JEEP, Automotive Einstein's view on todays Jeep Trucks and SUV's

The origins of Jeep began back in World War II as the name of the now legendary four-wheel drive military vehicle produced by Willys-Overland and Ford for the U.S. Army.

The 1940’s also saw the introduction of the first civilian Jeep’s however these rugged, un-refined vehicles were marketed more towards farmers and construction workers as utility trucks, rather than everyday modes of transportation. The 1950’s and 1960’s saw many refinements for Jeep vehicles and more widespread public appeal for Jeep as an everyday car. Jeep debuted its Wagoneer in the 1960’s, the preamble for the modern day SUV. This vehicle was geared towards active families who needed something a bit more rugged than your everyday station wagon. Many ownership changes ensued for Jeep through the years. Willys-Overland sold to Kaiser in 1953, Kaiser to American Motors in the 1970’s, AMC to Chrysler in the late 1980’s, Chrysler to Dailmer in the 1990’s and eventually, Jeep was spun off with Chrysler to a private investment firm a few years ago. Through it all though, Jeep has continued to create fun to drive, rugged family conveyances that have become known as fearless, go anywhere vehicles.

The Truth About Cars » Jeep

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Review: 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 Monday, 5 July 2010, 3:05 pm

Behold the mighty off-road prowess of the Grand Cherokee SRT-8! Yes, my ratty-looking lawn is about as far off-road as most JGCs ever go. The 2011 Grand Cherokee even offers a couple of optimized drivetrain-and-suspension setups for those people who, as the nice Jeep PR man said during the introduction, “only go off-road… in [...]

The Truth About Cars » Jeep | Jack Baruth

Review: 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Friday, 2 July 2010, 2:00 pm

Several years ago, I paid heed to my inner child and attended Iron Maiden’s “Aces (Very) High Tour”. During one of the breaks, singer Bruce Dickinson said, “I don’t know what’s going on. We’re still making records, and I think they’re pretty good. But nobody on the radio wants to play them. They don’t play [...]

The Truth About Cars » Jeep | Jack Baruth

Used Review: 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Wednesday, 25 March 2009, 3:48 pm

“It’s a Jeep thing, you wouldn’t understand”. This was the vaguely condescending response I got when I queried my then-girlfriend and current wife about why in the world she would choose such an unrefined and slow mode of transportation. Surely, you can understand my point of view. I mean, the Jeep Wrangler is the ultimate, absolute antithesis of everything performance-related in the automotive world. Well, that is true so long as we are talking about road-going performance. Some, like my wife, get more excited about the prospect of slogging through mud and muck than teeter-tottering on the bare naked edge of control around a downhill decreasing-radius corner. And, for those who get their jollies in the dirt, the Wrangler Rubicon is the ultimate starting point for a true performance vehicle.

The Truth About Cars » Jeep | Jehovah Johnson

Review: (2007) Jeep Compass Take Two Friday, 19 December 2008, 2:00 pm

Walking up to the Jeep dealership, I nearly bumped into the Compass, idling in the gloom. Before I could assimilate its sheetmetal’s unintentional humor, Mike emerged from the fishbowl. His leather coat and tie were almost as dour as his face. My hand disappeared in his meaty paw as he greeted me with two words: “Take it.” My arched eyebrow worked its usual magic. “No really,” Mike insisted. “It’s got half a tank of gas. Take it for a long drive.” I waited for “and never come back.” No such luck. I mean, it would be lucky wouldn’t it? A free vehicle? I’d never driven a Compass. How bad could it be?

The Truth About Cars » Jeep | Robert Farago

Jeep Liberty Review Wednesday, 26 September 2007, 10:30 am

Buyers of the first generation KJ Liberty fell into two camps: those who appreciated the trucklet for its off-road, severe weather and towing capabilities; and those who thought it was adorable. Let’s face it: the oh-isn’t-it-darling? brigade made the Liberty a star; they drew it to their collective bosom like a Hollywood starlet clutching the only real friend she ever had (a Chihuahua). The Liberty became one of America’s hottest selling mini-SUVs. As fashion dictates, those days are gone. Upon the redesigned Liberty, dubbed the KK, Chrysler’s cute ute comeback hopes reside. But this time its neither fish nor foul.

The Truth About Cars » Jeep | William C Montgomery

Grand Cherokee Overland Diesel Review Monday, 2 July 2007, 12:34 pm

Every morning at 4:00 am, I’m woken by an automotive alarm clock. It’s the sound of my neighbor beginning his daily commute, firing-up his 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel Dodge Ram. The oil burner nestling in the pickup’s snout embodies all the characteristics that American car buyers of a certain age associate with Rudolph Diesel’s powerplant. It’s loud, dirty and smelly. Its rattle makes the vehicle vibrate like a cheap motel bed. Is in any wonder Jeep’s website doesn’t go out of its way to advertise the diesel option in its Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland? Yes and no.

The Truth About Cars » Jeep | William C Montgomery

Jeep Patriot Review Friday, 9 March 2007, 11:20 am

High gasoline prices, foreign wars in oil producing nations and fears of global warming have made fuel efficiency the new patriotism. Yet many Americans reject clown-sized economy cars and suppository shaped CUV’s and minivans. They cling to the outdoorsy lifestyle and the go-anywhere freedom embodied by rough-and-tumble SUV’s. In a second attempt to address these shifting values, Jeep has unveiled the Patriot. It's an SUV for gas conscious Americans! Actually, never mind all that. Please, oh please, just let it be better than the Compass.