40$ a piece have not got there yet. Now after the front end problems it still creaks and squeaks it makes crazy sounds. it likes to hesitate when you push the gas. It just wont go and it stutters like it wants to stall but it does not YET. i dont get it and no garages do either. One said it was a misfire in the piston. GREAT! i would not recommend this vehicle to anyone. it makes so many sounds and even after it is all "fixed" it still remains making unknown sounds

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  4 More months.......... - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Ex-Jeepman - December 20 - 12:23 am

  Leased my GC in April 07. This is my 3rd Jeep, loved my first two, and hey, this new GC looked sweet. Yeah, well that lasted about a year. The seats are stained because my water bottle leaked on them. The tranny shimmies instead of downshifting. I have a burn on my forehead because the check engine light has been on so many times. Sometimes it wont shift, or gets stuck in overdrive when at a stop. Have taken it in for service 3 times now, and they always tell me nothing is wrong and they reset the computer, then 2 miles down the road the light comes back on. I was told it needs a new tranny computer and they dont order them unless it is a real problem....hmmm....Im buying a Toyota

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  Am I the only one?? 2008 Liberty Sport 4x4 - 2008 Jeep Liberty
  By jrramzak - December 15 - 2:33 pm

  I bought my 2008 Jeep Liberty Sport brand new. As my first big purchase as an adult all on my own, I could not have been more excited about this vehicle. However, in the 4 years I have owned it, I have realized that this was the worst mistake of my life. At first, it was the four wheel drive that took a crap, and having never had a chance to use the four wheel drive yet, i was surprised. Then came the Sky Slider leak, and the interior light leak, followed by all four tires dry rotting out causing me to blow a tire while driving. Yet the tires still had at minimum 40% tread left. Then heater core died followed by the blower motor, then we had to replace a computer chip that was causing my