Best and Worst Things About Owning a Jeep

Looking for a vehicle able to handle all types of weather or road conditions? Jeeps motor through the worst weather, be it snow or rain, and through challenging terrains like sand or rocks. Your Jeep will keep you safe through every bump in the road.

Sure, any car gets you across slick suburban streets and highways with little trouble. But with a Jeep, you can venture off onto tougher, unpaved paths. In fact, the Jeep is specifically made for off-road forays.

Every car breaks down, including Jeeps. But if you need a new part, you won’t have to go far or wait long to get back into your car. Jeep parts are readily available across the U.S., making it a breeze to repair your vehicle.

If you’re looking for an American-made car, a Jeep is your best bet. In its 2021 analysis of how much of a car is made in the U.S., Cars.com ranked five Jeep models – the Jeep Cherokee, the Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, Jeep Wrangler 4XE, and Gladiator – within the Top 20 in its American-Made Index.

Jeep owners are a loyal and enthusiastic bunch, and they share their love of their transport with other like-minded drivers. That’s why they gather at yearly events like the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, where Jeepsters from all over the world congregate.

Although Jeeps are well suited for off-roading, the vehicles are just as good for a trip to the grocery store. Wherever you want to go, your Jeep will take you there safely and comfortably.

Think top-notch heating and cooling only come in a luxury car? Think again. Jeeps feature outstanding AC and heating systems to keep you comfy in all temperatures.

The cornering abilities of a Jeep make them ideal for rocky terrain. But those same handling powers make the vehicles a stable, easy-to-drive option for paved roadways, too.

Of course, you’ll never want to sell or trade in your Jeep. But if you do, you can expect a great resale value. Noting its durability and reliability, iSeeCars.com ranked the Jeep Wrangler No. 1 as the Best Used Small SUV. You’ll pocket about $40,000 if you decide to part with your three-year-old Jeep.

To get the durability and versatility of a Jeep, you’ll pay a hefty price. And if you want to customize your vehicle, you’ll pay even more. But for some, it may be worth it to own a legendary car. Jeep Wranglers are also more expensive because not many cars are made with a solid front axle and electronic sway bar disconnects that make them so good for off-roading. They are also one of the few cars with all-terrain tires. So with little competition, Jeep can set a higher price. The 2022 Jeep Compass – the brand’s lowest priced model – has an MSRP of $26,785 to $34,210. Not overly expensive, but not cheap, either.

According to Edmunds.com, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4-door, all-wheel drive gets an estimated combined city/highway gas mileage of 20 mpg. The model gets 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. Compare that to another, smaller SUV, the 2021 RAV4 Hybrid, which has a 40 mpg combined fuel economy. With higher gas prices, you may need to take the extra dollars in consideration when buying a Jeep.

When U.S. News & World Report ranked the 15 safest car brands for 2022, Jeep didn’t make the cut. Yet in 2021, the Jeep Cherokee came in second for safest small SUVs with a safety score of 9.5 out of 10.

If you mean to own your car for many years – and more drivers are doing that – you’ll want a reliable vehicle for the long haul. Unfortunately, here’s where Jeeps may fall short. When J.D. Power released its 2022 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, Jeep didn’t make the list. Instead, Kia, Genesis, Hyundai, Buick, and Toyota reported fewer problems. Specifically, the differential mechanism that allows a pair of wheels to move at different speeds can be problematic. The parts are costly to replace, too.

Heading out on a long excursion? Maybe a Jeep isn’t your best choice. What makes Jeeps good off-road vehicles works against them on longer trips. The autos can be cramped and uncomfortable for an extended stretch on the road.

As mentioned previously, the average resale value for a three-year-old Jeep Wrangler is about $40,000. Great for the seller, but not so much for the buyer. To compare, a new, equally rugged 2022 Ford Bronco goes for much less at $29,300.

One of Jeep’s most popular lines is the Cherokee. But Native American groups say it has echoes of racism and have asked the manufacturer to change it. Last year, Carlos Tavares, the CEO of Jeep parent Stellantis, said he didn’t know if there was a problem. “But if there is one, well, of course we will solve it,” he added. The brand name still stands.

In tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler received a rollover probability grade of 29.70% and a score of 3 out of 5 for rollover risk, raising the likelihood the car could flip over. During crash simulations supervised by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the vehicle inverted. Despite those results, the Jeep Wrangler is nevertheless a safe car on the road. n the road.