Two Jeep Models Retirees Should Avoid At All Costs In 2026

The Jeep brand is not particularly ideal for retirees, especially since it is among the car brands that retirees could regret buying. Dependability is a big factor, with the Jeep brand ranking in the bottom three in JD Power's 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. In particular, retirees will want to avoid both the Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, as they rank among the least reliable popular SUVs on the market.

In its review of the Grand Cherokee, Edmunds cited a jerky car driving experience — with heavy steering and sub-par air suspension ensuring a rough ride for retirees. Similarly, steering issues with the Wrangler mean the vehicle can easily veer out of its lane. The Wrangler also has a slow engine and poor braking performance. Given these issues, it is worth noting that Jeep isn't among the most cost-effective car brands, meaning maintenance costs can be a significant factor on a retiree's fixed-income. 

CarEdge estimates that it costs $3,512 and $3,505 to maintain the Grand Cherokee and Wrangler over five years, respectively. On average, this translates to about $700 in annual maintenance for both. In comparison, a midsize SUV averages $573 a year in upkeep expenses, according to Autoblog. Meanwhile, maintenance costs only account for a small share of five-year ownership costs for the Grand Cherokee and Wrangler — at $59,767 and $47,270, respectively.

Depreciation accounts for the largest share of ownership costs for both Jeep models. According to CarEdge, the Grand Cherokee loses $26,213 in value in its first five years, with depreciation accounting for 44% of total ownership costs during that period. CarEdge also ranks the Grand Cherokee as one of the most popular cars with the worst five-year resale value. Fixed-income seniors may find the Grand Cherokee's depreciation costs particularly high, especially compared to other SUVs with better resale values. Meanwhile, the Wrangler loses $14,116 in value over the same five years, representing 30% of its ownership costs during that period, per CarEdge. 

Fuel costs are another factor for retirees to consider, especially amid increased gas prices. Edmunds scored both the 2026 Grand Cherokee and Wrangler poorly for fuel efficiency. According to FuelEconomy.gov, the 2026 Grand Cherokee gets the midsize SUV average of 23 miles per gallon (mpg) combined, while the 2026 Wrangler gets 21 mpg combined. These figures put them below all vehicles on U.S. News & World's 2026 ranking of mid-size SUVs with the best gas mileage.